The Ancient Secret Behind Why You Need to Move Your Body

We all know that exercise is good for us, but Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) explains exactly why physical movement is an absolute requirement for avoiding illness and enhancing vibrance.

Dancing is a fun way to move more!

In TCM diagnostics, one of the primary drivers of pain, chronic illness, and many types of ailments both physical and mental, is stagnation of qi and blood. Although most define qi as vital energy, that's a bit vauge in my opinion.

During my studies, I realized that qi correlates to frequencies or vibrations. This comes from the science of electromagnetism, and not bio-chemistry. I also observed that since there are many types of qi and each organ has it's own qi flow and communitcation line, this validates the idea. So qi could be defined as the body's wireless communication system, with the nerves being the wired communication system. Think cordless phones verses wired phone. That's the simplied definition of qi.

According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, Stagnation means: a state or condition marked by lack of flow, movement, or development.

Ancient texts tell us that qi and blood become stagnant over time and that stagnation is the cause of many illnesses related to age.

When you sit for prolonged periods or live a sedentary lifestyle, qi and blood flow and even nerve communication can grind to a halt. This resutls in poor circulation and can age you faster. Over time this causes your body to become sluggish and this buildup creates pressure, which could cause any number of health issues, including stiff joints, neck and back pain, headaches, allergies, digestive issues, numbness in the hands and feet, low energy, and even a downcast attitude.

Regular physical fitness pumps blood, stimulates qi movement, clears out cellular waste, and flips your body back into healing mode. Qi Gong exercises include movements like bouncing to stimulate the lymphatic drainage which can help to detoxify. This is why it's important to keep your blood and oxygen moving to all the cells; this keeps you healthy, vibrant, flexible and strong. This concept was written about thousands of years ago in ancent medical text books. These books are still referenced in Acupuncutre and Oriental Medicine training programs today! This ancient wisdom has been followed for thousands of years and has been proven effective. I've watched it work since 1992 in the clinic, and can attest to the amazing benefits!

Next Steps...

Move your body and reverse internal stagnation today! Whether it's walking outside, working-out to a fitness video, going to a class, or having a dance night date, it's important to find what's right for you and get moving!

If you are in pain and cannot do any type of fitness, it's time to get a course of acupuncture to get that handled!

Until next time ~ Dr. Mary Riggin, AP, DAc.