When you visit a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, you may hear about “blockages in the meridians.” At first, this concept might seem abstract, but it has a practical meaning. In TCM, a blockage refers to the disrupted circulation of blood and vital energy, known as qi. Blockages can be caused by factors such as stress, poor sleep, an unhealthy diet, or chronic tension.
External pathogens like excessive heat, cold, or wind can also throw your body out of balance. When the natural flow of energy is interrupted, physical and emotional health can suffer. Blood and qi are seen as interconnected forces—one influencing the other—and any disturbance affects the entire system.
