THE ORPHEUS ILLUSION - LIFE & MEDICINE by Dr Khoo Lee Seng

 The Orpheus Illusion- Life & Medicine

Why do we keep looking backwards?

In Greek mythology, Orpheus descends into the underworld to rescue his beloved Eurydice. Moved by his devotion, Hades lord of the underworld agrees to let her return—but on one condition.

"Do not look back until both of you have reached the surface."

Simple enough. This should be a piece of cake so Orpheus thinks.

Yet as Orpheus walks towards the light, doubt creeps in. He hears footsteps behind him. Is Eurydice really there? Has Hades deceived him?

Just before reaching daylight, he turns.

In that instant, she disappears forever to live with Hades in the underworld.

Perhaps the tragedy wasn't that Orpheus looked back.

Perhaps the tragedy was that he believed what he saw behind him was more real than where he was going.

I call this the Orpheus Illusion.

MY LIFE IN MEDICINE

As a doctor, one of the first lessons you learn is this:

Symptoms are not causes.

A fever isn't the infection.

Chest pain isn't the blocked artery.

Lung cancer doesn't happen in day.

By the time symptoms appear, the disease has often been developing silently for weeks, months, sometimes years.

Medicine teaches us something profound.

The visible is usually the consequence of something invisible.

Why should consciousness be any different?

Most people believe their present circumstances define their future.

"I' am addicted to cannabis, smoking, vaping, alcohol.."

"My relationship isn't working."

"My health is deteriorating but there is nothing I can do"

"This is just my life. What can I do?" " This is my nature"

But what if your present isn't showing you your future?

What if it's simply revealing your past?

There is always a delay between consciousness and manifestation.

YESTERDAY'S NEWS

Your thoughts. Your emotions. Your assumptions. Your identity. Your programmed consciousness...

All eventually become visible—but not immediately.

Your present moment is delayed feedback from a previous state of consciousness.

In other words, your present is yesterday's news. Old news, if you may!

THE SCREENPLAY WAS ALREADY WRITTEN

Imagine walking into a cinema halfway through a film. The hero is losing.

Everything appears hopeless.

Would you conclude that's how the story ends?

Of course not! You know the script was written long before you entered the theatre

Life is remarkably similar.

Many of us walk into today's circumstances and assume they are writing tomorrow's ending. They aren't. They are watching yesterday's screenplay still unfolding. Your very same habits have caused  the screen to unfold the play and very often with the same "endings". And they wonder why if it is always the same stories in their life replaying- some even consult with intent to believe the soothsayers and fortune tellers telling them this is "fate". This is when our habit evolves to become an addiction silently on auto-pilot.

Have they ever thought who wrote the "screenplay"? Or they let their subconscious wants and habits auto-write the "endings" although they wanted a "happy ending"?

Sorry guys but Bruce Lee does beat up these bunch of thugs and kills the boss's son. (The Big Boss-1971)

PHANTOM IDENTITIES

One of the most fascinating conditions in medicine is phantom limb pain.

A patient loses an arm.

Yet months later, he still feels pain in fingers that no longer exist.

The limb is gone. The brain's map has not.

I sometimes wonder whether many of us are living with "phantom identities" acting out our subconscious saying one thing consciously but then actually manifesting another. 

The criticism or inferiority ended years ago. Yet we still feel inadequate.

The relationship is over. Yet we still feel abandoned or wronged.

The failure is long past. Yet we continue living as if it happened yesterday living as if we must avert this.

The event has disappeared. The imprint remains.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12092-phantom-limb-pain

The Buddha called this samsara.

Not merely the cycle of rebirth.

But the endless repetition of conditioned experience.

We look at today's circumstances and say "This is reality." 

Then we believe the same things.

Feel the same emotions.

Make the same choices dressed differently & think we evolved.

And tomorrow faithfully recreates yesterday with the same effect only the actors & actresses differ.

The wheel turns because we keep looking back subconsciously.

Healing begins the moment we stop confusing the symptom with the cause.

The scar is not the wound.

The echo is not the voice.

The present is not the source.

