qirelated

Qirelated is an English adjective used to indicate that a topic, practice, or concept is related to qi (also spelled chi), the traditional East Asian notion of a life force or vital energy. The term encompasses areas such as traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, qigong, tai chi, and related theories of energy flow, as well as broader cultural and philosophical discussions about qi and its role in health, wellness, and martial arts.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from qi/气 in Chinese and the English suffix -related. In scholarly writing the hyphenated form qi-related or qi-related is standard; qi related or qirelated appears in informal text, databases, or keyword labeling. Some fields prefer to describe mechanisms in terms of qi without using an English-derived compound to avoid implying scientific endorsement.

In practice, qi-related topics are often contrasted with conventional biomedical explanations. Proponents claim that qi can be cultivated, measured, and used to influence physical and mental state; critics view qi largely as a cultural metaphor. Scientific evidence for qi as a physically measurable energy is limited; research often investigates psychosomatic, physiological, or placebo effects rather than a discrete energy source.

Related terms include qi (the concept itself), qi gong, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, meridians, and energetic healing. The term qirelated appears most commonly in descriptive or categorization contexts rather than in formal scientific discourse.