Understanding Energy and Acupuncture

When it comes to understanding acupuncture and how it works, you will find that an understanding of the complete process known as "qui" is necessary. Qi runs through the body, and anything that happens to the body is a result of something such as an illness or even changing your diet and eating better is a result of the qi being affected. Acupuncture is the process of placing needles that are no thicker than a strand of hair on different parts of your body so that the flow of your qi can be affected for the better. These needles are in fact used to heal and unblock the flow of your qi. The idea of qi or the flow of energy in the body can be a difficult one for Westerners to understand and accept, however, if you break it up into easily understandable concepts it's not so difficult.

First it's important to understand that there are five different kinds of qi energy, qi, jing, xue, jin ye, and finally shen. Qi is roughly translated as "matter-energy." It is responsible for the movements in the universe and is a vital part of you being able to maintain good health. Some equate qi with the soul. Traditionally, according acupuncture, your spirit is located in your heart.

Jing is most closely translated as "essence" in English, however, there is no exact translation. Jing is like DNA in that it is inherited, and you are also able to create your own by eating particular foods, and through the air that you breathe. Because of this, Jing can in some ways be termed "health" since you receive some of it through your genetics, and some through how you take care of yourself with diet and breathing fresh air. Jing also affects your own health and the health of your children based on the lifestyle choices you make.

Xue means literally, "blood" and is the liquid that flows in the blood and through the qi or energy of your body. The health of hte qui and the xue are dependent upon one another. Jin Ye is also easier to understand in that it is a tangible thing, "body fluids." These fluids include milk, tears, saliva, genetical secretions, stomach fluids, sweat and any other liquids that are produced by your body.

Acupuncture is one method by which you can treat the energies of your body, and help to create a healthy body. The energies are important because they help you develop body heat, defend against illness, control the body's blood and organs, grow and develop, and finally break down the body's metabolism. When you have regular acupuncture appointments, you will be able to release all of the negative energy from your qi.