A friend of mine from Pacific College posted this several years ago on her website. It has been one of my favorite things to share with patients ever since. Pure gold. Thanks Katie Cupcakes!
In the Chinese Medical system, prevention of disease is the top priority. The Nei Jing, a medical text written over 2000 years ago, says "to administer medicine after illness begins is…like digging a well after becoming thirsty." Therefore, the ancient Chinese physicians created a complete, effective system of disease prevention called the 8 Pillars of Health, which are:
1. Zhong Qi (Air-Breathing deeply and correctly to oxygenate and nourish the body)
2. Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi-Eating properly for strength, balance, and health)
3. Qi Gong (Exercise- Circulating Qi and Blood with movement and breath)
4. Tui Na (Massage-Manually restoring flow of Qi)
5. IChing (Shen/Spirit-Self awareness that includes astrology and other arts)
6. Feng Shui (Environment-Creating a safe, calming, freely flowing living space)
7. Acupuncture (Using needles to restore proper flow of Qi through the meridians)
8. Herbology (The use of plant, mineral, and animal ingredients in skilled combinations)
STAND, RELAX, BREATH!
