Environmental or External Pathogenic Influences (EPIs)

All traditional systems of medicine consider our relationship with the environment that we live in to be a key aspect of our personal and societal health. From a thermodynamic (biophysics) perspective, all organisms can be thought of as autonomous Systems embedded within their Environment. To me, coming from a science perspective brings us to the same state of Awareness as the wisdom of the Ancients.

If our internal control elements or organ-networks operate in Harmony, our bodies will be strong and we can survive the attacks by external influences. As our Chi or bioenergetic fields/boundaries get weaker, often due to internal Disharmony, the external environment biofield (Chi)will invade our bodies. Then it is known as an EPI. Click here or more details.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) thinks of an Illness or Disharmony as both the root cause (e.g., EPI) and the ongoing physiologic responses of the body. To the attack/invasion To be successful, a treatment plan must consider both aspects. In the beginning physical medicine ( e.g., acupuncture, TuiNa) will help but in the later /chronic stages, we have to think about internal medicines, including lifestyle modifications involving nutrition and physical activity.

That is why TCM physicians talk about developing a personalized treatment plan, rather than starting with pills and supplements.  The outcomes are much better, especially when we are dealing with chronic and resistant conditions, including chronic pain syndromes,, that do not respond well to drugs.

In my clinic, I teach people the best ways to strengthen their bodies (biofield, chi) using proper nutrition and personalized exercises. Since I have used these ideas to keep myself healthy, I know that it will take long term personal effort and commitment.

The beauty of this approach is that as we develop our internal energy practices we become more confident, and aware of both our strengths and limits.  As we become more self aware with age, our wisdom will increase as our physical strength often decreases.

Cultivate internal energy techniques for a longer healthspan.