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The Emperor Huang Di asked the Taoist Master and Physician Qibo:  I have heard it said that in ancient times humans could all survive to the age of over one hundred years and they appeared to be quite healthy and strong. But people in our time are already worn out at fifty years. Is this due to the changes of circumstances or does it come back to the fault of humans?

Qibo replied: In ancient times man used to live according to the 'Tao' and always kept their behavior in daily life in accordance with nature. They used to observe the principle of yin and yang, and were able to modulate their daily life in harmony by recuperating the essence and vital energy— they stayed sober, their food and drink were of fixed quantity and they lived a regular and simple life. In this way, healthy in body and spirit, they used to be able to live to more than a hundred years. In our age, man drinks alcohol like one drinks water, indulges in all the pleasures, and addicts themselves to intemperance, using up their vital energies and ruining their health. Therefore they do not live beyond fifty years. The Sages teach that by returning to such simplicity, man can still in our days, live to the age of one hundred years.

From the Suwen of the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, the source of all Chinese medical theory compiled between 300 and 100 B.C.E.

In the west we define longevity as the quantity or long duration of life, but in China the term for longevity “Chang Shou” implies a quality of life that accompanies the quantity of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) promotes this longevity--to achieve a long life while maintaining youthful vigor, being fulfilled and happy, and remaining emotionally balanced and spiritually advanced. This pursuit of longevity with quality can be considered “the art of healthy living.” Each person can help nourish and protect their health and well-being and achieve this longevity by following the simple principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine which include:

• adopting a regular lifestyle

• maintaining appropriate and balanced diet

• getting enough exercise, rest and relaxation

• administering self-massage

• practicing qi gong, tai qi or yoga (or other mind-body-breath exercises)

• selecting and cultivating peaceful and healthful living environments (feng shui)

• avoiding extremes in emotions

• practicing sexual moderation

• using Chinese herbal supplements

• getting regular acupuncture treatments and immediate acupuncture treatment at the first sign of illness

This art of healthy living can be incorporated by anyone at any time for dramatic improvements in health. As Dr. Maoshing Ni says in his book Secrets of Longevity, Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100:

“To extend your life and improve its quality, you do not need to be in good health already. In other words, do not fret about the past. What you do from this moment on is what matters. The good news is that you can positively affect your health and longevity right now.”

From the Chinese medical perspective, disease is an imbalance in the flow and quality of our qi (life force) and blood and in the harmony of yin and yang (the opposing forces that make up the universe and all creation). Once a person is diseased, this disharmony further impedes the function of the organs and systems of the body—consequently, less qi and blood are produced and more essence (primordial energy) is consumed. The loss of qi, blood, and essence is exactly how the natural aging process occurs—disease greatly accelerates this process. So because disease is not only a symptom of imbalance but also perpetuates imbalance, and because disease speeds up the aging process, it is vitally important to treat disease as soon as it arises. TCM also believes that it is essential to eliminate the cause of the disease and not just alleviate its symptoms. When treated early, TCM can successfully treat most diseases, both acute and chronic, without side effects and at relatively low costs.

Being healthy goes beyond the absence of acute or chronic illness. Often we don’t acknowledge our health until it is compromised, and only then do we seek ways to regain it. While no one can live forever, Chinese medicine asserts that a life span of a hundred years is within the reach of almost anyone who practices the traditional art of healthy living. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as part of this art, can help you achieve optimal health and vitality—physically, emotionally and spiritually.