One of the major problems with the

One of the major problems with the theory of Chi, from the point of view of many members of the Western medical profession, is that they do not accept a direct cause-and-effect link in experiences where Chi is supposed to have been instrumental in bringing that experience about. For instance, it is undeniable that the insertion of acupuncture needles in certain parts of the body can
Be followed by an alleviation of pain
Be followed by a state of local anaesthesia
Be followed by s reduction in symptoms of illness
The important phrase here is “followed by.” Some Western doctors argue that it is not necessary to suppose that any immeasurable force, called Chi, is operating in these cases. They do not all say what the cause-and-effect link may consist of, but they strongly affirm that Chi is a hypothesis. A detectable group of substances called endorphins act on the body to produce a calming effect. Regular, persistent, extended exercise sessions of different types have the effect of causing the body to produce endorphins. This is part of the experience of “feeling good” after a workout or training session. Some people state that acupuncture therapy helps to stimulate endorphin production and that is the reason why it works. It has been suggested that during hibernation animals produce a larger quantity of endorphins to enable them to endure the cold of winter.
Friend of mine returning from China point to the important growing role of imagination in Chi Gong, the cultivation of Chi. This gives even more strength to the argument that Chi is something which exists in or is very dependent on that murky area called “the mind”, channeled in certain directions with persistence and regularity. What exactly “the mind” is-well, everyone understands that!