What is Chi and what does it do?
One English translation of the word Chi means energy, and though Chi is invisible, its presence becomes especially apparent in the workings of the bodily organs and systems which require prodigious amounts of energy. Yet the Chinese view Chi not only as powering a function, they see it as inseparable from function as though there’s no Chi without function and no function without Chi.
Chi is also known as the life force, and since the total absence of Chi is death, obviously one’s good health depends on a balanced distribution of Chi throughout the meridian network that influences the organs as well as the bodily systems: skeletal, muscular, endocrine (glands), circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, and nervous. When Chi flows smoothly and harmoniously throughout the meridians, each bodily system and organs, which in turn are independent, interrelated, and integrated. Everything works together to make us feel whole and healthy, thanks to Chi.
What happens when the flow of Chi becomes blocked?
Chi is meant to flow freely throughout the meridian network carrying its balanced vital force to all the body’s parts, organs, and systems, thereby encouraging them to function with each other in a natural, harmonious way. That leads to sound health. But any sustained blockage or other disruption of a balanced flow or distribution of Chi may bring on pain, a weakened immune system, and ill health.
It’s important to realize that while such blockage causes diminished Chi in one organ or part, it may also cause excessive buildup of Chi in another area. That phenomenon can be understood by visualizing a meridian carrying Chi as like a freeway carrying cars. On a freeway we know what happens when one or more lanes become blocked. It’s a similar idea on a meridian. A blockage may cause a deficiency of Chi beyond the blockage and a buildup of Chi behind the blockage, which may mean diminished activity of some organs and accelerated activity of others. Either way, Chi is unbalanced, so its flow must be normalized through an acupuncturist’s skilled expert care.
Call Natural Acupuncture today to schedule your initial consultation and examination and make the first step to balancing your flow of Chi!