
09/08/2025
You can think of the flow of Qi ( Energy ) through your body as water flowing.
It should be smooth, easygoing, and free of disturbances. Visualizing the flow of Qi this way can help you understand the different patterns and how they affect you. For example, cold conditions freeze water, making it stagnant; stagnant Qi can cause sharp pain in the affected area, which can be relieved by warmth (like defrosting).
Another case is Dampness or Phlegm. Think of it as Qi becoming thicker, almost like a gel, eventually evolving into mucus (hence the term Phlegm). Now consider the pattern of Dampness and how it behaves: it is clingy, lingering, sluggish, and can stagnate, creating a feeling of fullness and heaviness. It also affects the mind.
Dampness in Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to damage to the fluid metabolism of the body causing a wealth of symptoms and signs.