As a student of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I’ve become more and more aware of how much healing can happen through something as simple and as profound as human touch. In Western medicine, the power of physical contact is often overlooked, but in TCM, it’s an essential part of diagnosis and treatment. Whether we’re taking a pulse, palpating the abdomen, or using tuina or acupuncture, there is an unspoken energy exchange happening. Touch becomes a bridge between practitioner and patient, and through that connection, healing can begin. We’re not just feeling for texture, temperature or tension, we’re also sensing the flow of Qi, the body’s vital energy.
Connecting with Patients.
I’ve noticed during treatments that even before a needle is inserted, patients often begin to relax the moment I place my hands gently on their back or shoulder. There’s something incredibly grounding about feeling another human being present, steady and calm. That moment of connection can be just as powerful as the treatment itself. Energy transfer doesn’t mean we’re giving away our own Qi but rather becoming conduits for balance. It’s about intention. When we center ourselves, regulate our breath and approach our patients with care and clarity, that presence becomes part of the healing space. We’re holding space not fixing or forcing and that space itself has power.
Energy and Intention.
As students, we’re still learning how to tune into this subtle layer of practice, but it’s one I’ve come to deeply respect. It reminds me that medicine isn’t always about doing more, but about being fully present. I’m excited to continue developing this awareness and to explore how subtle energy, intention and physical touch can work together in support of true healing. In a world that often feels disconnected, I think this kind of medicine is more important than ever.
