The substances, energy, and information that circulate continuously within the human body are collectively referred to as Qi and Blood. Qi and Blood represent a pure dichotomy: what is tangible and visible belongs to Blood, which is Yin; what is intangible and invisible belongs to Qi, which is Yang. The functions of the organs also fall within the realm of Qi.
Qi and Blood can each be further subdivided into broad and narrow senses. For example, Qi can be divided into defense qi, lung qi, kidney qi, etc., while Blood can be divided into liver blood, heart blood, nutrient-blood, etc. If not specifically designated, Qi and Blood are merely abstract symbols, much like Yin and Yang, or the mathematical x and y, with their exact meanings determined by the context of the proposition. This dichotomy simplifies problems and aligns with the actual conditions of the human body and the physical world.
The concept of "Qi and Blood" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originates from the even more ancient "Qi Theory," a product of philosophical speculation in ancient China. Everything intangible and formless belongs to the broad category of Qi, while tangible and formful entities are called "substance." Qi and substance can influence and transform each other; accumulated Qi becomes substance, and substance transforms into Qi. Thus, all phenomena in the universe are variations of Qi in its broad sense, and all things are essentially one Qi. In modern terms: matter is tangible, while energy and information are intangible, and matter, energy, and information can influence and transform each other, hence the term "one Qi." In other words, ancient people had already concluded through observation of nature that matter, energy, and information can influence and transform each other. Particularly, the intangible is primary, and the tangible is secondary; intangible information and energy are the main actors, while matter is merely subordinate.
Applied to the human body, the "Qi Theory" becomes the "Qi and Blood" doctrine. Qi and Blood also influence and transform each other, with Qi being the dominant force. For example, before a person exists, they are an "empty" "information field." It is through the father's essence, the mother's blood, and the condensation of Qi into substance that the tangible body is formed. Another example is food, which is tangible. After being digested and absorbed through the "qi movement" (function) of the gastrointestinal tract, it becomes nearly intangible nutrient qi (basic nutrients such as amino acids, glucose, etc.), which irrigate the entire body. Tissues and organs grow and thrive by being nourished by nutrient qi, aiding the development of the tangible body.Diseases often begin in the intangible realm, especially many contemporary chronic lifestyle diseases, which often start with Qi disorders and gradually affect the tangible substance.
Many people feel unwell but are told by modern medicine that they have no disease. This often falls into the category of informational, energetic, and functional disorders, i.e., Qi disorders. Modern medicine generally has no solutions for Qi disorders, which remain an undeveloped frontier, but this is precisely where TCM excels.
Often, people are only diagnosed by modern medical instruments when the disease has already caused organic damage, by which time it is usually severe and difficult to treat. modern medicine mostly treats the tangible organs and does not address the intangible Qi, thus treating less than half of the problem. As a result, treatments may be ineffective or the disease may recur repeatedly, sometimes requiring lifelong medication. Only TCM can treat both the tangible and intangible aspects, even addressing diseases at their inception, permanently eradicating the root cause and ending the need for medication.
However, if a patient's disease has progressed to the cardiodiaphragmatic interspace, with severe organic damage significantly affecting their quality of life or even threatening their life, it becomes necessary to simultaneously employ modern medicine's symptomatic and tangible treatments (such as surgery) to save their life first, and then gradually address the root cause.