Qi Medicine: Theory and Practice in Contrast to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine has three essential concepts - jing, qi and shen, at its foundation with regard to the understanding of human life and health. Even though the notions about the three elements are complex or even abstract for many to grasp, they really boil down to two basic aspects of human life: the concrete physical or biological existence and the spiritual or psychological being. For thousands of years, Chinese doctors not only practiced the drug and needle treatments known to date, but also advocated treatments utilizing the mind and qi to relieve patients from their pains and ailments. Although the traditional Chinese medicine is still very popular in China and is getting more acceptance as alternative medicine where traditional western medicine has existed, the qi medicine, despite its great complementary function to both, has not been recognized for its full value.

This paper will discuss one of the most comprehensive and advanced forms of qi medicine - Taiji Qi Dao Medicine, comparing and contrasting the traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in respect to pathology, diagnosis, and treatment. It will also report and describe the practice and effect of Qi Zhen, a combination of acupuncture and qi gong, which is also known as the 'golden needle', a highly guarded secret within schools of Taoist practice.