In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) mental and emotional health are related to the functioning of qi (the vital life force pronounced chee) and blood. Qi is the commander of blood and blood is the mother of qi. One is yin, one is yang interdependent on each other, ever flowing and meandering like the stream.

When the qi and blood flow freely in the body there is good health in body, mind and spirit. When the qi and blood become stagnant and slow down, illness occurs in the body, mind and spirit. The emotions are very much related to the qi.

In TCM there are five primary organ systems that have distinct mental and emotional aspects that influence the body. The qi is related to the energetic properties of those systems and not the actual organ.

The liver energy system represents anger and those feelings on the continum of anger such as frustration, sadness, depression.  Depression is anger turned inward.  Anger causes the qi to ascend. Sour is the flavor associated with the liver systerm.  How many times have we heard that something turned sour?

The heart energy system pertains to joy and lack of joy.  In TCM, overjoy turns to mania and lack of joy may be something like every day doldrums, not quite happy but not quite sad; just somewhere in between, drudging along.  Joy causes the the qi to move slow.  Bitter is the flavor associated with the heart system.  Sometimes life is bittersweet.

The spleen energy system is the grounding energy in the body.  Spleen system is related to the earth element.  Worry and overthinking are common results of an imbalance in this system.  Thinking causes the qi to bind in knots.  Sweet is the preferred flavor for the spleen.  Cravings for sweets often occur when this system is out of balance.

The lung energy system manifests as grief.  Crying for the loss of a loved one or the loss of a job or anything loved that is lost is related to the lung system.  Grief can manifest as anything from acknowledging a loss to a crippling emotional pain that cuases bodily disease and dampens the spirit.  Sorrow causes the qi to scatter.  Pugnent is the flavor associated with the lung system.

The kidney energy system is the foundation energy system of the body.  Fear and its gradations such as anxiety represent the kidney system.  This refers to the flight or fight syndrome that is thousands of years old.  Cavemen instinctually knew when to stand their ground and when to flee.  In our modern world, stress is so abundant that our bodies are overwhelmed making it difficult to know when to stay and when to go because of a weakened kidney energy system.  Fear causes the qi to descend.  Salty is the associated flavor for the kidney system.

Each of these systems has a healthy function when the qi flows freely.  The emotions are always taken into consideration when making a Chinese medical diagnosis and determining the root of the problem.  Traditional Chinese medicine has an important role in helping the body, mind and spirit remain healthy.  There are many side benefits to this natural medicine. 

Dr. Linda, an acupuncturist in Tampa, has unique training to help identify and treat mental and emotional health concerns.

Conveniently located in Oldsmar, near Westchase, Palm Harbor, Clearwater and Safety Harbor  Providing acupuncture and massage in Tampa Bay since 2004.