After decades of study, practice, and teaching, I’ve come to a simple but powerful truth: personal transformation is possible. through committed effort, self-reflection, and time-proven methods that honor both the body and the spirit.
For over 40 years, I’ve dedicated my life to exploring and sharing the profound wisdom of holistic health, qigong, tai chi, martial arts, and traditional Eastern systems of healing and self-realization. These practices were once dismissed as esoteric or somewhat “out there,” but have never been more relevant. In a culture dominated by distraction, disconnection, and stress, they offer a lifeline back to balance, clarity, strength, and peace.
Today, I’m excited to share something new. A step forward in expanding the reach of this message.
I’m partnering with Nic Peterson (https:/www.nicpeterson.com/) a respected lineage holder of the Gray Wolf Clan, whose commitment to mastery, stewardship, and the preservation of traditional wisdom deeply aligns with my own. Nic recently wrote a powerful foreword for a private-label edition of one of my foundational works, newly titled Internal Alchemy: The Gray Wolf Guide to Body, Mind, and Consciousness. His contribution reflects the values we both hold dear of humility in teaching, discipline in practice, and the profound responsibility that comes with authentic knowledge.
We come from a warrior–scholar–sage tradition. Our masters are healers and fighters, philosophers and practitioners. They are as capable of restoring life as they are of taking it. Many other masters and grandmasters, though unnamed, have left their mark here too. That’s the nature of a true lineage: the teachings carry many hands, many voices.
Internal Alchemy is not a light read. It is a manual that is quite dense, and a deliberate reference that can (and should) be returned to time and again. Each page could be unpacked over days of study. It’s not meant to be skimmed; it’s meant to be integrated.
Alongside Nic, I am also honored to acknowledge the contributions of two remarkable individuals:
Michael Leone, my friend, peer, and sometimes teacher, a doctor of Chinese medicine, and a true warrior-scholar-sage, has been the wellspring of much of the knowledge this book is built upon. His insight into internal energetics, martial arts, and the healing systems of the East has deeply shaped my own understanding and practice. His teachings live within every page of Internal Alchemy, and his guidance continues to inform and inspire everything I share. Michael can be reached at: https://zenwellness.com/
Jason Campbell, a highly recognized teacher, musician, and meditation guide, adds a profound layer to this collaboration. His work bridges the gap between ancient practices and modern lives, using sound, rhythm, and stillness to create doorways into deeper awareness. His presence in this effort expands our ability to reach those seeking peace not just in body and mind, but also in spirit and daily life. Jason’s works can be found at: https://www.jasoncampbellmusic.com/
Together, we represent a community of practitioners who believe that ancient knowledge must be preserved, respected, and made relevant in the modern age. Our collaboration is a commitment to serving the global community of seekers who value depth over trends, practice over theory, and legacy over ego.
Internal Alchemy is more than a book. It’s a living transmission of teachings designed to support your path toward self-mastery and inner freedom. Whether you are a beginner or a lifelong practitioner, we invite you to join us on this journey.
If you feel the call to the mountain, to the stillness, to something deeper within, you’re already on the path.
To learning, growing, and giving back.
Jim Moltzan Author, Educator, Practitioner
I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.
Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
“Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Knowing one’s own constitution, as well as others in their life can help to better understand how and why people behave the way they do under certain situations. Some may see this concept as somewhat controversial or as a version of “profiling.” However, this concept has been used for over thousands of years in various cultures across the world, such as with Traditional Chinese Medicine (the 5 Elements), Hippocratic & Greco-Roman Medicine (the Four Humors), Jungian Psychology, Tibetan Medicine (Sowa Rigpa), Western Biopsychological Models (Sheldon’s Somatotypes). Ayurveda (Indian “study of life”) and indigenous peoples across the globe.
The Wood Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Wood Element is one of the five fundamental forces in the Five Element Theory, which explains the interconnection between natural phenomena and human life. Each element of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, corresponds to specific seasons of the year, organs, emotions, and physiological processes. Wood, in particular, is linked to the season of spring, the liver and gallbladder, shaping both physical and psychological characteristics in individuals with a “Wood constitution.” The Wood Element is characterized by physical movement, ambition, and outward energy. While Wood types are dynamic and goal-driven, they must cultivate mental and physical flexibility and adequate rest to prevent stress and stagnation.