It is the consequence.

That doesn't mean denying reality. It means understanding its place.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DABVnKSNz-y/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

(Watch Dr Lee Seng Khoo performing laser for scars and rejuvenation - healing old scars)

There is a beautiful saying:

"If you can allow the old to exist without entertaining it, it will pass, and the new will be born."

Notice it doesn't say fight the old.

Or erase it.

Simply stop feeding it.

Even after successful surgery, healing takes time.

The body changes first.

The scar softens later.

Consciousness works much the same way.

The new is born inwardly before it becomes visible outwardly.

WALK ON

Perhaps Orpheus was never being tested for obedience.

Perhaps he was being invited to trust the unseen.

We make his mistake whenever we let today's circumstances dictate tomorrow's possibilities.

We keep asking yesterday for permission to create the future. And we only change the surface not the deeper psyche.

Maybe that's the illusion.

Maybe awakening is simply refusing to look back.

Some of us walked on and then when things begin to unravel in unfamiliar territory (different movie unfolding) - we immediately revert back to the old simply because that program was stronger & been around longer (it is at least familiar and known to us).

Because the future that we actually wanted has never been hiding behind us. It has always been waiting ahead. Yet we couldn't control our old subconscious impulses and seek excitement- instant dopamine hits & validation out of habituated behaviour while secretly planning our own burn-out, failure and regret subconsciously. Better the Devil you know as they say.....

∎ THE ORPHEUS PAPERS Paper No. 001

"The doctor learns that symptoms conceal causes. The philosopher learns that appearances conceal reality. Perhaps they have been studying the same mystery all along."

— Dr Lee Seng Khoo

"The visible is usually the consequence of something invisible."

"Your present is yesterday's news."

"Perhaps the tragedy wasn't that Orpheus looked back, but that he believed what was behind him more than what lay ahead."

Wu De (武德): The Moral Spine of My Hands — Reflections of a Martial Artist, Surgeon, and Medical Acupuncturist

 

Wu De (武德): The Moral Spine of My Hands — Reflections of a Martial Artist, Surgeon, and Medical Acupuncturist

There is a moment before every incision I make with the surgical blade—a stillness that feels familiar. It is the same quiescent feeling that precedes the first punch or kick or even the swing of the sword, the same awareness before blade meets the skin. In that moment, I am not only a surgeon, nor merely a doctor or acupuncturist—I am a practitioner of Wu De (武德), martial virtue.

Combining the two Chinese characters, “Wu” (武), which means martial or military, and “De” (德), which translates to virtue or morality.

Together, they represent the idea that medical and martial arts practice should not only focus on physical skills but also emphasize the development of character, integrity, and ethical behavior.

Wu De is often translated as “martial morality,” but this translation is insufficient. Wu De is not a static code to be memorized—it is a living tool, a way of enacting virtue through conduct, decisions, and relationships. It is something one does, not merely something not merely something one knows. It is a way of living – a way of one’s conduct in life.

 

Traditionally, Wu De is rooted in the ethical foundations of Chinese philosophy, especially the five Confucian virtues: Ren (仁) (benevolence), Yi (义) (righteousness), Li (礼) (propriety), (智) Zhi (wisdom), and (信)Xin (trustworthiness). These are not abstract ideals; they are practical guides governing how one acts in moments of consequence—whether in combat, in healing, or in silence.

The Body Trained, The Mind Tempered

Martial training begins with the body but matures in the mind. Wu De teaches that skill without virtue is dangerous, and power without restraint is chaos. In classical understanding, martial ability (Wu Gong) (武功) must always be balanced by moral cultivation (Wu De) (武德).

This principle became foundational in my surgical practice. The scalpel blade is not unlike a weapon—it can harm or heal depending on the intention意 and discipline behind it. Wu De reminds me that technical mastery alone is insufficient; it must be governed by clarity of purpose and ethical restraint.

A doctor or surgeon, like a martial artist, must constantly ask: Is this action necessary? Is it just? Is it proportionate?

