Acupuncture for Mental Health

Acupuncture for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health

People commonly report after receiving acupuncture treatment how they feel better able to “deal with the world”.

Whether the issue is grief, depression, frustration, anger, feeling numb - acupuncture treatments can help.

How is this so?

I could write from numerous perspectives, but today I’d like to explore the role of Blood in Chinese medicine.

The term ‘blood’ is frequently used in Chinese medicine clinics. We see blood as one of the fundamental pieces of the puzzle to health and wellbeing.

I recently listened to a lecture by Evan Rabinowitz on emotional health titled, ‘Blood is Shen Qi’. It was profound.

Shen in Chinese means spirit, or the divine or consciousness. (Chinese characters often have a few meanings.).

If we have emotional unrest such as grief or anger, we may describe it as a Shen disturbance, as if the spirit or consciousness of the person has been disturbed on some level.

Chinese medicine relates the Shen to the heart.

Makes sense, we know the strong relationship between the heart and blood circulation. If the heart is robust, the circulation of blood flows through the arteries and veins with ease. There is warmth in the fingers and toes, rosy cheeks, a regular heartbeat and more prone to a balanced mood. This is a healthy picture. Different to when the extremities are cold, the face is pale, possible heart palpitations and the mood may be low. This is an issue with how the blood is circulating.

Exercise is now commonly prescribed by Western medical doctors for depression. This demonstrates the clear relationship between blood circulation and mood.

When someone walks in the room, we can almost immediately tell what kind of mood they’re in. We are reading their Shen. The Shen is everywhere. In the posture, the hair, the shine in the eyes.

Chinese medicine and acupuncture assists many things at once. Cold feet and depression, dry hair and difficulty sleeping, painful muscles and anger.

When we address the circulation of blood, it’s as if the flood gates are released and blood is now flowing into the whole being.

Blood is the Spirit.

Body is the Mind and Emotion.

We are body/mind. Not seperate.

If you need support and you think acupuncture may be helpful, get in touch.

Find me in either Preston or Fitzroy Shiatsu clinic, Naarm. Melbourne

None of this article was AI generated.

“Blood is Shen Qi” – from the ancient medical text, The Ling Shu (The Spiritual Pivot)