1. Physical Traits of a Wood Constitution
Body Structure: Individuals influenced by the Wood Element typically have a sinewy, muscular build, often appearing strong and tall with an inherent sense of vitality.
Strength and Flexibility: They usually possess endurance and adaptability, both physically and mentally, with a natural propensity toward movement and expansion.
Common Health Challenges: Wood types may encounter liver and/or gallbladder-related concerns, including digestive disturbances, migraines, muscle and tendon stiffness, and detoxification difficulties. Liver Qi stagnation can also lead to menstrual irregularities or eye discomfort.
2. Mental and Emotional Aspects
Core Emotion: The primary emotion linked to Wood is anger. When balanced, Wood individuals express healthy assertiveness, confidence, and determination. However, an imbalance can lead to frustration, irritability or struggles with managing emotions.
Personality and Leadership: Wood types are often natural leaders, driven by vision, ambition, and a desire for growth. They excel in planning and organization, where they always seek progress.
Decision-Making: They tend to be quite decisive and pioneering, eager to initiate change.
Emotional Imbalances: When unbalanced, Wood individuals may become uptight, rigid, impatient, overly perfectionistic, and prone to burnout from excessive effort.
3. Spiritual Dimensions
Growth and Transformation: The Wood Element embodies expansion, renewal, and personal evolution. Wood constitution individuals are often goal-oriented and deeply invested in self-improvement.
Purpose and Mission: They often possess a deep connection to their life’s purpose, inspired by justice, creativity, or a desire to bring new ideas into the world.
Bond with Nature: Reflecting the qualities of trees and plants, Wood types people often feel extremely connected to the natural world, drawing vitality and inspiration from outdoor environments.
4. Maintaining Balance in the Wood Element
To maintain harmony within the Wood Element, it is essential to cultivate their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being:
Physical Care: Regular body movement, stretching, and flexibility exercises help to support the liver and gallbladder. Regular consumption of liver-friendly foods like leafy greens also promotes internal balance.
Emotional Regulation: Journaling, meditation, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques can help process emotions and reduce stress. Cultivating adaptability and releasing rigid perfectionism contribute to emotional equilibrium.
Spiritual Nourishment: Making time to be present in nature, engaging in continuous learning, and setting personal growth goals can cultivate a sense of fulfillment and alignment.
I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.
Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
As someone who has spent over four decades practicing, studying, and teaching martial arts and holistic health, I have witnessed firsthand the gradual erosion of authenticity and deception in traditional practices, particularly in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science in Holistic Health and formal studies in psychology, sociology, PTSD, physiopsychology, religion, philosophy, Eastern thought, and the U.S. healthcare system, I have sought to understand why deception in professional and educational settings is so prevalent.
Beyond martial arts, my experience includes 20 years at a high level within a highly insular, strongly hierarchical, and ideologically rigid organization that fostered a deeply immersive and echo-chamber environment. Within this structure, dogmatic teachings were reinforced, and critical inquiry was often discouraged. These insights have given me firsthand exposure to the power of groupthink, social conditioning, and blind trust in authority, leading me to question why even highly educated professionals, those who pride themselves on knowledge and integrity, can fall for deceptive practices, sometimes unknowingly, sometimes willingly.
The answer lies in a mix of psychological phenomena, social conditioning, and systemic complacency, all of which contribute to the uncritical acceptance of misinformation and misrepresented traditions.
How Deception Manifests in Professional Circles
The Bait-and-Switch Model
A classic example of deception is called the “bait-and-switch” model, orthe practice of marketing one thing while delivering something entirely different.
In martial arts, particularly tai chi, many instructors advertise lineage-based training but actually teach a mix of simplified qigong movements that lack the biomechanical structure, martial application, and philosophical depth of true tai chi. This bait-and-switch is not always done with malice, sometimes, these instructors were themselves misled.
