What is the theoretical basis of Eastern Medicine?
Eastern medicine views the person as a whole. On the horizontal plane, there are the different parts of the body, such as the head, trunk, muscles, organs, tendons and etc. On the vertical plane, there are the various levels of existence, such as the physical body, and also energy, mental, intuitive, and spiritual bodies. These two planes are linked and communication is exchanged via “Qi”, pronounced “Chi” in Chinese, meaning the vital force of life. This vital force, though not able to be seen, touched, smelled or quantified by lay people; it is a real and strong force which can be felt and accessed by experienced health care practitioners, or people who practice the internal martial art of Qigong. “Qi” originates from the organs and travels in channels called “meridians”. The pathways of Qi are usually deep in the tissues; however, at certain spots they surface up to the skin. These spots are called “acupuncture points”. By accessing specific acupuncture points, the healing energy ca
