Over 5,000 years ago, the ancient Chinese discovered a subtle energy in the body that can't be seen, felt or found with the senses. Energy disturbances in the subtle bodies precede the manifestation of abnormal patterns of cellular organization and growth = ill health. Matter and energy are two different manifestations of the same primary energetic substance of which everything in the universe is composed, including our physical and subtle bodies. Matter, which vibrates at a very slow frequency, is referred to as physical matter. That which vibrates at speeds exceeding light velocity is known as subtle matter. Subtle matter is as real as dense matter; its vibratory rate is simply faster. It is believed that two opposite ends of the spectrum--yin, the energy of earth and yang, and the energy of heaven--combined with humans to create this vital force.

Energy is the source of all movement in the body. In a healthy person, living in harmony with him- or herself, others and the environment, it circulates freely. A disturbance of this cyclical flow of energy results in disharmony leading to sickness and disease. Any part or organ in our body with deficient energy supply cannot function properly. Lack of energy in the Bladder Meridian for example results in a weak back and consequently backache.