Just because I as a trained martial artist may fracture a man’s jaw and dislocate his elbow in a fight does not mean I should. Is the action warranted for the circumstances? Can I subdue my opponent without unnecessarily maiming him for life?

Some surgical colleague in private once relayed to me (in confidence), that to him now every abdominal pain in absence of other pressing issues is appendicitis and he will not hesitate to remove an appendix which he reckons is harmless even if the diagnosis isn’t appendicitis. When pressed on why he does this- the gentleman reiterates that he needs to make enough money for his family and growing expenses including children in international schools, family holidays and expensive home and car mortgages.

Wu De as a Way of Life, Not a Role

Wu De extends beyond the training hall. It governs how one speaks, listens, teaches, and learns. It shapes relationships—between teacher and student, practitioner and patient, senior and junior. It is reflected in how one carries oneself both inside and outside formal practice. Respect is a two-way street between master and student in martial arts.

Do not speak ill of another but yet many doctors throw shade over others due to professional jealousy or due to intense market competition.Doctors badmouthing each other. Does it affect medical students' career choices? - PubMed And the constant belittling and bullying is prevalent in the medical hierarchy particularly in surgical or specialist training. Juniors see and emulate very bad behaviours from some toxic seniors (many whom are very subpar in their field of work to begin with hence this behaviour is used to mask that inadequacy) that later extends beyond the confines of hospital but to their own lives outside.https://journals.lww.com/wpsy/fulltext/2022/04010/the_culture_of_bullying_in_medical_training_must.2.aspx

Lies, rumors and character assasination are common in the medical world

In medicine, this translates into professionalism that is not performative but internalized. Respect is not reserved for authority—it extends to patients, colleagues, and even to the uncertainty inherent in the human body.

The traditional martial world understood Wu De as something that defines the practitioner before they even act—like a silent credential visible through conduct. In the hospital, this becomes equally true: one’s presence, composure, and integrity often speak before one’s technical skill is demonstrated.

Humility and the Limits of Control

One of the enduring lessons of Wu De is humility. Not as modesty alone, but as an accurate recognition of limits.

 

In both martial arts and medicine, there is a gradual realization: control is never absolute. A fight can turn ugly – you may realize now you are facing multiple assailants or some may be armed. A surgery can complicate intra-operatively or post-operatively. A patient can respond unpredictably. Wu De tempers the illusion of mastery of life with awareness of the unknown or ambiguity.

Confucian virtue Zhi 智(wisdom) is not merely knowledge—it is discernment. It is the ability to perceive the right action within context, not blindly follow “rules”. 

The only Surgeon who has Zero (0) complications is the one doesn't operate at all!

This is especially relevant in surgery. Protocols guide us, but judgment defines us.

Compassion as Applied Strength

Wu De reframes compassion as an active force. In martial terms, it is the ability to neutralize harm without unnecessary violence. At higher levels of skill, one resolves conflict without destruction.

In medicine, this becomes the principle of minimizing harm—not only physically, but psychologically and emotionally.

Compassion is present in:

• choosing a less invasive intervention when necessary but not hiding behind a less invasive intervention because you are not capable or competent in performing such a procedure (in such cases please refer to medical colleagues who could) Or teaching a martial arts student how to fight on the street or spar when you have ZERO (0) such experience yourself first-hand! Send them to those who have done so and can teach!
• 
  
  
  
• taking time to explain rather than rushing and not trying to be “right” (even if you clearly are because it is better to “kind” sometimes than to be “right” all the time),
• acknowledging suffering without distancing from it. (empathy)https://drkhooleesengplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2020/12/cleft-surgery-life-free-from-bullying.html

Here, Ren(仁)(benevolence) becomes not sentiment, but disciplined care.

Discipline, Conduct, and the Invisible Practice

Wu De is often misunderstood as etiquette—bows, titles, rituals. But these are merely outward expressions. The essence lies in internal discipline: consistency, accountability, and self-regulation.

We see many people who only pedestalize those on top and of use to them like bosses or head of departments BUT they patronize and ill-treat others “beneath” them. In life, I believe in treating everyone & yes everyone from the cleaner and the trash-man with respect.

