Yang Energy: the powerful electric current of the body

I’ve been working as an acupuncturist for 10 years and one of the challenges is the language surrounding TCM. I have found it helpful to create an analogy to some TCM jargon to electrical circuitry, to give it context, visuals & more meaning.

Recharge your battery with acupuncture

Understanding how acupuncture works (it’s energy medicine, after all) is challenging for practitioners, let alone the public. I would like to try and decode some of the language around Chinese Medicine and to help others understand how your acupuncturist views your body, health and energy systems.

I’m sure you’ve heard of Yin & Yang. They are the two basic building blocks of all energy: opposites but dependent on each other. Let’s look at Yang energy first.

In Chinese Medicine, Yang Energy is the active, warm, outward moving & expansive force of life. It drives circulation, metabolism and movement. Your vitality is a reflection of your Yang Energy. Without it, the body is sluggish, cold or drained. Too much, can have you feeling restless, overheated or burnout.

Your body is like a rechargeable battery. Food, rest & reflection can often give it the boost we need. Yang energy is the electrical current powering our battery. Practices like sunlight exposure, movement, warming foods, acupuncture & deep rest can help you “plug in” to your battery. When Yang is strong, you feel charged up, motivated , warm (physically and towards others) & energized.