The same pattern occurs in healthcare, education, and professional training programs. A wellness coach may be certified in “tai chi” after a weekend workshop that teaches nothing more than generic breathing exercises. A doctor might recommend a therapeutic method without investigating its legitimacy, relying solely on institutional backing.
Why does this happen? Because highly educated individuals are just as susceptible to deception as anyone else, sometimes even more so.
Understanding how misinformation spreads among professionals requires a closer examination of the psychological mechanisms at play. Many assume that education alone is enough to safeguard against deception, but the reality is more complex. The intersection of cognitive biases, institutional structures, and social pressures creates an environment where even well-meaning professionals may unknowingly perpetuate falsehoods.
Psychological Mechanisms That Enable Deception
1. Groupthink and Echo Chambers
Groupthink occurs when individuals prioritize group cohesion over critical thinking. In professional circles, questioning widely accepted practices can be socially and professionally risky. If an institution, hospital, or wellness center endorses a particular method, many professionals will blindly accept it rather than challenge its legitimacy.
Similarly, echo chambers are where people are only exposed to information that reinforces their beliefs, creating an illusion of consensus. In other words, if “everyone” in the field is saying something is true, then it must be, right?
Example: A hospital integrates “tai chi” into patient care, but what they are actually promoting is a set of disconnected qigong exercises. Because multiple institutions endorse the same program, no one questions its authenticity.
2. Compliance and Institutional Authority
Many professionals trust authority figures and institutions over personal investigation. If a method is backed by a well-known organization, it is often assumed to be legitimate. Compliance within hierarchical structures, such as hospitals, universities, or corporate training programs, discourages critical inquiry.
Another crucial factor is the Dunning-Kruger Effect, where individuals with limited knowledge overestimate their competence. This is particularly problematic in fields where professionals receive superficial training in a subject yet assume they have mastered it. A healthcare provider who attends a weekend seminar on tai chi, for example, may believe they fully grasp its principles and applications, despite lacking the years of rigorous training required for true expertise. This misplaced confidence can lead them to misrepresent tai chi, endorse incorrect practices, or dismiss criticisms from those with deeper knowledge.
Example: A university offers a “Tai Chi for Rehabilitation” certification, but the course is taught by individuals with no connection to lineage-based tai chi. Students accept the curriculum as valid because it comes from an academic institution.
3. Cognitive Dissonance and The Need to Justify Investment
Cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals experience psychological discomfort due to conflicting beliefs. Rather than admit they were misled, they will often rationalize their choices.
Example: A doctor who has been teaching “tai chi” to patients later discovers that what they learned has no real connection to tai chi principles. Instead of acknowledging the error, they convince themselves that what they teach is “good enough” because patients seem to benefit from it.
The greater the investment, whether in time, money, or personal reputation, the harder it becomes to admit fault.
4. Loss of Agency and The Illusion of Knowledge
Loss of agency happens when people rely too much on external validation rather than personal research. Many professionals believe that because they are educated, they are immune to deception, a form of bias of overconfidence.
Example: A physical therapist learns tai chi from a single continuing education course and assumes they now “know” tai chi. They never think to seek a lineage-based teacher because they believe their credentials alone make them competent.
This illusion of knowledge creates a false sense of expertise, making individuals less likely to seek out authentic sources.
5. The Hawthorne Effect and Operant Conditioning
The Hawthorne Effect refers to people modifying their behavior when they know they are being observed, often leading them to reinforce whatever system they are operating within. When professionals receive positive feedback for their work, they are more likely to continue it, even if it is flawed.
Example: A wellness instructor receives praise and recognition for teaching “tai chi” to seniors. Even if they later realize that what they are teaching lacks real tai chi principles, they continue anyway because the system rewards them for it.
Similarly, operant conditioning reinforces behaviors through rewards (career advancement, financial incentives, social approval), making individuals hesitant to challenge the status quo.