In the operating theatre, discipline manifests as steadiness under pressure. In acupuncture, it appears as sensitivity rather than force. In daily conduct, it becomes integrity—doing what is correct even when unseen.

Wu De 武德 emphasizes that virtue is not situational. It is continuous.

Restraint and Right Action

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of Wu De is restraint. The ability not to act.

In martial arts, the highest skill is avoiding unnecessary conflict. In medicine, it is avoiding unnecessary intervention.

Modern medicine often rewards action—procedures, prescriptions, interventions. Wu De introduces a counterbalance: just because something can be done does not mean it should be done.

Just because selling more fillers may make an aesthetic doctor more monies does not mean he should. https://drkhooleesengplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2020/08/filler-fatigue-what-your-doctor-does.html Similarly peddling false hope to parents of children with Cerebral palsy and Autism by pushing courses and courses of intrathecal stem cells as a “cure” just to profit does not mean we as medical professionals should do so!Haste Makes Waste: There Is No Solid Evidence to Translate the Use of Stem Cells into Clinical Practice for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - PMC

This aligns with Yi 義(righteousness)—the moral clarity to act appropriately within context, not merely efficiently.

Integration: Martial, Medical, and Human

As a medical acupuncturist, I navigate both biomedical science and traditional philosophy. Wu De serves as a bridge—not as a relic of the past, but as a functional framework for modern practice.

It reminds me that:

• healing is relational, not purely mechanical, there is a psychological and emotional aspect to it.Dr Khoo Lee Seng's Plastic Surgery Blog: EMOTIONS THAT CAN MAKE YOU SICK & EVEN IMPEDE HEALING POST SURGERY by Dr Khoo Lee Seng
• presence influences outcome,” being PRESENT with the patient – not checking your phone every minute, answering messages and taking calls during treatment”
• and the practitioner is part of the treatment (to constantly improve your clinical skills and judgement & to not be motivated by profits alone).https://drkhooleesengplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2025/12/what-god-forgot-to-tell-surgeons.html

Across all three disciplines—martial arts, surgery, and acupuncture—the same principle holds: skill must be guided by virtue, and virtue must be expressed through action.

Conclusion: The Quiet Standard

Wu De 武德 is not visible in titles or credentials. It cannot be quantified or easily taught through lectures. It is cultivated through repetition, reflection, and responsibility.

It is present in the restraint before a strike, the precision of an incision, and the sensitivity of a needle.

It is how one chooses to act when action carries weight.

In the end, Wu De 武德 is not about being a martial artist or a doctor—it is about becoming a person whose actions consistently align with clarity, responsibility, and humanity. This is severely lacking in today’s culture of excess, chasing trends, flexing and a loss of concentration and focus in a digitally dominated world.

And in that sense, every patient encounter, every procedure, every interaction becomes part of the same lifelong practice. A practice towards perfection of the human psyche and the art of self- realization & self-actualization.

This is Wu De 武德.

Unapologetically yours

Dr Khoo Lee Seng

 

Rib Remodelling (RibXcar): An Emerging Technique in Body Contouring

 

Rib Remodelling (RibXcar): An Emerging Technique in Body Contouring

This post has been long overdue as I actually attended the Rib Xcar Surgery Training program with the inventor of the technique himself Dr Raul Manzadena Cipriani & Dr Alexis Delobaux from February 2nd to February 4th 2026 at the romantic city of Paris much earlier in the year. I was the first Malaysian doctor to complete the Rib Xcar hands-on training program. 

Graduation Day!

    But firstly what is Rib Xcar? 

RibXcar: The New Way to a Defined Waistline

And why is this procedure changing the landscape of waist contouring and achieving the ultimate silhoutte or Waist To Hip (WHR) Ratio in females?

                                The Rib Cage and Lower Ribs contribute immensely to the WHR

         Rib Xcar can also accentuate the ideal Breast to Hip Ratio giving the most feminine curves

Rib Xcar: The Scarless Evolution of Waist Contouring and the Art of the Ideal Silhouette

In redefining femininity, few goals are as enduring—or as universally desired—as the beautifully balanced hourglass figure. Defined by a refined waist and harmonious proportions, the waist-to-hip ratio has long symbolized femininity, elegance, and confidence. 

