Qi is Resonance: Scientific Explanation of TCM Meridians | SimpleBreath
The Mystery of Blood Circulation
Qi is Resonance: A Scientific Bridge Between East and West
Years ago, when I first read this book, I felt a sudden rush of enlightenment—a true “eureka” moment that made me want to stand up and cheer.
Have you ever considered a seemingly minor puzzle? Our heart only has a power output of about 3–5 watts—roughly the size of a small light bulb.
Yet, the total length of our blood vessels could wrap around the Earth. They are twisted, turning, ascending, and descending throughout our entire body.
“If we relied solely on the heart’s contraction, how could blood possibly overcome gravity to reach the top of the brain? How could the capillaries in our fingers and toes get sufficient perfusion?”
The Resonance Theory
This problem seemed unsolvable until I encountered the work of Professor Wang Wei-Kung (王唯工) and his book, The Melody of Qi (气的乐章).
Professor Wang holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Johns Hopkins University.
Through his research and experiments, he discovered a groundbreaking concept: The heart is merely the “starter.” The real motive force comes from the resonance waves generated by blood flow.
These resonance waves propagate through the vascular system, providing supplementary energy to the blood flow, much like sound waves traveling through a pipe.
Tests confirmed that blood resonance waves are a specific type of mechanical wave. Their frequency range lies between 1 and 12 Hz, and amazingly, they correspond highly with the natural frequencies of various human organs!
Every organ in our body beats automatically and rhythmically, forming a specific frequency. The heart also beats at a frequency.
If these two frequencies match, the blood gains momentum as it passes through that organ, propelling it forward.
He states that this frequency of vibration is exactly what the Chinese call “Qi.”
A Bridge Between East and West
Reading this, I was absolutely floored. Doesn’t this unify Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory with Western science?
The meridian system in TCM has notoriously lacked a corresponding physical structure in modern anatomy, leading many to question it as a figment of ancient imagination.
However, Wang’s theory provides a convincing scientific explanation for meridians: Meridians are not physical pipes, but conduction pathways for resonance frequencies! Just as Wi‑Fi signals don’t need physical wires, meridians are channels for specific resonant waves to propagate within the body.
The “Five Zang and Six Fu” (internal organs) in TCM are not just the anatomical organs themselves, but complex systems of energy harmonization and collaboration. In the TCM framework, these organs emphasize the flow of Qi and blood, the patency of meridians, and the coordinated operation between organs.
Professor Wang’s observations use scientific language to perfectly explain the inner meaning of TCM concepts like “the ascending, descending, entering, and exiting of the Qi mechanism” and “organ resonance.”
We always thought Qi was something mysterious, invisible, and intangible. But in reality, every breath, every heartbeat, and even the spontaneous rhythm of every organ produces distinct mechanical waves.
These waves diffuse through blood vessels and tissues like ripples, forming a vast, ordered resonance system.
Once the heart—the “engine”—issues the first command, the entire body is mobilized. Different “parts” collaborate, constantly enhancing and maintaining blood circulation.
This made me suddenly understand that “Qi” is not some ethereal trickery; it is a tangible driving force and synergy within our bodies.
Restoring Harmony
TCM concepts like “Qi Stagnation” (气滞), “Qi Deficiency” (气虚), and “Qi Rebellion” (气逆) actually describe where the resonance system has gone wrong—which organ’s participatory frequency and “main melody” are no longer resonating, leading to blocked blood flow or insufficient energy.
This discovery feels like a bridge built between Chinese and Western medicine.
I started to reflect that many physical discomforts and sub‑optimal health states aren’t necessarily because a specific organ is “broken,” but likely because the “harmony” of the entire system has been disrupted—the rhythm is chaotic.
Therefore, “repairing” the body isn’t just about fixing a spare part; it’s about adjusting the rhythm and synergy between organs to find that “resonance” again.
Perhaps this is the essence of what TCM calls “Supporting the Upright and Securing the Root” (扶正固本) and “Harmonizing Yin and Yang” (调和阴阳).
The essence is simply adjusting the resonance frequency of specific parts of the body.
Wellness is not just about blindly “tonifying” or taking supplements. It is about slowing down, adjusting your breathing, quieting the mind to listen to the body’s rhythm, allowing the Qi mechanism to flow freely, and restoring your vibration frequency to coherence.
Only then can blood flow naturally to the furthest extremities, energy permeate every cell, and life truly become “full of Qi and power.”
Writing this, I suddenly realize why simple practices like deep breathing and meditation make us feel refreshed and clear‑headed. It turns out they help us adjust the internal “main melody” of our bodies, enhancing resonance. They allow us to reconcile with ourselves and resonate with the world—this is the true “Way of Wellness.”