Historically,
TCM practitioners “harmonize” wei qi and ying qi to restore internal balance
and address external threats such as pathogens. A deficiency in wei qi
typically manifested with symptoms of a weakened defense system, such as
frequent colds, fatigue, and lowered immunity. Conversely, an imbalance in ying
qi was associated with poor digestion, low energy, poor motility, and a general
sense of depletion. Harmonizing these two forms of qi was essential to maintain
health and vitality.
Expanding
Our Definitions: Insights from Modern Neurophysiology
The term “harmonizing”
wei qi and ying qi was taught in our curriculum, but without a clear clinical
definition, it was difficult to apply with any consistency. 20 instructors had
20 different interpretations, which was maddening for those interested in evidence-based
medicine. Without defining the physiological nature of wei qi or ying qi, how
can we use these ideas effectively?
Comparative
analysis of TCM and neurophysiology reveals how wei qi correlates with the
sympathetic nervous system (SANS), which governs the body’s fight-or-flight
responses. Conversely, ying qi aligns with the restorative functions of the
parasympathetic nervous system (PANS). This comparison opens up new ways of
understanding how the body’s defense and nourishment systems function, both at
the energetic and physiological levels. It also allows us, as TCM and somatic
practitioners, to incorporate new research on neuroplasticity to enhance
outcomes for patients with neurogenic disease, trauma, and cognitive decline.
George
Soulié de Morant and the Integration of TCM and Western Medicine
These ideas are
not without historical precedent. In the early 20th century, George Soulié de
Morant sought to bridge the gap between TCM and western medicine by applying
rigorous scientific methods to explore its pathomechanisms. His pioneering
work, documented in L'Acupuncture Chinoise, laid the foundation for
understanding how energetic terms like wei qi and ying qi might be understood
in the context of the autonomic nervous system, earth polarities, and modern
physics. His work illustrated how TCM and western science could inform and
enhance one another, laying the foundation for a modern interpretation of these
ancient concepts.
Nervous
System Overview and Sympathetic Charge
The nervous
system governs every aspect of the body’s response to internal and external
stimuli. It is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral
nervous system (PNS). The PNS further separates into the somatic system, which
controls voluntary movements, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which
regulates involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and immune
responses. Within the ANS, the sympathetic (SANS) and parasympathetic (PANS)
systems maintain a dynamic balance between activation and restoration.
The ANS
develops in tandem with primitive reflexes (PRs), innate motor patterns present
in the perinatal period. PRs, innervated by the cranial nerves, evolve through
time and experience into postural reflexes. These reflexes shape physical
coordination via the vestibular system (sinew channels), the ENS (middle jiao),
immune system, and form the parasympathetic baseline of the ANS. As PRs evolve,
they form emotional reflexes in the limbic system, shaping personality and
emotional regulation. These systems are interconnected by the ANS, and their
simultaneous development in the postnatal stage explains why we can use the
sinew channels to restore autonomic balance. It also illuminates why the
channels of secondary ancestry (Wei and Qiao) have been traditionally used to
treat mental and emotional symptoms. The
Weis and Qiaos reflect post-natal experience.
Childhood
experiences, and the interpretation of those experiences, determine the
parasympathetic baseline for the ANS. Positive interactions and soothing
regulate vagal tone, allowing the fascia and connective tissues to develop with
elasticity and alignment.
The sympathetic
nervous system (SANS) governs the body's fight-flight-freeze response and
mobilizes energy for action. A sympathetic charge, measurable as a positive (+)
voltage on a voltmeter, represents heightened electrical activity in tissues.
This charge triggers a cascade of physiological responses: muscles tighten in
flexion or contraction patterns, fascia stiffens, and blood and qi are shunted
away from the viscera into large skeletal muscles. The yin viscera, which are
typically involved in repair and nourishment, function optimally in a
parasympathetic (PANS) dominant environment. When sympathetic charge builds in
the local tissues, it becomes the basis for indurations and deficiency patterns
in the hara, disrupting the normal functioning of the yin viscera. This mirrors
the defensive nature of wei qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),
which mobilizes the body to respond to perceived threats.
Wei qi, as
defined in TCM, represents the body’s defensive energy and is Yang in nature.
Modern neurophysiology shows that all defensive responses are mediated by the
autonomic nervous system (ANS), primarily through the sympathetic nervous
system (SANS). Therefore, since all defenses are mediated by the ANS, wei qi,
as a defensive mechanism, is mediated by the ANS. The beauty of a
neuro-informed approach to TCM is that we don’t need to identify every chemical
(adrenaline, cortisol, or norepinephrine, etc.). A more qualitative
understanding of the patterns will suffice. Neurology and myofascial theory
simply become another tool in our toolbox, allowing us to cross-examine ideas
to see where they intersect.
The
interdependent nature of the sinews, ENS, and limbic system within the ANS are
why we can use the sinew channels to restore balance across multiple systems. From
this perspective, we then can explore how ying qi, as the counterpart to wei
qi, is reflected in the parasympathetic nervous system (PANS). Harmonizing, in this context, refers
to restoring optimal parasympathetic (yin) balance within these interconnected
systems.