6. Professional Bias and Status Quo Thinking
Many educated professionals believe they are too intelligent to be misled, ironically making them more vulnerable to deception. They assume that because they have degrees or certifications, they are automatically capable of discerning truth from falsehood. This leads to status quo bias where established norms are favored, even when evidence suggests a better alternative.
Example: A medical board endorses a “tai chi” program without verifying its authenticity. Because it is institutionally approved, healthcare professionals continue promoting it even if they suspect it is inaccurate.
The Responsibility of Professionals to Seek Truth
Highly educated individuals, especially those who interact with the public, must be held to a higher standard of due diligence. Their decisions impact patients, students, and clients, and therefore, they have an ethical obligation to verify the accuracy of what they promote.
While many professionals fall for misinformation unintentionally, willful ignorance is not an excuse. In an era where information is readily available, professionals should be expected to:
Question the validity of institutional endorsements.
Seek primary sources and traditional lineages when applicable.
Acknowledge and correct misinformation rather than doubling down on errors.
Failure to do so not only undermine their credibility but also erodes public trust in education, healthcare, and martial arts traditions.
Conclusion: A Call for Intellectual Integrity
Deception in martial arts, healthcare, and other fields is not just an individual issue. It is a systemic problem rooted in cognitive biases, institutional authority, and social conditioning. By understanding the psychological mechanisms behind why professionals fall for misinformation, we can begin to challenge these patterns and restore integrity to our disciplines.
Education should not be about blind acceptance, but rather it should be about critical inquiry, truth-seeking, and personal responsibility. Those who pride themselves on knowledge must be willing to go beyond surface-level expertise and seek the depth that true mastery requires.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
My posts are mostly about holistic health, wellness, and various methods to achieve balance in our lives. Human behavior or psychology are subjects I have delved deeper into, as our behavior dramatically affects our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
The United States is a nation built on ideals of freedom, opportunity, and justice, but beneath these principles lies a web of contradictions. Many Americans know systemic issues, broken systems, and political dysfunction, yet they often feel powerless to enact meaningful change. Some believe they have no viable alternatives, while others simply don’t care as long as the consequences don’t affect them directly. Lack of agency (ability to act and make choices independently) and lack of control (exerting power or influence over others or outcomes) can have deep psychological effects, leading to many chronic cognitive ailments such as depression, anxiety, insecurity, and others. It’s time for a collective reckoning. Perhaps it’s time to ask not just, “Are we part of the problem?” but also, “What can we do to be part of the solution?”
Here’s a closer look at some of the most glaring contradictions or cognitive dissonance (the discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs or values) in American society, grouped by their interrelated themes:
🏛️ Government and Political Dysfunction
1. Term Limits vs. Career Politicians
There is widespread support for imposing term limits on politicians, yet career politicians dominate Washington. Many Americans believe fresh perspectives would benefit governance, but efforts to enforce limits consistently stall. Voters complain about corruption but continue re-electing the same people.
2. Politicians and Insider Trading vs. Public Trust
Most Americans believe politicians should not benefit from insider trading, yet cases of elected officials profiting from privileged information persist. Despite this, the same politicians often get re-elected. We claim to detest corruption but keep endorsing those who abuse their positions.
3. Foreign Wars vs. Public Opinion
A large portion of the population opposes foreign military interventions, yet the U.S. remains entangled in conflicts worldwide. Public sentiment rarely translates into policy changes, highlighting the disconnect between the will of the people and government actions.
4. Perceived Misuse of Tax Dollars vs. Continued Compliance
Taxpayers express frustration over how their money is spent, with glaring examples of inefficiency and corruption. For instance, California spent $24 billion to address homelessness, yet the crisis has only worsened. In November 2024, the Pentagon failed to pass its annual audit, meaning that it wasn’t able to fully account for how its $824 billion budget was used. This was the 7th failed audit in a row, since the Department of Defense became required to undergo yearly audits in 2018. Despite this, people continue paying taxes while feeling powerless to demand accountability.
