Acupuncture, News
Two Models of Qi Flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Understanding the Circulation of Qi in the Body
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi (vital energy) is believed to circulate through a network of channels or meridians that connect the organs and maintain harmony between body and mind.
Throughout history, two main theories have described how Qi flows within these channels: the Centripetal Circulation Model and the Self-Contained Circulation Model.
1. The Centripetal Circulation Model
The early classical view in ancient China describes humans as living between Heaven (Yang) and Earth (Yin) — constantly receiving and transmitting energy between these two cosmic forces.
According to this model, Qi enters the body at the tips of the extremities and moves toward the center, nourishing the internal organs.
This is why early medical texts often illustrate meridians as pathways that start from the hands and feet and end at the head or torso.
The movement of Qi in this model is from distal to proximal (from the outer surface inward).
It is comparable to a river: beginning as a small stream at the fingers and toes, expanding as it flows through the body, and finally merging into the “sea” of the internal organs.
Practically, this theory explains why acupuncture points at the ends of the limbs — known as the Five Shu-Transporting Points — play an important role in drawing external energy inward and harmonizing the body.
Each channel was also seen as connecting humans with a different part of the cosmos, reflecting early numerological associations with the Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, and the Eight Trigrams of the Yijing.
2. The Self-Contained Circulation Model
As Chinese civilisation evolved, the idea of man’s direct connection with the cosmos became less central.
Qi circulation was instead compared to an internal water system — like irrigation canals that continuously circulate water throughout the land.
In this Self-Contained Circulation Model, Qi moves in both directions: from the interior organs to the surface and back, forming a continuous loop within the body.
The flow is described as a closed circuit that constantly renews itself.
The pathways are summarized as follows:
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Hand Yin Channels: flow from the chest to the hand (Lung, Heart, Pericardium)
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Hand Yang Channels: flow from the hand to the head (Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Triple Burner)
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Foot Yang Channels: flow from the head to the foot (Stomach, Bladder, Gallbladder)
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Foot Yin Channels: flow from the foot back to the chest (Spleen, Kidney, Liver)
This circular system resembles a closed network of energy and blood, where channels interconnect like anastomosing rivers, ensuring the ceaseless flow of Qi throughout the body.
Modern acupuncture, especially in the West, often follows this model because of its structured and systemic nature. However, many practitioners also integrate aspects of the centripetal model to explain how Qi interacts dynamically with both the body and the environment.
3. Integrating Both Views
While these two theories differ, they are not contradictory.
Together they reveal two essential aspects of Qi:
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Its cosmic connection — how the body receives universal energy through the extremities.
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Its self-regulating cycle — how Qi continuously circulates to maintain internal balance.
In practice, acupuncturists often combine both concepts to design treatments that restore harmony, relieve pain, and promote the body’s natural healing flow.
