Healing Emotions

Acupuncture works beyond the physical by opening and harmonizing the channels of “qi” that run throughout the body. The simple insertion of an acupuncture needle into a specific point can have a multitude of effects on the physical, emotional and energetic levels of the body.

Understanding Points
Acupuncture points are where the qi of the body pools or collects at specific areas throughout the body. By stimulating an acupuncture point we are able to influence the local area, as seen in the relief of localized pain, influence the internal organs to enhance their function. An example of this is the use of ST36, located lateral side of the leg, which has been shown to increase HCL production in the stomach. Increasing digestion and resolving bloating.

Emotions & Acupuncture
In the context of Chinese medicine, emotions can influence and are influenced by the physical body. Each organ has an association to an emotion. Excessive emotions can cause an imbalance in the physical organs or an imbalance of the physical organ can cause a specific emotion to arise.

For example, depression can be caused by the depletion of kidney qi. The kidneys can become depleted from overwork, excessive sexual activity or lack of sleep among other things. We also know that depression can stem from neurological dysfunction specific neurotransmitters are imbalanced. Excessive mental-emotional depression over a period of time can therefore also impact the qi of the kidneys.

One of the best ways to relieve mild to moderate depression is through exercises that strengthen kidney qi and/or supplementing with herbs that have an affinity to reinforce the kidneys. By strengthening the body, we find the emotions naturally begin to come into balance.

  • Liver (anger)

  • Kidney (fear/depression)

  • Heart (excessive joy or laughter)

  • Lung (sadness and grief)

  • Spleen (excessive worry)

All of us have a predominant emotion which is expressed during times of stress. Some of us laugh, others feel anger or feel a sense of fear and depression. By reflecting on what our innate emotion is under times of stress will enable us to understand more deeply what organ(s) may be out of balance.

Emotions in TCM, Understanding emotions, Acupuncture and emotions, AngerBrian BlinnAcupuncture