Points Newsletter - April 2005

For centuries the healing art of acupuncture has been practiced on animals. The origin of acupuncture dates back to ancient China. The Chinese regularly practiced acupuncture on horses then gradually tried it on other farm animals and finally dogs, cats and birds. This form of healing work is based around bio-energy or Qi (See Shiatsu for a more detailed explanation of Qi). Acupuncture serves to unblock Qi energy and in so doing boosts the immune system which aids in self-healing. Acupuncture causes the body to release endorphins and hormones while at the same time decreasing inflammation both internally and externally.

Proper rest is essential to good health, and sleeplessness is a sign of imbalance. If your sleep is habitually disturbed it can be very damaging to the vital energy of the body and immune system. If this is the case it is important that you inform your acupuncturist so that you can work together to determine the cause of the imbalance and treat it appropriately. You will be amazed at how a good night's sleep can change your life. With more rest your energy and focus improve, the immune system and your body's ability to deal with stress are strengthened, and nagging health conditions resolve more easily.

So I'm sitting around late one night and it occurs to me that some of you reading this forum may still be wondering exactly what this funny foreign concept, "Qi" really means...

Of course I already know you can easily go to Amazon.com or some search engine and find dozens, possibly hundreds of books and other references for Qi (Chi) and Qi Gong (Chi Kung or qigong), but you're here now, so what can I tell you that you are unlikely to find in some book or video...

Hmm...