Qi - What Exactly Does It Mean??

According to TCM 'qi' is the life force or vital energy. Everything in the world is made of qi, including the physical body, mental processes and the emotions.

Chinese philosophy describes qi as the body's innate intelligence - the intangible yet measurable way we maintain what is known as homeostasis, or the body's ability to regulate its internal environment to create good health.  

If we are ill there is an imbalance of qi - maybe qi deficiency, excess, or stagnation. The acupuncture needles help to regulate the 'qi' - and in optimum health the qi is balanced and free flowing. 

Is there an equivalent to 'qi' in modern medicine?

Today science calls 'qi' bioelectricity - and that the human body is constructed of many different electrically conductive materials forming a living electromagnetic field and circuit. Research is still being carried out in this area, and we have yet to reach a full understanding - but more and more we are accepting of our energetic nature. Einstein said 'Everything is energy and that's all there is to it'.