The concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”) is at the center of Chinese Medicine. While there is not an exact, adequate translation, Western culture translates “Qi” as “life force” or “energy”. Qi is what every living entity possesses and is what is accessed with the acupuncture needles.

Qi is everywhere in the body and flows through channels or meridians on which the acupuncture points are found.

The basis of acupuncture is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: “Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong” which means “free flow: no pain, no free flow: pain.” Acupuncture is used to reestablish the proper flow of qi in the body to regain health.