Chi is meant to flow freely throughout the meridian network carrying its balanced vital force to all the body’s parts, organs, and systems, thereby encouraging them to function with each other in a natural, harmonious way. That leads to sound health. But any sustained blockage or other disruption of a balanced flow or distribution of Chi may bring on pain, a weakened immune system, and ill health.
It’s important to realize that while such blockage causes diminished Chi in one organ or part, it may also cause excessive buildup of Chi in another area. That phenomenon can be understood by visualizing a meridian carrying Chi as like a freeway carrying cars. On a freeway we know what happens when one or more lanes become blocked. It’s a similar idea on a meridian. A blockage may cause a deficiency of Chi beyond the blockage and a buildup of Chi behind the blockage, which may mean diminished activity of some organs and accelerated activity of others. Either way, Chi is unbalanced, so its flow must be normalized through an acupuncturist’s skilled and expert care.