The ludicrous sensibility and practicality of describing theories from Traditional Chinese Medicine through the lens of Quantum Biology makes an exciting starting point.
Written by Dr. Kitt Chojnicki-Hill, DAOM, AP
The ludicrous sensibility and practicality of describing theories from Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM, through the lens of Quantum Biology, makes an exciting starting point at which to begin an odyssey through tradition, science, history, and the future of medicine in general.
Qi Flow and Acupuncture Channels According to Ancient Chinese Medicine
One of the Classic Chinese texts, the Spiritual Pivot, discusses the meaning of Jing Lou, Channels and Collaterals, the network that supports the flow of Qi throughout an organism. It is essential to look at the literal translation: Jing is a "water channel" and Lou is "net." The translation "net" can be extrapolated to network to truly describe all of the interconnections the "water channels" make throughout the body, a water channel network. Throughout the text, the channels also are referenced as circuits, conduits, and capacitors; these are pathways or components that are usually associated with electricity (Deadman et al., 2001).
The description of Qi flowing like water continues with the discussion on the Five Shu Points. These are points where Qi changes polarity, are considered to be powerful points for treatment and are located distal to the elbows and knees of all four of the extremities. The words used to describe the flow of Qi are emanating, gliding, pouring, flowing, and entering inwards to a sea at these points (Deadman et al., 2001).
Thus far, Qi's description of movement is like water through a water channel network, while at the same time, it is traveling through circuits, conduits, and gathering in capacitors. These illustrations give rise to many questions. Is Qi water or energy? It is defined as "the energy of the body, of the meridians, of food, and of the universe." If Qi is water, then where does the energy come from? If Qi is energy, why is it flowing like water? The explanation traditionally is that the great ancient Chinese doctors used metaphors and flowery, poetic imagery in their teachings.
Scientific exploration of these questions is warranted. "What if the writings are not beautiful idiom and analogy?" "What if the description of Qi is exactly as the great masters stated — energy and water simultaneously?" The evaluation of these questions will follow.
Classical Physics and the Biomedical Explanation of Qi
Dr. Daniel Keown takes on the task of utilizing biology, physiology, anatomy, and embryology in his book, "The Spark in the Machine," to try and answer some of the difficult questions between Eastern philosophy and Western ideology. He directly tackles the question of "What is Qi?" — demonstrating that modern biomedical science and classical Chinese medicine are describing the same phenomena through different lenses.
This intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science is precisely what drives the integrative approach at AcuMed Clinic — combining 5,000 years of empirical clinical knowledge with the analytical rigor of evidence-based medicine.