(Note - However in Asia or in Malaysia, Oriental Chinese men {not me!} prefer the slim & straight body types as they have not evolved to appreciate curvy women yet - things are gradually changing though)

Yet for many women, achieving this silhouette isn’t simply a matter of diet, exercise, or even traditional body contouring such as liposuction. The ribcage itself—particularly the lower ribs—can set a structural limit on how narrow the waist can appear.

Today, a groundbreaking innovation is redefining those limits.

Rib Xcar introduces a new era in contouring: one that reshapes the silhouette at its structural foundation—without leaving long visible scars.

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The Art of the Silhouette

The beauty of the hourglass form lies in contrast: a cinched waist flowing seamlessly into fuller hips. While procedures like liposuction and fat transfer enhance soft tissue, they don’t address the underlying framework.

Rib Xcar takes a different approach.

Rather than removing fat alone, it refines the ribcage itself, allowing for a more dramatic yet natural narrowing of the waist. The result is not an artificial look, but a sculpted enhancement of your natural proportions—subtle, elegant, and deeply transformative.

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What Makes Rib Xcar Truly Different

At the heart of Rib Xcar is a defining advantage:

A "Needle-Access" Technique

Traditional rib-modification procedures required external incisions to remove the lower ribs, often leaving visible scars across the torso. 

                                                     The traditional rib modification technique

Rib Xcar changes that entirely.

By using micro-entry access points, often no larger than a millimeter, the procedure avoids visible scarring altogether. There are no long incisions, no telltale marks—just a refined silhouette.

This offers patients:

• Complete discretion — no visible evidence of surgery

• Confidence in any setting — from swimwear to intimate wear

• A modern aesthetic standard — results that appear entirely natural

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The Science Behind the Transformation

What makes Rib Xcar so innovative is not just the result—but the precision behind it.

Step-by-Step Overview of the Procedure

1. Precision Mapping
Using real-time ultrasound, the surgeon maps the exact position and curvature of the lower ribs (typically ribs 10–12). This ensures a highly customized plan tailored to each patient’s anatomy.

2. Micro-Access Entry
Tiny puncture points are created in the skin—so small they are designed to minimise visible scarring.

3. Ultrasonic Rib Remodeling
A specialized instrument (piezotome) delivers ultrasonic micro-vibrations that gently weaken the rib structure without cutting or removing it.

4. Controlled Repositioning

The ribs are carefully guided inward, reducing their outward flare and narrowing the waistline.

5. Real-Time Verification
Ultrasound is used again to confirm symmetry, positioning, and safety throughout the process.

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Visualizing the Change

Think of the ribcage as the frame of a garment:

• Before: The lower ribs flare outward, subtly widening the waist

• During: The structure is softened and gently reshaped

• After: The ribcage sits closer to the body, creating a naturally cinched, elegant contour

                                           Note the micro-incision sites overlying ribs 10, 11 an 12

This is not about removal—it’s about refinement.

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Sculpting the Ideal Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Even small reductions in waist width can dramatically enhance overall proportions. By narrowing the ribcage itself, Rib Xcar creates a stronger contrast between the waist and hips—one of the key elements of the hourglass figure.

When combined with complementary procedures such as liposuction or fat transfer, the effect can be even more striking—producing a smooth, continuous silhouette from ribcage to hip.

The outcome is balanced, proportionate, and uniquely tailored to each patient.

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The Origin: Innovation by Dr. Raúl Manzaneda Cipriani

Rib Xcar is not just a technique—it’s the result of a deliberate effort to solve a long-standing challenge in aesthetic surgery.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12466906/

Developed by Dr. Raúl Manzaneda Cipriani, a plastic surgeon from Peru (Latin America), the procedure emerged from a clear patient demand:
a smaller waist—without scars, without rib removal, and without extreme invasiveness.

