If you’re new to acupuncture, you’re probably excited, curious—and honestly, maybe a little confused about some of the terminology. That’s okay! We’re here to help you understand exactly how and why acupuncture can help you achieve the best health of your life.

And to start off on your healing journey, perhaps the most important term to know is qi.

Acupuncture Today defines qi as:

  • Vibration

  • Oscillation of the meridians.

  • What carries the effect of acupuncture from one acupoint to other parts of the body.

Another way of saying it is:

Qi is the energetic, life-giving vibration that flows through and connects different parts of the body.

What’s more is that qi is considered to be a vital energy—the “life force” that flows through us. That’s why acupuncturists say that when your qi is blocked, you feel discomfort. The proper flow of qi—vital energy—means that your organs are able to function like they are supposed to.

If you do yoga, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the concept of prana, which is very similar to qi. In fact, cultures all over the world have similar concepts for the force or vibration that gives life and health to our bodies. Just think—our ancestors all across the world arrived at very similar conclusions about the force that gives us health and life! And to this day, millions of people still reap the benefits of this wisdom through acupuncture treatments.

Concepts such as qi may seem confusing at first, but the more time you spend learning about acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the more logical they become. After all, acupuncture is an ancient art and science that’s lasted millennia because it works.

We encourage you to ask us your questions about qi. We love talking about acupuncture!