5. Daylight Saving Time vs. Public Opinion
Twice a year, Americans grumble about the disruption caused by changing the clocks. Studies show that daylight saving time may increase health risks and reduce productivity, yet it persists. Despite widespread dissatisfaction, legislative inertia keeps the practice alive.
6. Limited Political Choices vs. Frustration with the Two-Party System
Americans lament the lack of political diversity and the stranglehold of the two-party system, yet alternative parties remain marginalized. Even though many feel disillusioned, they continue to choose between the “lesser of two evils.” Real change remains elusive because the system favors the status quo.
💰 Economics and Consumer Behavior
7. Support for Public Education vs. Private School Enrollment
Public education is hailed as the cornerstone of equal opportunity, yet families who can afford it often opt for private schooling. This creates a disconnect between advocating for public education and personal choices that contribute to inequality.
8. Supporting Local Businesses vs. Shopping Online
We talk about the importance of supporting local businesses, yet giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks continue to dominate, often putting small businesses out of business. Convenience, competitive pricing, and free shipping lure consumers away from their local economies.
9. Income Inequality vs. Celebrity Worship
While many decry income inequality and the wealth gap, America remains obsessed with celebrity culture and extravagant lifestyles. This fascination with the ultra-wealthy perpetuates distorted perceptions of success and value.
10. Perceived Value vs. Price Sensitivity
Consumers often complain about the declining quality of goods and services but continue purchasing cheap, mass-produced items instead of supporting higher-quality alternatives. The desire for instant gratification and low prices outweighs long-term sustainability.
🏥 Health, Lifestyle, and Well-Being
11. Fast Food Consumption vs. Health Awareness
We know fast food is unhealthy. Obesity, diabetes, and other ailments continue to soar, yet fast-food chains thrive. Parents claim they care about their children’s health but often default to convenience, feeding them processed foods while allowing endless hours of screen time. Nutrition takes a backseat to ease, and the consequences are generational.
12. Sedentary Lifestyles vs. Advocacy for Healthy Living
We advocate for fitness, movement, and healthy living, yet modern lifestyles promote sedentary habits such as long hours at desks, excessive screen time, and minimal physical activity. Knowledge doesn’t always translate to action.
13. Healthcare System Criticism vs. Reliance on It
Americans recognize that the healthcare system is broken, yet they remain reliant on it. Pharmaceutical companies flood the media with advertisements, influencing consumers and doctors alike. Few healthcare professionals advocate for changes in lifestyle, diet, and exercise favoring “a pill for every ill.” The system favors profits over people, but viable alternatives are scarce, leaving many trapped in a cycle of dependency.
14. Body Positivity vs. Unrealistic Beauty Standards
The body positivity movement advocates for acceptance and inclusivity, but media, advertising, and Hollywood continue to promote unrealistic beauty standards. Thinness, youth, and perfection remain the ideal, perpetuating negative body image and self-esteem issues.
15. Desire for Work-Life Balance vs. Overworking Culture
Many Americans yearn for a better work-life balance, yet the culture of overwork persists. Long hours, limited vacation time, and a “hustle mentality” lead to burnout and mental health struggles. We value personal well-being in theory but often sacrifice it in practice.
🌎 Environment and Sustainability
16. Environmental Awareness vs. Consumerism
Many Americans express concern about climate change and environmental degradation but continue consuming at unsustainable levels. Convenience, affordability, and habit often override sustainable choices. The “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY) mentality prevails, as people want solutions without altering their lifestyles.
17. Recycling Rhetoric vs. Minimal Action
Americans advocate for recycling and environmental protection, yet most recycling programs are underutilized or ineffective. Many items placed in recycling bins end up in landfills, and people often lack awareness of proper recycling practices.
🔒 Privacy, Technology, and Social Isolation
18. Privacy Concerns vs. Social Media Addiction
Many express concerns over privacy and data security in the digital age, yet millions willingly share intimate details of their lives on platforms that harvest personal data. We fear surveillance but continue scrolling, liking, and posting. Convenience and entertainment often outweigh the fear of losing control over our private information.