The Problem with Traditional Methods

Historically, achieving significant waist narrowing involved:

• Rib removal procedures that were highly invasive

• External incisions that left permanent visible scars

• Longer recovery times and increased surgical risk

Patients wanted transformation—but not at that cost.

(Me & Dr Manzadena sharing a lighter moment)

The Breakthrough Approach

Dr. Manzaneda introduced a new paradigm by combining:

• Ultrasound-guided precision

• Piezoelectric (ultrasonic) technology for controlled bone remodeling

• Percutaneous access techniques to eliminate large incisions

He also refined specialized instruments to allow delicate, controlled rib reshaping—making the procedure both safer and more predictable.

The result was Rib Xcar: a technique that reshapes rather than removes, and enhances without leaving large visible scars.

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A Modern Evolution in Body Contouring

Since its introduction, Rib Xcar has gained international attention and is increasingly adopted by surgeons trained in advanced body contouring techniques.

Safety Considerations

As with all surgical procedures, careful patient selection and risk assessment are essential. Potential concerns discussed in the literature and professional forums include:

* post-operative pain and recovery variability

* risk of contour irregularities

* lack of long-term structural outcome data

* need for highly specialised anatomical understanding

Patients should be fully informed of the evolving nature of such techniques and the current limitations in emerging aesthetic surgical innovations. There is limited long term data, variation in technique and training of doctors in the procedure itself, consensus guideline endorsement vary and the need for further studies in the procedure itself.

Who Is It For?

Rib Xcar is especially suited for women who:

• Feel their waistline is limited by their rib structure

• Desire a more defined, sculpted midsection

• Want noticeable results without very visible scars

• Value natural-looking, proportionate enhancement

As always, suitability depends on individual anatomy and goals, making expert consultation essential.

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Final Thoughts: Beauty Without Evidence

Rib Xcar represents more than a technical advancement—it represents a philosophy.

Professional and Regulatory Context

The acceptance and regulation of newer aesthetic procedures vary significantly between jurisdictions. Not all techniques are recognised, approved, or routinely performed in every country.

This article is intended for educational and academic discussion only.

It does not constitute medical advice or an offer of treatment.

To learn more about Rib Xcar, you may access the following links :

Women are spending $20K+ to shrink their waists in viral craze experts call 'RibXcar'

Plastic surgeon reveals women are getting shocking $20k 'invisarib' procedure to contour their waists | Daily Mail Online

RibXcar: The New Way to a Defined Waistline

Sincerely yours,

Dr Khoo Lee Seng 

                       The after party at a chic Parisian restaurant below the Eiffel Tower.

                      Surgeons came from all corners of the world for training in RibXcar!

Note- I completed my Plastic Surgery residency training at the Ivo Pitanguy Institute 38th Infirmary of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia General Hospital in Rio de Janeiro. You may read more about Ivo Pitanguy here who is credited as being the Father of Modern Plastic Surgery https://drkhooleesengplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/search/label/Ivo%20Pitanguy?m=1

To learn more about the training program at the Ivo Pitanguy Institute please check out this link

Post-graduate training in plastic surgery at the Department of Professor Ivo Pitanguy: A report

Author’s Involvement

                                
          At The Gala Dinner Graduation Party with Dr Manzadena & Dr Delaboux

This article is for academic discussion only. This procedure currently is not offered by the author in Malaysia and remains an evolving technique with ongoing evaluation.

The author has academic exposure as both a trainer and a trainee to contemporary developments in body contouring and participates in educational activities, including live surgery & cadaveric training settings, where emerging techniques may be discussed and demonstrated for academic & professional learning purposes.

For a full list of my research publications and book chapters please click 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=00YRWlsAAAAJ&hl=en

 

Chi Kung: The Medicine of Energy, Mind and Form

By Dr Khoo Lee Seng

In modern medicine, we are trained to observe structure, measure pathology, and intervene with precision. As a registered Western medical practitioner who completed Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery residency and also a practitioner of medical acupuncture, I have spent decades studying anatomy, physiology, and the science of healing. Yet, there exists another dimension of medicine—older, quieter, and deeply experiential—that complements what we see under the microscope.