A direct
comparison illustrates this alignment:
|
Wei Qi (TCM) |
Sympathetic Nervous System (SANS) |
|
Circulates
in the skin, muscles, and sinews |
Activates
skeletal muscles and fascia for defense; outward displacement of ECM to outer
layer of the fascia |
|
Provides a protective barrier against external threats |
Mobilizes
resources to respond to external stimuli (outer fascia layers and large
skeletal muscles) |
|
Defends
against pathogens and environmental changes |
Regulates
defensive mechanisms, including FFF responses |
|
Yang in nature: outward-moving and mobilizing |
Yang
in function: initiates action, contraction, freeze |
|
Activates
during the day (diurnal rhythm) |
Predominantly
active during wakefulness (alertness) |
Ying Qi as
the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PANS)
Ying qi
nourishes the body’s inward-directed processes and correlates with the
parasympathetic nervous system (PANS) in modern physiology. As the yin
counterpart to wei qi, it fuels growth, regeneration, and cellular repair. Ying
qi flows through blood vessels and capillaries, nourishing deeper tissues to
maintain processes that support the body.
It drives the body’s restorative functions, ensuring nourishment and
repair for optimal health. As the
primary driver of the PANS, the vagus nerve connects the functions of
ying qi to the body’s structural and functional systems that maintain nourishment
and repair.
The alignment
of ying qi and PANS functions is clear:
|
Ying qi
(TCM) |
Parasympathetic
Nervous System (PANS) |
|
Flows through blood vessels and
capillaries |
Supports circulation to organs and
tissues |
|
Nourishes
organs, muscles, and sinews |
Directs
resources to repair and digestion |
|
Promotes growth, repair, and
restoration |
Coordinates rest-digest mechanisms via
the vagus nerve |
|
Yin
in nature: inward-moving and restorative |
Fosters
recovery and relaxation via the vagus nerve |
|
Dominant at night during rest
(nocturnal rhythm) |
Predominantly active during rest and
low activity, maintaining gut and digestive functions |
The Role of
the Vagus Nerve
The vagus
nerve, named for its "wandering" trajectory, is the primary component
of the parasympathetic nervous system (PANS). It supports the body's ability to
repair, recover, and sustain itself. Originating in the brainstem, it travels
through the neck and chest, branching into the heart, lungs, and digestive
organs. Its expansive reach allows it to influence and regulate vital systems
tied to nourishment and restoration.
As the
workhorse of the PANS, the vagus nerve drives processes like digestion,
inflammation control, and tissue repair. Its role as the nourishing and
restorative component of the ANS mirrors the Chong Mai in both trajectory and
function. This comparison opens the door to a deeper exploration of the
neurological and TCM parallels, though the complexity of the vagus and the
Chong mai warrant a more detailed exploration.
The vagus nerve
influences six key areas in the post-natal period:
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS):
Shifts the body from a defensive state to a baseline of rest and recovery.
- Enteric System (ENS): Regulates
digestion, nutrient absorption, and gut motility, connecting to the middle
jiao.
- Immune System: Modulates
inflammation and promotes repair.
- Limbic System: Stabilizes emotional
responses and supports social connection (Polyvagal Theory).
- Sinew Channels (Jing Jin):
Facilitate vagal tone through sensory input, coordinating fascia and
muscle tone (myofascial theory and osteopathy).
- Vestibular System: Supports
balance, spatial orientation, and head movement, integrating sensory
feedback into autonomic regulation.
These systems
develop together in the postnatal period, shaped by early experiences and their
interpretation. The vagus nerve’s ability to influence both structural and
functional systems explains its central role in connecting parasympathetic
regulation to nourishment and repair. Treatments that address patterns in the
sinew channels provide an effective (and visible) way to modulate the ANS,
limbic, immune, digestive, and vestibular systems.
Harmonizing
Ying and Wei qi in the Context of Autonomic Balance
In TCM,
harmonizing ying qi and wei qi has traditionally been a way to resolve
surface-level imbalances. When viewed through a polyvagal lens, however, this
principle gains new meaning. Ying qi, representing yin processes like
nourishment and repair, aligns with the parasympathetic nervous system (PANS),
while wei qi, as defensive, corresponds to the sympathetic nervous system
(SANS).
When in
harmony, ying qi and wei qi reflect the balance of the body's defense and
repair functions mediated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). However,
prolonged activation of the SANS leaves the nervous system in a state of high
arousal. A retained fight-flight-freeze (FFF) pattern (yang or sympathetic
dominance) occurs when the body remains in a defensive state long after the
perceived threat has passed. This dysregulation affects all systems connected
to the vagus nerve—immune, ENS, digestive, limbic (emotional regulation), and
the sinews (spasticity and PR demonstration). it is, in essence, a HEART PATTERN.
In our next
installment, we will define yang dominance and a retained FFF pattern to illustrate how chronic sympathetic dominance impedes rest, repair and neuroplasticity.
Bibliography
Deadman, P.,
Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (2007). A manual of acupuncture (2nd
ed.). Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.
Macciocia, G.
(2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine: A comprehensive text for
acupuncture and herbal medicine (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.
Porges, S. W.
(2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions,
attachment, communication, and self-regulation. Norton & Company.
Soulié de
Morant, G. (1939). L’acupuncture chinoise. Paris: Éditions Payot.
Stecco, C.
(2015). Functional atlas of the human fascial system. Elsevier Health
Sciences.
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