The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) define qi as a vital energy that flows through the body, helping to maintain a person’s health. The NCCIH are interested in the ideas of TCM but do not focus on specific concepts, such as qi. Instead, the NCCIH take a more scientific view, looking at how these practices affect the body and their use in symptom management.

Roughly translated, qi means energy, so, simply put, a qi deficiency means low energy. This low energy can affect the body as a whole or just specific organs that cause different symptoms.

A general qi deficiency may cause some overall symptoms of fatigue and illness.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences uses the following five signs and symptoms to diagnose a qi deficiency:

• fatigue
• shortness of breath or no desire to talk
• spontaneous sweating
• a swollen tongue with teeth marks on the side
• a weak pulse

Some practitioners believe that there is a relationship between qi deficiency and chronic medical diseases and their complications, such as heart disease, hypertension, or stroke.

Qi deficiency may also result from using too much qi in daily life. Many people in the western world are constantly working or on-the-go, leading busy lives, leaving no time to relax.

According to TCM, leading such a stressful life with little downtime may quickly drain the body of vital energy, making a person more susceptible to qi deficiency and the illnesses that follow. Think of qi deficiency as being burned out, a condition that can cause the symptoms and conditions associated with stress.

A healthful diet for a balanced qi includes:

• fermented foods for digestive health, including sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir
• healthful, energizing fats, such as olive oil, salmon, coconut oil, and avocados
• a wide variety of lightly cooked fruits, vegetables, and nuts
• adaptogenic herbs, such as ginseng, should be taken under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner or trusted TCM practitioner

Foods that are good for spleen qi include yang tonic foods and qi-circulating foods. According to TCM, these foods might warm the spleen and increase energy flow to the body.

Foods to eat for spleen qi include:

• lentils
• quinoa
• oats
• malted grain beverages
• root vegetables including sweet potato and taro
• pumpkin and other squash
• miso soup
• orange peels
• mustard leaf

Foods to avoid for spleen qi include:

• refined sugar
• refined grains
• fried or salty foods
• iced or refrigerated foods or drinks
• dairy products
• citrus fruits
• pork
• yeasty foods, such as beer or dough
• banana

Spleen qi deficiency may cause symptoms such as:

• loss of appetite
• nausea or diarrhea
• gas or bloating
• varicose veins
• hemorrhoids
• acid reflux
• trouble waking up in the morning
• brain fog throughout the day
• diabetes
• eating disorders

Symptoms of a heart qi deficiency may include:

• sweating without exerting oneself
• palpitations when moving
• anxiety
• nightmares or restless sleep
• mood swings

Symptoms of a lung qi deficiency include:

• a cough, which may be mild but continuous
• shortness of breath
• low speaking voice
• a tendency to catch colds

Symptoms of a kidney qi deficiency include:

• cold limbs
• asthma
• hair loss
• urinary problems
• very clear urine

-Medical News Today-

Tongue: pale

Pulse: weak, empty

Treatment points for Qi Deficiency

ST 36, SP 6, KD 3, LU 9

Dress warmer than you normally would during your period to keep your midriff away from the cold.

In TCM if the period arrives earlier than expected its considered Heat causing reckless movement of Blood and the Qi is unable to govern Blood. On the other hand if your period arrives later, this is an indication of deficient blood or cold within the body causing stagnation.

These details along with a tongue diagnosis can determine which of the two are present in the body. A red tongue, for example, would signify Heat while a pale tongue would mean deficiency in Qi If you are one with frequent irregular periods this is an indicator that the Liver Qi is not moving harmoniously.

In TCM an excessive flow signifies heat in the blood or deficiency in Qi. If the flow is insufficient or your period has completely stopped (not including if you are pregnant) this shows signs of deficient blood, cold stagnating the blood or congealed (thick, clotted) blood.

Food

Eating a diet high in cold, raw fruits and vegetables can slowly hinder the reproductive organs and cause delayed arrival, blood clots from stagnation causing unwanted cramping and an obstruction in the flow of Qi. Eating a diet high in yang foods such as meats, coffee, hot peppers tend to create an overly hot environment for the body causing early menses arrival, excess flow and a lowered immune system.