This is the art of Chi Kung (Qi Gong).

Chi Kung is an ancient system within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that integrates movement, breath, and mind regulation to cultivate and harmonise the body’s vital energy—Qi . While Western science may describe its effects in terms of nervous system regulation, circulation, and musculoskeletal conditioning, Chi Kung approaches the human being as an integrated energetic system.

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Qi, Aging, and the Silent Decline of Vitality

Aging, in Western medicine, is often described as cellular senescence, oxidative stress, and progressive degeneration. In Chi Kung, aging is understood more simply—and perhaps more truthfully—as the gradual depletion and stagnation of Qi.

When Qi flows freely:

• tissues are nourished
• sinews remain supple
• the mind is clear
• the spirit is anchored

When Qi stagnates:

• toxins accumulate
• fascia and sinews tighten
• circulation is impaired
• disease begins to manifest

If you look at the electrical circuit in the illustration, you will see that:

1. The Qì channels are like the wires that carry electric current.

2. The internal organs are like the electrical components such as resistors and solenoids.

3. The Qì vessels are like capacitors, which regulate the current in the circuit.

4. The dāntián is like a battery, which stores the charge and provides the EMF in the circuit.

Modern research does show that practices like Chi Kung can improve circulation, flexibility, balance, and even aspects of cardiovascular health . From a surgeon’s perspective, this translates into improved tissue quality, better healing potential, and resilience against degeneration.

But Chi Kung goes further—it addresses the root.

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Sinews, Fascia and the Hidden Network of Health

In surgery, we see the fascia and connective tissues directly. These are not inert structures. They are living, dynamic, responsive. You may read more about the concept of fascia in the link below.

https://drkhooleesengplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2025/07/fasciadiseaseandacupuncture.html

Figure A- Healthy Fascia which are neatly organized that allow easy gliding and smooth movements

Figure B- Aging and entangled fascia result in chronic pain, loss of flexibility and onset of degeneration.

Chi Kung traditions have long described the importance of “sinews” (tendons and fascia) as the physical expression of internal vitality. Practices such as Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) specifically aim to transform these tissues—making them elastic, resilient, and energetically alive.

From a biomedical standpoint, this correlates with:

• improved fascial glide
• enhanced proprioception
• reduced chronic tension patterns

                                                      Tight entangled fascia causes lymph stagnation

From an energetic standpoint, it allows Qi to flow unimpeded through the meridians which are flow within the fascial connections.

Where there is stiffness, there is stagnation.
Where there is stagnation, there is disease.

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Toxins: Beyond the Physical

We often speak of toxins in biochemical terms—metabolic waste, environmental pollutants, inflammatory mediators.

But in Chi Kung, toxins also include:

• unresolved emotional states - anger, hatred, apathy, jealousy, evil thoughts.
• chronic stress patterns - worry, anxiety, greed.
• habitual negative thinking - the refusal of accepting facts and truths.

Dr Khoo Lee Seng's Plastic Surgery Blog: EMOTIONS THAT CAN MAKE YOU SICK & EVEN IMPEDE HEALING POST SURGERY by Dr Khoo Lee Seng

These are not abstract ideas. They manifest physically.

Persistent anger tightens the chest and jaw.
Fear weakens the kidneys and posture.
Worry knots the abdomen.

Over time, these patterns obstruct Qi flow and alter physiology.

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The Mind as the Primary Physician

One of the most overlooked truths in both Eastern and Western medicine is this:

The mind directs the body.

In Chi Kung, improper thoughts—particularly:

• anger
• resentment
• blame towards others
• internalised negativity

—are seen as major disruptors of Qi.

When a person constantly assigns blame externally, they lose internal agency. The mind becomes scattered, the breath becomes shallow, and Qi becomes chaotic. This disrupted chi is shown on the face and facial micro-expressions. A cruel person or someone who mentally unsound or even an instigator of evil can be "felt" and "seen" by their aura ("chi") and their facial appearance.

