Energy flow could be described as the vital moving force that exists within all living things. Cyclical in nature, energy flow is expressed by observing how energy is gracefully transformed from one organism to another. In the human body, restoring the proper energy flow may be the key to healing and renewal.
In Nature
In ecological terms, energy flow refers to the natural cycle of the passing on of energy from one organism to another, as in a food chain. For most organisms, the original source of energy is the sun. Energy flows from the sun to the grass for instance, and an animal that eats the grass and becomes the next participant in the energy flow cycle. The predator that feasts on the grass-eating animal continues this flow of energy. The last step in the flow of energy in nature is said to be experienced when decomposers remove the last energy from the remains of an organism.
In the Context of Qi/Chi
In traditional Chinese medicine, the term "energy flow" could be interpreted as the force that is known by many names, such as Chi or Qi energy. The Qi energy flow concept is interwoven into all methods of diagnosing and treating disease in Chinese medicine. Qi represents the most basic force of all-that-is, which exists in the form of an energy flow. By manipulating the proper flow of this Qi energy throughout the body's energy centers, the body is able to heal and renew.
The Meridians
In this energy flow process, the pathway of energy flows through the meridians of the body. Meridians act as "hot spots" for the use of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine. These meridians are believed to determine health in every system of the body--the immune, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, lymphatic and digestive systems for instance. An improved flow of energy also may be achieved in focusing on the energy centers of the body, known as the chakras.
The Chakras
In this concept of energy flow, the chakras could be seen as pure and concentrated stations of energy. Always spinning, the energy flow through each of the seven chakras of the body may be identified by a corresponding color. As a New Age concept, the chakras contain an imprint of every emotionally significant event that has been experienced by the person. The chakras are believed to regulate distinct parts of an individual's personality and blockages in them often may be the cause of emotional as well as physical pain in the body.
Energy Medicine
Energy medicine is a broad term that encompasses various methods of healing through the manipulation of energy in the body. With the goal being optimal health and wellness, energy medicine can be applied by many different methods. Techniques such as magnet therapy, ayurvedic medicine, acupuncture and acupressure may be utilized to heal blockages in the body's energy flow.
References
- Marietta College Biology
- Acuhealing.com
- "The Energy Medicine Kit;" Donna Eden; 2004
