The direct, word-by-word translation of de qi is: de – get, qi – energy; de qi – get the energy, or the qi / energy has arrived. This term describes a feeling felt after needle insertion. Due to the complexity of this term's meaning, no better translation can be found, so de qi has stayed in its original language.
An experienced acupuncturist may reference his / her own "feeling" to determine de qi: a feeling like when a fish bites the bait while fishing.
Qi has been a difficult concept, because it is not visible, hard to grasp. So far, there is no proof, no good proof at least, of qi's physical form.
De qi seems as if it's able to make the invisible qi visible through feeling. However, should "feeling" be the only way to find qi or define de qi? Is there any way to make de qi visible or even measurable?
The answer is yes. Helene Langevin, MD, director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), found that de qi is not just a feeling; it is visible. In both human and animal models, she found that "needle grasp" is the biomechanical component of de qi. Needle grasp is caused by connective tissue winding around the needle. This grasp may further induce tension in the collagen network surrounding the needling site.
The needle grasp is enhanced by manipulating the acupuncture needle. It is a measurable tissue phenomenon. She also found that needle grasp is not unique to acupuncture points; however, the needle grasp – de qi – is rather enhanced at those acupuncture points.
Dr. Langevin's work suggests that acupuncture through de qi sends mechanical signal to the local collagen network, then into local cells, causing changes downstream, including gene expression.
This validates that de qi is the beginning and essential step of any changes in the body after acupuncture. Acupuncture points are important, applying the needle at the acupuncture points and grasping the qi is important. As the classic Ling Shu states: "Acupuncture is effective only if the Qi has arrived."
References
- National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Terms: de qi sensation.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Dr. Helene Langevin bio and selected publications.
Wei (Vivien) Zhang, licensed acupuncturist and certified Chinese herbalist, is the first acupuncturist at the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine of Mass. General Hospital; and also serves as a medical staff member of Emerson Hospital. As her new endeavor, she is working on integrative treatments for autism and other brain development-related conditions with Dr. Martha Herbert, a pediatric neurologist and brain development researcher, and Dr. June Kong, a primary care physician. Wei was a professor of New England School of Acupuncture from 1999-2008 before dedicating herself to full-time clinical care. She received her medical degree from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and master's degree in nutrition and health promotion from Simmons College.