Dr Khoo Lee Seng's Plastic Surgery Blog: Leaking Qi & Depleted Jing- The Cause of All Medical Maladies & Premature Aging by Dr Lee Seng Khoo

This is not philosophy alone. It is observable.

Modern studies show that Chi Kung integrates mental focus, breathing, and movement to regulate both psychological and physiological states .

A disturbed mind leads to disturbed Qi. Disturbed Qi leads to disease.

---

Facial Feng Shui: The Face as a Map of the Mind

As a plastic surgeon, I have a unique vantage point.

The face is not merely anatomy—it is history.

Over time, emotional patterns sculpt facial structure:

• chronic anger hardens the jaw and deepens lines
• worry hollows the midface
• resentment tightens the eyes
• fear alters posture and expression

Evil or cruelty can be seen on face due to manifestation of internal states.

(You may watch my webinar on Facial Feng Shui and Cosmetic Surgery here)

https://youtu.be/-SiQubvjpcI

This is what traditional practitioners refer to as facial feng shui—the outward manifestation of internal imbalance. You may read more about Facial Feng Shui and how plastic surgery and emotion management can alter the facial structures and appearance.

https://healthcaretoday.com.my/facial-feng-shui-bridging-aesthetics-with-cultural-harmony.html

No injection or surgical technique can fully reverse what is continuously reinforced by the mind.

Chi Kung, however, works from the inside outward.

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The Systems of Practice I Teach

My training in Chi Kung emphasizes both structure and spontaneity. The systems I practice and teach my students include:

Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocades)- Wuji modification

A foundational system of dynamic movements that:

• improves circulation
• stretches the sinews
• regulates organ systems

Microcosmic Orbit- Wuji Modification

A meditative practice circulating Qi through the Ren and Du meridians:

• enhances internal energy flow
• stabilizes emotional states
• builds internal awareness

Yi Jin Jing - Wuji Modification

Focused on transforming muscles and tendons:

• increases strength and elasticity
• improves posture and structural integrity

Xi Sui Jing (Marrow Cleansing)

A deeper internal practice aimed at:

• revitalising internal systems
• strengthening core vitality

Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang)

Often underestimated, this is one of the most powerful practices:

• develops a one-pointed mind
• builds internal force
• aligns structure with energy

I also practice moving meditation using Gung Fu forms that realigns the muscles and fascia to promote qi flow and cat-like reflexes.

Spontaneous Chi Flow

At higher levels, the body begins to move naturally:

• releasing deep blockages
• restoring natural rhythms
• allowing the body to “self-correct”

At this stage the body will sway and move on its own accord and practitioners may jump, roll, cry or simply enjoy the movements that allows chi to flow and unblock "blocked" meridians and channels in the human body.

Example of the hand Jue Yin pericadium meridian.

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Death, Stillness, and the Return to Simplicity

Ultimately, Chi Kung is not merely about health or longevity.

It is about alignment—with oneself.

Death, in this framework, is not an enemy but a transition. A life lived with chaotic Qi, emotional turbulence, and internal conflict leads to suffering—both in life and at its end.

A life cultivated through:

• calm mind
• balanced emotions
• smooth Qi flow

—leads to clarity, acceptance, and peace.

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Bridging Two Worlds

As a Western-trained doctor & surgeon, I do not reject science. On the contrary, I rely on it daily.

But science, at its current stage, measures what is tangible. Chi Kung operates in a domain that is experiential, functional, and deeply personal.

The two are not in conflict.

They are complementary.

Where surgery corrects structure, Chi Kung restores function.

Where medicine treats disease, Chi Kung cultivates health.

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Conclusion

Chi Kung is ultimately a practice of responsibility.

Not blaming others. Not inciting hatred. Not harboring evil thoughts or intentions. Not externalizing suffering. Not waiting for cure.

But cultivating:

• clarity of mind
• harmony of emotion
• smoothness of Qi

Health is not given. It is cultivated.

Meanwhile, keep smiling from your heart! Keep pleasant thoughts if not for others, at least for your own health!

Dr Khoo Lee Seng