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Traditional and Scientific approaches to Emotional Health Through Acupuncture

2/2/2016

10 Comments

 
Authored by Marian Kimball Eichinger, L.Ac.

Achieving emotional health and balance is an inherent principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Five Element Theory. The basis of these theories of healing is the holistic and symbiotic concept of organ energy systems: the Lung system, the Liver system, the Heart system, the Spleen system and the Kidney system. Each organ system has a number of characteristics including an element (Lung is to metal as Heart is to fire), a season (Kidney is to winter as Liver is to spring), and an emotion. The emotion for Lung is Grief and Sadness. The emotion for Liver is Anger. The emotion for Heart is Joy. The emotion for Spleen is Over-Thinking. The emotion for Kidney is Fear. These emotions are referred to as the “Internal Demons” in traditional texts, which when acting out of balance can wreak havoc on the mind, body and spirit. If all is running and functioning smoothly through the organ systems in our body, then our emotions are balanced, our health is good and we are disease free. However, if there is a blockage within a system, caused by trauma, abuse, poor diet, an unhealthy lifestyle, or outside pathogens such as viruses, bacteria or allergens, an imbalance among the organ systems results. This imbalance can cause a physical symptoms such as pain, headache, cough, skin rash, or menstrual disorders, or emotional systems such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, irritability, and stress. As an acupuncturist, my job is to diagnose the affected organ system and then apply needles to specifically locate points on the body that will balance, tonify, move, warm, drain, unblock, cool, stimulate or regulate the organ systems. Interesting, of the 365 original acupuncture points, 135 of them (37%) are used to treat mental, emotional or spiritual disharmony.

Beyond the traditional concepts of organ systems, meridians and points on the torso and limbs, there are other more contemporary micro-arenas of points on the ear and scalp which contain points and combinations of points that are particularly effective at treating emotional disorders. For instance, the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Protocol which is made up of five points on the ear is used around the world to help people with substance abuse. Other auricular protocols are used to treat PTSD, cigarette addiction and overeating. One study shows how electrical stimulation added to scalp points can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by stimulating the production centers of serotonin and norepinephrine, while another shows how acupuncture stimulates other emotion processing-related areas of the brain.
As you can see, the science is slowly catching up with the traditional knowledge developed over thousands of years of empirical observation and practice. More and more studies are being undertaken to show how acupuncture benefits emotional balance and overall health.

And best of all: it is a drug free choice that has no side effects!
 

References:
Dhond RP, Kettner N, Napadow V. Neuroimaging acupuncture effects in the human brain. J Altern Complement Med 2007, 13(6):603–616. 
Hammer, Leon. Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies: Psychology and Chinese Medicine. Eastland Press; Seattle, 2010.
Zhang Z-J, Ng R, Man SC, Li TYJ, Wong W, et al. Dense Cranial Electroacupuncture Stimulation for Major Depressive Disorder—A Single-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Study. PLoS ONE 2012, 7(2): 10.1371.
10 Comments
Donnie Greer
7/30/2018 05:43:44 am

Basically, the traditional approach sticks to performing meditation to get an immediate relief from the adversity of emotional distress. Well, acupuncture is an approved tactic to deal with anxiety. Like anxiety, depression is another emotional health issue. And fortunately, acupuncture is also taken as an effective treatment for depression. However, medical science has advanced a lot. Modern-day medical science recommends to delete negative people from the life, cultivate an attitude of gratitude, have a compelling vision, and focus on enjoying the life- https://www.reginafasold.com/blog/stop-feeling-guilty-and-start-enjoying-life/ in order to improve the status of your emotional health conditions.

Reply
Amy Winters link
10/31/2018 10:44:25 am

I'm glad you pointed out that electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety by stimulation production centers and emotion processing areas of the brain. I've suffered from depression and anxiety for a few years now, but I hadn't heard that electro acupuncture might be able to help me. I'll definitely take your advice and find a local acupuncture service to try!

Reply
Gillian Babcock link
3/25/2019 10:04:10 pm

My sister is having a hard time sleeping and my mom suggested trying acupuncture to help with her anxiety. It was explained here that acupuncture also relieves emotional health as well aside from viruses. Moreover, it's recommended to go to trusted businesses when in need of acupuncture for anxiety services.

Reply
Ellie Davis link
12/9/2019 11:14:45 am

It's interesting to know that acupuncture will provide balance and overall health. My brother has been struggling with back pain, and we are looking for advice. I will let him know about the benefits of acupuncture to help him.

Reply
Jesse
12/9/2019 11:31:14 am

Ellie,
Acupuncture, cupping, chiropractic care and massage can all be helpful with treating back pain. Reducing inflammation with diet and lifestyle is another approach where relief may be found. All our best to him!

Reply
Luke Smith link
12/16/2019 05:29:13 pm

It's interesting to know that acupuncture can help alleviate mental health illnesses such as PTSD and addiction by applying needles on auricular and ear points. My aunt suffered a lot after we lost our cousin from a car accident last year, and we've been trying to find ways on how we can make her see life on a brighter side again. It seems like bringing her to an acupuncturist is another intervention that we have to consider and do because this can be the answer to her longstanding silence.

Reply
Jesse Haas
12/17/2019 08:37:18 am

I hope your aunt finds some healing - and relief! - soon.

Reply
rachel frampton link
9/7/2020 08:59:14 pm

I'm planning to try the acupuncture treatment because I heard that this may help ease anxiety, and relax the body. It's interesting to learn that acupuncture can cure any imbalance that may affect us in the long run. I also never knew that this type of treatment may help treat PTSD and smoke addiction.

Reply
Fred Gibbons link
4/6/2021 09:04:34 am

It's cool that you mention that acupuncture can benefit your emotional health. I want to have good emotional health, so I'm thinking about trying acupuncture soon. I'm going to look for a reputable acupuncturist in the area that I can use.

Reply
wade joel link
9/1/2021 03:34:16 pm

I was not aware that acupuncture can help you to clean your body from viruses and emotional problems such as anxiety. My wife has been thinking about how to improve our overall health since we have been struggling with anxiety problems. I will make sure to let him know about the benefits of acupuncture.

Reply



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