Foods to eat while bleeding: Foods high in minerals and nutrients are what we need to be sticking with during this time such as; sea vegetables (Sea cucumber, seaweed, etc.), sweet potatoes, carrots, beets (great blood builder), nuts, lemon and limes (liver detoxification).

During this time one must regulate the body’s Qi and nourish the blood. Foods that are recommended are those that invigorate the circulatory system, stimulate digestion and aid in detoxification. As mentioned above foods that are great to add to your diet while on your menses include, lots of fresh vegetables like beets, eggplant, greens (kales, spinach, chard, bok choi, watercess), asparagus, cilantro, celery; beans like mung beans and adzuki beans; seaweeds (including micro-algae like spirulina); bitter fruits (as bitter foods help the liver detox) grapefruits, green apples, lemons, and natural sweetness with warming qualities such as Chinese brown sugar, barley malt, red dates.

It is also highly beneficial to add apple cider vinegar to help alkalize the system and to aid in the process of making hydrochloric acid to help the body digest. Also adding my favorite tea; ginger tea is also very beneficial as it helps with circulation and aids in warming the body from the inside out.

Menstruation and Pregnancy

Early Cycle: (4 days or more early) This is a sign of low immunity, lung Qi deficiency and this is an early indicator of blood deficiency in the future. If you were to become pregnant during this time it is said that the baby will be born with an immunity 

Late Cycle: (4 days or more late) This is a sign of deficiency in blood, excess cold, liver stagnation or kidney deficiency. If consistent can lead to amenorrhea. Getting pregnant during this time can lead to a child born with delayed growth (mental and physical) with speech delays and hyperactivity.

Irregular Cycle: (Sometimes early, sometimes late, or on time) A sure sign of blood deficiency and spleen deficiency or excess cold. This happens often with people trying to lose weight or skipping meals. Pregnancy during this time can result in a picky eating child with digestion and fppd sensitivities.

Amenorrheas According to TCM Practitioners

If you experience amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menstruation) before 50 it indicates a liver or kidney deficiency. An over accumulation of dampness (ie. mucus, parasites, toxins.) in the body can also cause an early onset of amenorrhea. Stress is another factor to consider when examining a patient who has an abnormal absence of menses. At this point there may be fertility issues.

Targets auricular areas that correspond to parts of the brain hurt by stress/trauma.

Thought to help balance or normalize brain dysfunction caused by stress/trauma.

1. Hypothalamus

2. Amygdala

3. Hippocampus

4. Master Cerebral

5. Point zero

6. Shen men

Helms, et.AL., HMI Auricular Trauma Protocol: An Acupuncture Approach for Trauma Spectrum Symptoms, Medical Acupuncture, Vol.23:4, 2011.

GB 44, 43 & TW 1, 2, ST 40 on the Right- if there is pain at the Gall Bladder on abdomen

GB 37 or 39 for scar tissue , helps release abdomen

For bloating- if SP 2 is tender, add SP 9 and SP 5

Acid reflux- add LV 8 and xiyan

Add LV on right if abdomen is still tight

Back treatment- chinetskuyu at L2 inner or outer BL, check KD, LV, Diaphragm, SP. Feeling and checking to see which points need to be needled most.

Anxiety- BL 14, 15

I recently had a patient who had some serious long-term sleep problems. One of her main complaints was that she’d wake every night to urinate, 2-3 times. I was taught by a superior, a treatment that supports the Kidney and Bladder functions, called “Return to Kidney.” I treat her again next week, and will report back regarding how this treatment worked. The following protocol was used.

Ion pumping cords; Red (Red stainless needle) BL 23, to Black (yellow stainless needle) to BL 40, and two Red stainless #1’s at BL 11.

Alternatively, you can use Gold plated needles at BL 11 and BL 23, and a red stainless needle at BL 40.

I’ve wanted to create a blog where I can post all things Chinese Medicine related, so here it is. I hope it can help be a catalyst for people to learn new things. But honestly I’m doing it so I have an archive of all the tricks, tips and protocols I’ve learned along the way.