Qi (pronounced "chee") is unknown in Western Medicine. In simple terms, it is the vital energy of the body. It keeps the blood circulating, which warms the body and fights disease.

Qi flows through certain channels forming a network within the entire body and linking all parts and functions together so that they work as one unit. There are 12 main Qi channels, each connected to an internal organ and named after that organ, and they follow a set pathway in the body. When a person is healthy, the Qi moves smoothly through the channels, but if for some reason, the flow is blocked or is too weak or too strong, then illness occurs.

The aim of the acupuncturist is the correct the flow of Qi by inserting thin needles into particular points of the channels and so affect a change in a part, or function, of the body. Changes in Qi precede physical changes, so acupuncture can act as preventive medicine, correcting the energy flow before a serious illness can occur. If physical changes have already occurred, they can be reversed by adjusting the Qi.

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