If One Does Not Understand Qigong, One Cannot Truly Practice Chinese Medicine

Zhang Xichun, a renowned physician of the Qing Dynasty, strongly emphasized that those who study traditional Chinese medicine must practice Qigong to cultivate their vital energy. There are three main reasons for this: 

First, traditional Chinese medicine prioritizes the prevention of disease, as emphasized in the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic): "To treat a disease only after it has manifested is like starting to dig a well when one is already thirsty, or forging weapons when the battle has already begun—is it not too late?"  The primary goal of learning traditional Chinese medicine is to maintain one's own health. For this reason, practicing Qigong to strengthen the body is an indispensable part of a TCM practitioner's training. 

Second, whether it is acupuncture or tuina (massage), both rely on regulating the flow of qi. Only when the practitioner's own yang qi is abundant can they sense the patient's qi and use a fine needle or gentle tuina techniques to regulate the patient's qi mechanism, thereby achieving therapeutic effects. This is why some research reports claim that acupuncture is ineffective for certain conditions—it depends on who is performing the procedure. How could someone who has never practiced Qigong achieve results by merely inserting a tiny needle? 

Third, practitioners come into contact with patients daily. If their own yang qi is insufficient, they may not only fail to treat patients effectively but also be susceptible to the influence of the patient's qi. Some practitioners who specialize in treating a particular disease end up suffering from that same disease themselves, which is not unrelated to the resonance of pathogenic qi. 

Therefore, as practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, it is hoped that everyone will make Qigong practice a daily necessity. This not only enhances the effectiveness of treatments but, more importantly, protects oneself. 

The renowned Qing dynasty physician Zhang Xichun strongly emphasized that those who study Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) must practice cultivation exercises to nourish their qi. There are three main reasons for this. 

First, TCM focuses primarily on the prevention of disease. The Huangdi Neijing states: “To treat a disease after it has already formed is like digging a well when one feels thirsty, or forging weapons after the battle has begun. Is it not already too late?” Therefore, the foremost purpose of studying TCM is to preserve one’s own health. For this reason, practicing cultivation exercises to strengthen the body is an essential part of a TCM practitioner’s training. 

Second, both acupuncture and tuina therapy rely on the regulation of qi. Only when the practitioner’s own yang qi is abundant can they perceive the patient’s qi and regulate it effectively. Through a single fine needle or gentle manipulative techniques, the practitioner can adjust the patient’s qi dynamics and achieve therapeutic results. This is why some research papers claim that acupuncture is ineffective for certain conditions — but one must consider who is performing the acupuncture. If someone who has never practiced cultivation exercises inserts a small needle, how can they expect to achieve a meaningful therapeutic effect? 

Third, practitioners interact with patients every day. If their own zheng qi is insufficient, not only may they fail to treat patients effectively, but they may also be influenced by the patients’ pathogenic qi. It is not uncommon to see doctors who specialize in treating a particular disease eventually develop the same illness themselves. This phenomenon may well be related to resonance with the pathogenic qi of the disease. 

Therefore, as practitioners of TCM, we should regard cultivation exercises as a daily essential practice. Doing so not only enhances clinical effectiveness with less effort, but more importantly, it protects the practitioner’s own health.