Qigong is best explained by the Chinese philosophy of energy storage and flow providing the theoretical explanation of how it works. It has been rigorously tested to the standards of Western science, producing measurable statistically significant and replicable results.

The Western scientist analyses and evaluates qigong results not in terms of life energy or acupuncture meridians; but in terms of electromagnetic energy and nerve cells, or looks for modern equivalents of ancient concepts. Modern explanations complement the observed phenomenon - the practice of qigong causes specific healing effects, with a high degree of reliability.

China has successfully integrated Western allopathic medicine with traditional medicine. Chinese hospitals of any reasonable size now, be they Western allopathic or Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribe qigong with or without medicine therapy. Acupuncture has now entered main stream Western allopathic practice with the American Medical Association recognising it as such. Qigong, unfortunately its prevention of illness, or self-treatment, and is thus hard to justify for reimbursement!

Qi - A Scientific View

Modern science tells us that the human organism is not just a physical structure made of molecules. Like everything else, we are composed of energy fields, Albert Einstein has provided the proof. We are moving our concepts out of the world of static solid form into a world of dynamic field energies.

Almost a century ago (1905) Albert Einstein totally turned the world of physics, which was based on Newtonian principles, upside down, when he proposed his theory of relativity. His equation E=MC˛ predicted that matter (as mass) and energy are equivalent, which made possible the atomic bomb; he also predicted the opposite; energy could be converted to matter. Physicists are exploring the edge of quantum theory and subatomic particles, and are "shaking up" our ideas of reality. It is now widely accepted that matter and energy are not separate, discrete states, but on a continuum from lower (matter) to higher (energy) frequencies.

This is precisely qigong's belief for thousands of years, that matter and qi (energy) were transformable. That is when unorganised qi arrives in the body, an unwanted growth can result, when organised qi arrives in the body that abnormal growth will disappear, a basis of qigong healing.

Only recently scientists have acknowledged that the mind can influence the mechanisms that regulate the body. Science has found connections between the central nervous system (brain), the immune system, and the endocrine system. Thus the new speciality of psycho-neuro-immunology; the science of mind-body medicine, was born. The brain, is a complex bio-computer, it still needs a "programmer" to instruct the nervous system how to perform and what to accomplish. The conscious entity which uses this bio-mechanism of the brain and body is the human spirit. Learning Qigong or meditation provides you the means to be the programmer of your own body's functions.

Analyzing Qi

The only sensible way to analyse qi is in terms of correlates (i.e. what relates to it, or has qi's attributes). In the manner that thunder relates to lightning and is therefore a correlate of lightning, but is not the same as lightning, so electrical, biochemical, bioluminescence, consciousness, and probably as some as yet unmeasured phenomena are correlates of qi. The concept of correlates allows a scientist to discuss healing without offending the mystic.

In the West many studies in the fields of physics and medicine have, while not testing qigong directly, examined energies and biochemical substances that accompany or promote healing. It follows that by measuring correlates of healing energy, scientists are also measuring correlates of qi. This is the view of the majority of scientists conducting research in the emerging field of energy medicine, the study of how energies interact with the human psyche and physiology.

Bioelectricity

The scientific evidence of qi has been acquired by measuring its correlate, bioelectricity. Although qigong causes obvious physical changes e.g. relaxed muscles and improved respiration and posture; its most powerful healing effects are due to its influence on the body's electromagnetic energy. A healthy body creates healthy energy, and, similarly, healthy bioelectricity (qi), creates a healthy body.

Nerve sheaths, carry a current of electricity prompting the body to grow, heal, regenerate, or repair itself. Any change in health is always accompanied by electrical changes both at the site of injury or repair and is an electromagnetic field around the body. The strength, polarity and delivery of electricity determines how and if we heal.

Evidence is that during qigong, the ability of acupuncture points to conduct an electric charge, changes dramatically. When a qigong practitioner concentrates on a particular energy point, the skin resistance at that point goes down relative to other energy points on the body (significance: more energy can flow).

Biochemicals

Emotions occur in the mind and body. Neuropeptides are created, and flow to various parts of the body. This is why we feel profound restfulness when the mind is contented, a queasy stomach when we are anxious, or a racing heart when we are in love. Two facts show a close connection between neuropeptides and qi. First, neuropeptides like qi, are produced in response to state of mind and influence the health of the internal organs. Second, there are neuropeptide receptor sites located on immune cells. This means that, like qi, neuropeptides form a link between consciousness and immunity, mind and body.

