Glossary of Terms in English
There are two types of definitions that follow: Chinese dictionary definitions follow a number and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) definitions follow "In TCM...".
Acupoints are spots on the body known since ancient times to relieve pain and speed healing. When an acupoint or a pattern of acupoints is sore it can indicate problems elsewhere.
Blood (XUE sounds like "shoe+way") 1: blood. In TCM it is a type of energy similar to blood as understood in the West, but Chinese medicine identifies more functions such as moistening tissue and nourishing the Qi. Blood can congeal and cause aching.
Body Inch (CUN sounds like "tsoon") 1: inch; 2: small. In TCM it is a unit of body measurement similar to an inch, but the actual distance varies from person to person. On an individual the cun varies depending on the body part.
Congealed Blood (YUXUE sounds like " you shoe+ way") 1: bruise; 2: poor circulation. In TCM Congealed Blood is an excess symptom pattern that appears when Qi energy pools and blood congeals. Relieve the pain by moving energy through the area. Felt as a dull ache, it accompanies or follows Qi Stagnation (QIZHI). Palpable as ropy, stiff muscle.
Deficiency (XU sounds like "shoe") 1: void; 2: empty; 3: in vain; 4: timid; 5: false, deceitful; 6: humble, modest; 7: weakness, poor health; 8: theory; 9: virtual, facade. In TCM it is a symptom pattern indicating false health, characterized by degeneration of bodily functions, similar to chronic disease. Degeneration weakens the body and it loses the ability to eliminate excess during acute diseases.
Got Qi (Deqi sounds like "duh chee") DE 1: to get, gain 2: suitable 3: compliant. In TCM Deqi (got Qi) is that healing feeling produced by stimulating acupoints, which moves Qi (DAOQI energy. After gaining the desired Qi response, it may feel swollen, achy, numb and/or tingly, first locally then distant from the point of stimulation.
Energy (Qi sounds like "chee") 1: air, gas; 2: weather; 3: breath; 4: odor; 5: airs, manners; 6: spirited; 7: angry. In TCM it is the function of organs and systems referred to as the life force or bio-energy (function) of the organ. However, it is not energy as opposed to matter: neither is it energy like fuel.
Essence (JING sounds like "jeeng") 1: refined, choice; 2: essence, extract; 3:spirit; 4: smart; 5: sperm. In TCM it is the material potential for growth similar to the genetic code. It originates at conception from the uniting of sperm and egg. Qi from food, supplements JING; likewise JING produces Qi. The quality of JING determines the quality of Qi.
Essential Energy (JINGQI sounds like "jeeng chee") In TCM Essential Qi is the most material of Qi energy. Qi production consumes JING. This vital essence JINGQI is stored in the kidneys and regulates sexual energy, reproduction, growth and development including the aging process.
Excess (SHI sounds like "sure") 1: solid; 2: true, real, honest; 3: fruit, seed. In TCM it is a symptom pattern indicating true health, characterized by discharge, similar to acute disease. Symptoms appear when the body eliminates microorganisms and toxins. The ability to eliminate excess degenerates with deficiency diseases (chronic).
Meridian (JING sounds like "jeeng") 1: menses; 2: longitude; 3: pass through; 4: manage; 5: regular; 6: warp (in weaving) 7: classic book. In TCM it is a path on which Qi energy usually travels located between skin and bone. Stuck Qi energy in or near a path disrupts smooth bodily activity and results in pain. Acupoints on the skin provide access to these paths moving Qi energy (DAOQI) and relieve pain.
Move Qi (DAOQI sounds like "dow chee") DAO 1: to lead; 2: to guide; 3: (in physics) to conduct. In TCM Move Qi means to move stuck or injured Qi energy, which assists the body to heal disease; thus: pain goes when energy flows. When Qi moves it may be experienced as deqi (Got Qi).
Sedate (XIE sounds like "she+ah") 1: write; 2: draw, sketch. In TCM it is a therapeutic response used to release, reduce, disperse excess Qi energy
Shiatzu (The Japanese sounds like "she+ah tzoo"; the Chinese characters ZHI YA ) a Japanese style massage used for pain relief, relaxation and medical therapy.
Stagnant Qi (QIZHI sounds like "chee jee") ZHI 1: stagnant; 2: stoppage; 3: junk. In TCM Stagnant Qi is blocked energy usually experienced as a sharp pain. An excess pattern appears when Qi energy pools at an acupoint, along a meridian or anywhere in the body it becomes "stuck." It is often the first stage of disease after Qi energy stagnates, the blood will congeal unless energy is moved through the area.
Tender Spot (AHSHI sounds like "ahh sure") In TCM an AHSHI acupoint means the spot is tender when pressed. It guides a therapist in finding stuck and injured Qi energy. Ashi acupoints can form patterns that indicate a deep root.
Tonify (BU sounds like "boo") 1: repair; 2: supply, fill; 3: nourish; 4: benefit. In TCM it is therapy to reinforce or strengthen deficiency Qi energy