, also commonly spelled ch'i, chi or ki, is a fundamental concept of everyday Chinese culture, most often defined as "air" or "breath" (for example, the colloquial Mandarin Chinese term for "weather" is tian qi, or the "breath of heaven") and, by extension, "life force" or "spiritual energy" that is part of everything that exists. References to qi or similar philosophical concepts as a type of metaphysical energy that sustains living beings are used in many belief systems.
Traditional Chinese Medicine applies the philosophies of Yin Yang to treat disease. When the body is in balance between Yin and Yang, health is predominant; when Yin and Yang are imbalanced, disease occurs.
Outcomes from a pilot study confirm homeopathy to be a useful treatment option for NHS patients.
Nearly 60% of patients who had received a series of homeopathy appointments reported an improvement in health that affected their daily lives. A total of 1,602 patients were seen at follow-up appointments in all five UK NHS homeopathic hospitals during one month in 2007. The study found that patients receiving homeopathic treatment often have more than one main medical problem.
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Title: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Category: Procedures and Tests
Created: 12/31/1997
Last Editorial Review: 7/26/2006