Emotions occur in the mind and body. Neuropeptides are created, and flow to various parts of the body. This is why we feel profound restfulness when the mind is contented, a queasy stomach when we are anxious, or a racing heart when we are in love. Two facts show a close connection between neuropeptides and qi. First, neuropeptides like qi, are produced in response to state of mind and influence the health of the internal organs. Second, there are neuropeptide receptor sites located on immune cells. This means that, like qi, neuropeptides form a link between consciousness and immunity, mind and body.

Emotions occur in the mind and body. Neuropeptides are created, and flow to various parts of the body. This is why we feel profound restfulness when the mind is contented, a queasy stomach when we are anxious, or a racing heart when we are in love. Two facts show a close connection between neuropeptides and qi. First, neuropeptides like qi, are produced in response to state of mind and influence the health of the internal organs. Second, there are neuropeptide receptor sites located on immune cells. This means that, like qi, neuropeptides form a link between consciousness and immunity, mind and body. DHEA (dehydroepaindrosterone) is the most abundant natural steroid in the human body. It is required for sex hormone synthesis and is found in equal concentrations in the brain and in the adrenal cortex. Concentrations vary with individuals and age. High levels are correlated with youthfulness, less disease and a more competent immune system. DHEA is generally near its peak during one's twenties and then steadily declines, ebbing more quickly in response to stress or disease.

Low levels of DHEA have been linked with cancer, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, allergies, heart disease, and most autoimmune diseases. This parallels the traditional Chinese understanding of jing i.e. the essence jing as generally used and sexual qi in Daoist terminology. Qigong theory maintains that jing, like DHEA, is found in the adrenals and brain, and is an indicator of sexual vitality and resistance to disease. Jing is nurtured by quietness and tranquillity and destroyed by hastiness and stress. Therefore to increase qi, we need to reduce stress and practice healing techniques like qigong and meditation. In addition moderate sunbathing has been reported to raise DHEA levels.

Physicists have found that human DNA (our genetic blueprint) vibrates at a frequency of between 52 to 78 billion cycles per second. The same frequency is found in solar energy. There may be a resonance between sunlight and DNA, like one tuning fork causing another to vibrate. Sunlight stimulates the production of DHEA and is a major factor in maintaining life energy or qi, (certain qigong techniques utilise exposure to sunshine to increase qi).

Bioluminescence

All living cells emit light (biophotons), i.e. they are bioluminescent. Scientists have been studying bioluminescence, also known as "dark luminescence" since the light emission is very weak. The unit of light, the photon has no mass, making it like qi, more of a function than a substance. The energy of photons is transmitted in whole units (quanta), and does not weaken as it travels any distance. In scientific experiments qigong masters have emitted qi over long distances without the qi losing its intensity. Biophotons are also emitted from living tissue. This behaviour of light seems to scientifically explain the belief that light is a characteristic of life.

Biophotons emitted from the living tissue's electromagnetic field, if in phase with each other, are more intense. This can account for the widely held belief that the human body has an aura. Bioluminescence is the possible scientific reason. Some individuals could be unusually sensitive to bioluminescence, and could be "seeing" this phenomenon as varying degrees of light or aura or in colour.

Consciousness

Qigong masters speak of Yi Zhi Liao, or Mind-Intent Healing, the ability to directly affect one's own or a patient's health. A qigong healer thinks of healing a patient; the patient's health improves even without any measurable emission of energy. Mind-Intent Healing is instantaneous and does not depend on the proximity of patient and healer. This suggests that consciousness can bring about changes without any transfer of energy.

Western scientists are illustrating the power of consciousness with hard scientific data. The Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Program has been investigating the ability of consciousness to influence electrical, mechanical, optical and acoustic machines that produce random sequences. Research subjects, without physically contacting the machines, have, according to their pre-stated intention been able to influence the machines to increase or decrease, or maintain their output. From 1979 to 1995 about fifty million experimental trials were performed. The probability of documented human-machine correlations being due to chance is about one in a billion.

For millennia, the Chinese have been saying, based on observations, that consciousness is a correlate of qi.

Is qi electromagnetic, biochemical, luminous, or some as yet unmeasured potential? Probably these are all partial answers. More important than how qigong works is what it does. For more than five thousand years, qigong has been investigated through personal practice. Today, we can also examine the documented results of thousands of experiments and clinical trials with qigong practitioners.