19. Spam, Telemarketers, and Privacy Violations vs. Acceptance of Invasions
Americans complain about the relentless onslaught of spam calls, telemarketers, and digital intrusions, yet many accept these invasions as a normal part of modern life. We express frustration over privacy violations but rarely take steps to secure our information or demand accountability from corporations that exploit personal data.
20. Community Engagement vs. Social Isolation
Americans value community engagement and connection, yet the rise of digital communication and urbanization has led to increased social isolation. We crave connection but often retreat into virtual worlds, losing the sense of belonging that real communities provide. We see electronic devices as babysitters for children and adults alike, and then wonder why so many are depressed, anxious, and unable to be comfortable in real-life social settings.
21. Mistrust of Big Tech vs. Dependence on It
Americans frequently express mistrust of big tech companies, citing concerns about monopolies, privacy, and censorship. Yet, dependence on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Amazon remains pervasive. We resent their power but rely on their convenience.
⚖️ Ethics, Morality, and Social Justice
22. Human Rights Advocacy vs. Selective Outrage
Many advocate for human rights and justice but remain selective in their outrage, often influenced by political affiliations or cultural biases. Genuine concern for equality should transcend partisanship, yet inconsistencies persist.
23. Religious Values vs. Material Pursuits
America prides itself on being a nation of faith, yet materialism and consumerism often overshadow spiritual values. Many profess religious beliefs but prioritize wealth, status, and success over moral and ethical principles.
24. Public Demand for Change vs. Fear of Disruption
Perhaps the most significant contradiction is that while Americans express a desire for change, they also fear the disruption that change may bring. Breaking free from familiar systems requires effort, sacrifice, and discomfort—something many are unwilling to endure.
🪶 Historical Amnesia and Disregard for the Marginalized
25. The Forgotten Victims: Native Americans and Historical Amnesia
America celebrates its history of freedom and democracy while ignoring the ongoing consequences of genocide and displacement inflicted on Native American communities. Treaties were broken, lands were stolen, and entire cultures were nearly erased. Yet, mainstream narratives often gloss over these atrocities, perpetuating historical amnesia. The plight of Native Americans remains a footnote in history books, even as they continue to face systemic inequalities.
26. Advocacy for Social Justice vs. Ignoring Indigenous Struggles
While advocating for social justice and equality, many overlook the ongoing struggles of indigenous communities. Issues such as land sovereignty, environmental degradation, and broken treaties remain unresolved, highlighting a glaring inconsistency in America’s commitment to justice.
🔍 A Nation at a Crossroads
America’s contradictions are not just individual dilemmas—they reflect the collective psyche of a nation grappling with competing values and desires. To move forward, we must confront these inconsistencies with honesty and courage. True change starts not just by acknowledging these contradictions but by taking deliberate action to align our values with our behavior. “Change the world!” “Fix the system!”
Instead: Are we ready to face the mirror? How about changing ourselves?
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
Recent research has found links in form and function between the interactions of the fascial network and acupuncture. Health and fitness researchers have discovered that connective tissue, along with collagen fibers and fibroblasts, wraps around the end of the acupuncture needle when it is rotated in place. These effects have been seen at up to 4cm away from the site of needle insertion. Researchers have surmised that acupuncture energy meridians may follow the intermuscular or intramuscular myofascial lines (Yunshan et al., 2025).
The myofascial meridians do not follow the precise lines of the Chinese energy meridians, which are an energetic connection rather than physical. However, there is some definite overlap. The unrestricted movement, taught in the Chinese internal martial arts, involves the free flow of Qi and aligning the myofascial lines.
The connection between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) meridians and the myofascial trains described in modern anatomy, particularly by Thomas Myers in Anatomy Trains (2016), is a fascinating area of study. This relationship bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary science, offering insights into how energy and structure interact within the human body.
1. Structural Similarities
Meridians in TCM – In TCM, meridians are pathways through which qi (vital energy) flows, connecting organs, tissues, and systems. These pathways follow predictable routes along the body and influence both physical and energetic health.
