Evidence and Mechanism of External Qi in Chinese Medicine

Abstract

Background: There are 2 kinds of Qi: Internal Qi is what circulates inside a human body while External Qi is what an experienced practitioner could emit and could be felt by a receiver. The healer's body will emit electromagnetic waves of low oscillating frequency from 0.1–100 Hz. Objective: To document the existence of External Qi using infrared imaging to detect changes in body surface temperature. Design, Setting, and Patient: A man in his 40s had been in a car crash at the age of 18 that permanently injured his neck. He was told to sit or lie down and relax, close his eyes, and prepare to accept treatment. During the healing session, the author put his hands several inches from the patient's head, neck, or body but never touched. Infrared images were taken before and after each healing session with External Qi, which typically lasts about 10 minutes. The patient was treated with External Qi once a week from May to August 2005. Main Outcome Measure: Documented infrared images of change in body surface temperature. Results: The patient reported continuous and steady improvement in the 3-month period. Significant changes in the maximum temperature were observed at some parts of the body before and after each healing session. The largest differences were 6.7°F in the back region, 1.14°F in the lower back region, 0.97°F in the front region, 3.83°F in the upper back region, and 2.11°F in the face. Conclusions: Significant changes in the patient's surface body temperature through the effect of External Qi were demonstrated without the patient feeling any pain or discomfort.