Kit Li
After completing my Level 1-3 Scalp Acupuncture courses last summer, I continued to deepen my skills this year by attending a 2-day Dao-Qi technique workshop in early May. The workshop, held in London, was led by Dr TJ Wang, a respected expert in Scalp Acupuncture.
What is Dao-qi?
'When one inserts and pulls out the needle slowly, it is called the inducement of the energy.' said Qibo. (Wan B, Wu LS, Wu Q, 1997, p.653)
'Slow insertion and slow withdrawal, that is called guiding the qi.' said Qibo. (Unschuld PU, 2016, p.354).
These classical definitions highlight the essence of Dao-Qi: An intentional method of needling designed to awaken and guide the movement of qi, restoring internal balance.
During the workshops, I witnessed several demonstrations on my fellow practitioners experiencing conditions such as lower back pain, stiff neck, and elevated stress levels. Remarkably, after being needled on specific points along the Du-mai or Ren-mai, and using the Dao-qi technique, each individual responded differently, yet all experienced significant and immediate relief.
My clinical experiences with Dao-qi and Scalp Acupuncture (SA):
For the past two weeks, I began incorporating Dao-qi techniques in combination with SA and selected body acupoints in treating the patients and experiencing various levels of emotional and psychological distress. These patients presented with conditions such as anxiety, chronic depression (3), and unresolved childhood trauma. Their instant feedback was meaningful and touching. It helped me see more clearly how effective and powerful techniques can be in clinical practice.
1) 49 years old male (presenting persistent daytime fatigue):
'The sensation moved to my neck and around the occipital area, but I feel very comfortable.' (needled on the back)
2) 70 years old female (living with chronic depression for over a decade):
'After receiving the treatment, I was so tired and slept for about 4-5 hours in the afternoon. Surprisingly, the next day I was able to walk for 1.5 hours without experiencing shortness of breath, I could feel my strengthens gradually returning' (needled on upper abdomen combined with SA)
3) 45 years old male (suffering from shoulders tension and pain due to his stressful job):
'I feel the sensation on my neck, shoulders, and chest, I feel more relaxed and breathe freely.' (needled on the back)
4) 40 years old female (experiencing anxiety for several years):
'The local area is soft and deeply relaxed, the sensation travelled down the lateral side of my right thigh, all the way to my toes,' (needled on the upper abdomen combined with SA)
This hands-on clinical experience has offered me a deeper appreciation for the synergy between Dao-Qi and SA, particularly when working with neurological and psychological disorders such as severe depression, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions. By gently guiding the qi with mindfulness and precision, we can support a process of transformation, insight, or healing that goes beyond the physical and mental, touching the deeper layers of the self.
References:
1. Wang B, Wu LS, Wu Q (Trans). Yellow Emperors Cannon of Internal Medicine. Beijing: China Science & Technology Press, 1997.
2. Unschuld PU. Huang Di Nei Jing Ling Shu: the ancient classic on needle therapy. University of California Press, California, USA, 2016. eBook.
4. Potential scalp acupuncture and brain stimulation targets for common neurological disorders: evidence from neuroimaging studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40329319/