Myofascial Trains – Myofascial trains, as described by Myers, are continuous lines of fascia and connective tissue that transmit tension, force, and movement throughout the body. Myers identified 12 major myofascial lines, many of which mirror the flow of energy described by TCM meridians.
Overlap: Many of the fascial lines align quite well with the primary TCM meridians:
The Superficial Back Line aligns with the Bladder Meridian running down the back.
The Superficial Front Line aligns the Stomach and Spleen Meridians.
The Lateral Line aligns with the Gallbladder Meridian.
The Deep Front Line aligns with the Kidney and Liver Meridians, especially in the connection between the psoas and diaphragm.
2. Fascia’s High Water Content and Conductivity
Hydrophilic Nature: Fascia is composed primarily of collagen and elastin fibers suspended in a gel-like ground substance known as the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is about 70-80% water. This high water content allows fascia to conduct electrical signals efficiently.
Structured Water and Bioelectricity: Within the fascia, water exists in a structured or “exclusion zone” (EZ) state, where the water molecules align in a crystalline lattice. This structured water behaves like a semiconductor, facilitating the transmission of bioelectric signals, which closely parallels the movement of qi in TCM.
Fascia’s Role – Fascia is highly innervated and acts as a communication network, responding to mechanical, chemical, and energetic stimuli. It conducts bioelectricity, making it a potential medium for the flow of qi.
Piezoelectric Effect – When fascia is stretched or moved, it generates electrical charges through the piezoelectric effect. This phenomenon may correspond to the concept of qi moving through the meridians, providing a scientific basis for the energetic flow described in TCM.
3. Points of Intersection
Acupuncture Points and Fascial Crossroads – Many acupuncture points are located where fascial planes intersect or where fascia connects with nerves, vessels, and muscles. Stimulating these points may influence both the fascia and the flow of energy, restoring balance in structure and energy flow
Trigger Points and Ashi Points – rigger points in fascia often correspond to Ashi points in TCM. This overlap highlights a deep connection between fascial dysfunction and energy stagnation, further supporting the integration of these systems.
4. Dynamic Interplay of Movement and Energy
Tai Chi, Dao Yin and Qigong – Practices like dao yin and qigong manipulate both fascial tension and qi circulation, encouraging smooth flow along these pathways. The slow, mindful stretching and holding in these exercises release fascial restrictions while restoring balance to the meridians.
5. Scientific Validation Growing
Studies using fMRI and infrared thermography have shown that needling acupuncture points activate areas along predictable pathways, which often align with fascial lines.
Research on fascia’s bioelectric properties suggests that it may serve as the “physical” counterpart to the meridian system described in ancient texts. This growing body of evidence bridges the gap between TCM and modern anatomy.
(Themes 2016)
6. Potential Implications
Holistic Therapies
Combining myofascial release with acupressure or acupuncture can enhance therapeutic outcomes by addressing both the structural and energetic dimensions of the body. This integrated approach allows practitioners to work more holistically, benefiting patients on multiple levels.
Blending Ancient and Modern Knowledge
Understanding the correlation between fascia and meridians helps modern therapists—such as osteopaths, physiotherapists, and acupuncturists apply ancient wisdom in a contemporary context. This connection exemplifies how ancient practices anticipated discoveries that Western science is only beginning to explore. In essence, fascia may serve as the physical matrix through which the meridian system operates, blending ancient wisdom with modern anatomy. This connection is a prime example of how ancient practices anticipated discoveries that Western science is just beginning to explore.
Fascia may serve as the physical matrix through which the meridian system operates, blending ancient TCM principles with modern anatomical insights. This evolving understanding highlights the profound interplay between structure and energy, offering a unified perspective on health and healing.
References:
Myers, T. W. (2020). Anatomy trains: Myofascial meridians for manual and movement therapists (4th ed.). Elsevier.
Yunshan, L., Chengli, X., Peiming, Z., Haocheng, Q., Xudong, L., & Liming, L. (2025). Integrative research on the mechanisms of acupuncture mechanics and interdisciplinary innovation. BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 24(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-025-01357-w
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
United Martial Arts Association 