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My wife went to a reflexologist to get the baby into a better position. I was there with her and was asking the “doctor” questions about what he was doing and where the practise came from. He didn’t mention Qi but it was mentioned in the wikipedia article. I know that those who do karate and judo have some kind of relation with qi and was wonder what others had to think about it?

Hi Sheldon,
I hope the baby’s position gets fixed.
I don’t do martial arts, but there were some articles on alternative medicines on the resurgence some time ago, that you might find helpful. 
The one I’m thinking of was actually on acupuncture, but discussed some general ideas.
 
Roughly -
The writer suggests any healing practitioner (including in Western Medicine) may act as a scientist, an artist, or a priest - or combinations thereof. 
He also suggests alternative medicines are usually the product of alternative religions, and therefore, if a practitioner mixes any form of ‘priestcraft’ in his treatments, that should be a problem to the Christian patient, and may be dangerous.
However, if they are simply using techniques in a way that seems to work, I would think that would be fine.
 
link to article on Acupuncture
 
There are a couple of different series by the same author, if you search of ‘alternative medicine’ within the resurgence.  The author is a graduate of an alternative medicine school in Seattle.

Qi (Chi, Ki) is a vague concept derived from various observations derived from Eastern sources. I don’t worry too much about the supposed religeous aspects, except to admire the fact that for a longer time than us, in the East, science, religeon and economics, social order etc all had stronger links to religeon than in our neck of the woods.
If actual energy flows (Qi meridains) exist and are treatable/ usable, able to be influenced- then they should not be a religeous concern, they are a matter for research and scientific study. The links to any faith system can and should be teased out.
If, on the other hand the concept is false but does represent serious observation and practise, then the concepts like meridian flow can be ditched but the uses of the various points can be explored.
ie; the codification is erroneous but the uses are valid- find a new codification.

Qi covers a mountain of concepts. In martial arts Qi flow is supposed tom heal or injure. Certainly there are some very powerful sequences of attacks/ defences that work- these should be explored. Why does a blow to the inside wrist, if the blow hits at a particular angle, why does it open up vulnerability to an upper arm point that seems to effect breathing? Why does the third blow effectively attack the heart? Why is the sequence important?
I don’t believe in Qi, but I do believe in observation.

Other descriptions of Qi flow are synonymous with athlete’s descriptions of “being in the zone”.
Some appear to be more akin to hypnotic trances. ie; naturally occurring states that direct awareness in specific ways.

I don’t understand stuff like Reiki- but have seen it work. I don’t swallow Qi as an explanation. To me, it is similar to saying “magic” which I also don’t believe exists.

(edit to add)

Hi Owen,
I totally agree with ‘observation’ and not believing in Qi ‘magic’ but being willing to observe and try to scientifically measure if anything was going on.

Other descriptions of Qi flow are synonymous with athlete’s descriptions of “being in the zone”. Some appear to be more akin to hypnotic trances. ie; naturally occurring states that direct awareness in specific ways.

That’s endorphins ain’t it? Good old pain killers the brain likes to kick out. I saw something about other effects of enjoying jogging that kicked in before the pain killers did… stress release… ‘blood harmonising’ or dumping of stress hormones… something like that. I forget.

The other day I heard scientific evidence that just 5 minutes in a garden or nature reserve or park could do amazing things in resetting / re-harmonising the blood’s hormone load. We have a lot to learn!

Did you see the Catalyst on meditation? Good old TM seemed to have some scientifically measurable kick to it!

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2954785.htm

I have no doubt a lot of the alternative medicine practices work, especially in those more subtle conditions where western medicine is too much of a blunt instrument.  Their practitioners have been honing their knowledge and skills for a long time.
The issue for me, is if they introduce ‘spiritual’ elements in their treatment - but for Westerners, they probably wouldn’t.

TM regularly gets some sort of scientific endorsement.
Meditation in general is good for you but TM is the best marketted product.