What is Qi?

Qi is a term that we use in TCM that comes from taoism.  We retain the word Qi rather than attempting to translate it into English because we would need many paragraphs to adequately explain what it is.   Qi is commonly translated as 'energy' or 'life force,' but this is too simplistic.  In the human body, Qi is intangible and is the opposite of matter.  It flows through the body and makes the organ systems function.  We don't know exactly what it is, but we know when it is missing or there is too much because it creates specific symptoms.