Second Opinion

Question: What two-letter word from traditional Chinese medicine is also popular with Scrabble players?

Answer: QI

According to traditional Chinese medicine, “QI” (pronounced “chee”) is the fundamental energy or “life force” that flows through us. Somewhat ironically, Scrabble players caught with a “Q” without a “U” near the end of a close game may experience some of that positive “life force” when they get to slap down a “QI” for the win. Before delving into QI’s role in traditional Chinese medicine, we should mention that “KA” is the spiritual part of a person’s soul, and “LI” is a Chinese measure of distance—both among the more than 100 two-letter words acceptable in Scrabble.

Now let’s put the game board away and take a look at Eastern medicine, where QI is a bit more than the life force flowing through our bodies—it’s actually considered the vital energy force that runs through everything that exists on our planet.

Traditional Chinese medicine—it’s all about going with the flow

Dating back at least 23 centuries, QI is the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), one of world’s oldest medical systems. Its sole aim is to prevent or heal disease by maintaining or restoring the body’s “yin/yang” balance. QI flows through the body and circulates through channels called “meridians,” and as long as the QI flows smoothly, we remain healthy and are able to resist illness. When there is a disturbance of the flow of QI, when there is too much or too little of it, or when the polarity between yin and yang is unbalanced, we get ill. So basically, all traditional Chinese medicine is concerned with diagnosing the location of this imbalance and providing a treatment to restore the correct flow of energy.

After a healer makes a diagnosis, there are several ways of restoring that flow of QI in traditional Chinese medicine. One is acupuncture, which also dates back more than two centuries. The point of acupuncture (so to speak) is inserting thin needles into specific places along those channels we just mentioned (meridians), which stimulate and readjust the flow of QI to balance the body’s yin and yang. Just as effective, a type of massage called acupressure can be used to stimulate the same acupuncture points—sans needles.

And then there’s moxibustion, a kind of heat therapy that’s been used since about 500 BC. It involves mugwort leaves that are dried and ground into small sticks or cones called moxa (kind of like incense), which are then lit and placed on acupuncture points to work their magic. Indirect moxibustion, more common in the U.S., is where the moxa never touches your skin. Direct moxa readjusts the flow of QI while you experience pleasant sensations of heat and warmth, but not pain—assuming the practitioner removes it before it begins to burn or blister.

Another treatment method to restore harmony is cupping, where hot glass cups are placed on a patient to draw blood to the skin. But no matter what technique is prescribed, the Chinese healer has one more tool in his doctor’s bag ...

Take two scorpions and see me in the morning—the traditional Chinese pharmacy

If you’ve never been to a traditional Chinese pharmacy (really, an apothecary), we strongly recommend you do so. As far removed from a Walgreens or CVS as you can imagine, you’ll feel like you walked into a natural history museum. There are hundreds of cabinet drawers and glass cases packed with thousands of medicinal plants, loose herbs, roots, and bark; along with desiccated animal parts—ranging from snakes and scorpions to insects and deer antlers.

Depending on what ails you, the healer may prescribe a brew that can be prepared by combining some of this staggering array of ingredients to restore harmony. Many of the prescriptions for specific ailments are drawn from a 16th-century medical book that lists close to 2,000 drugs and some 11,000 formal prescriptions.

Western and Eastern medicine do seem a world apart. But there’s at least one element of KI that is widely accepted in the Western world ...

QI is what put the “chee” in Tai chi

Originally developed as a martial art, Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese mind-body practice that combines slow, fluid movements, deep breathing, and a meditative state. Medical research has confirmed the health benefits of Tai Chi as an effective low-impact exercise for stress reduction, physical conditioning, and rehabilitation. QI, of course, is a central concept in Tai Chi, as well as Qigong, which is a precursor to Tai Chi. Qigong is a form of meditation based on Taoist philosophical principles that feature controlled breathing techniques along with simple, repetitive, graceful movements. Many people consider Tai Chi a form of Qigong (which roughly translates to “QI cultivation)—and both practices manipulate the body’s QI.

When people in the West visit an acupuncturist and are told their QI is blocked, it often elicits some serious eye rolling. But anyone who does yoga is undoubtedly familiar with the concept of “prana,” which is basically the same thing. Cultures all over the world have similar concepts for the force or vibration that gives life and keeps our bodies healthy. The bottom line is that millions of people continue to reap the benefits of the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine.

Western science has conducted numerous studies to learn how traditional Chinese medicine works, but it is difficult to use a Western yardstick to measure the benefits of Eastern medicine. Something to keep in mind is that while science is unable to verify QI’s existence, that does not affirm its nonexistence. And if QI didn’t exist, what are all those poor Scrabble players going to do?!

More fascinating facts about QI and traditional Chinese medicine

• Going, going, Qigong—During China’s Cultural Revolution, the practice of Qigong was briefly banned due to its spiritual and religious aspects and its links to the Falon Gong movement. It has been reintegrated into Chinese society and is once again considered an essential component of traditional Chinese medicine.
• Wealth prevention—Royal doctors in ancient China were only paid when their patients remained healthy. Payment stopped if patients got sick, motivating doctors to focus on the prevention of disease.
• This might sting a bit—Ancient acupuncture needles were difficult to insert. A 17th-century blind acupuncturist from Japan named Waichi Sugiyama is credited with inventing the modern guide tube (placing a needle inside a tube and then tapping it into the skin), allowing for much easier, painless insertion.
• This might hurt a lot—The very first acupuncture needles were made of stone called Bian Shi (stone needle). Much later, they were fashioned from iron and bronze, or even silver and gold. Some practitioners still use silver or gold, but most opt for stainless steel.
• But he’s still not a crook—During President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1971, one of the accompanying media journalists, James Reston, developed appendicitis, requiring immediate surgery. His recovery was aided by acupuncture, which he wrote about The New York Times. For most Americans, this is considered the first exposure to traditional Chinese medicine.
• Has locations of the stars’ homes, too—In around 300 BC, traditional Chinese medicine produced one of the world’s oldest medical textbooks, the Huang Di Nei Jing, which maps out precisely where on the body to place acupuncture needles.
• Your insurance still won’t cover it—Many of today’s modern drugs were derived from traditional Chinese medicine. For example, the asthma medicine ephedrine was created from a traditional Chinese herb called mahuang.
• I thought nana invented that—Many home remedies such as treating high fevers with a cool bath or washcloth, pressing down on your temple to alleviate a headache, using herbs like lavender oil to calm your senses, or taking honey to soothe a cough are all derived from traditional Chinese medicine.
• Hey, no tongues!—At some point an acupuncturist is likely to ask to take a look at your tongue. This is because the tongue has much to reveal about your overall health and the functioning of specific organ systems. Variations in the color, shape, coating, and texture will provide hints to the practitioner about a disharmony that may be occurring in your body.
• WHO did that?—In 2003, the World Health Organization published the results of an extensive study of acupuncture. In it, researchers confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture treatment in helping to alleviate some 200 symptoms and health conditions.

Learn about traditional ways to balance your QI during New! China’s Imperial Cities, Natural Splendor & Modern Marvels.