"Those who treat the ill and in particular those who use non-conventional medicines are well aware of the importance of certain psychic aspects in the disorders told by patients. Some patients speak directly of anxiety, depression, insomnia and agitation, expressing an emotional and mental discomfort; others describe this 'feeling unwell' through sensations such as pain, weight, swelling, knots. 

There are times when the 'emotional illness' shows itself clearly, and others in which it insinuates gradually, with the most alarming expressions. In both cases it is clear that a psychic part permeates our everyday practice. On these occasions Chinese medicine is quite useful because it considers the person as a whole; it addresses the 'ill', which in Latin is 'malatus' from 'male habitu(m)'—someone who is not in a good state. 

Acupuncture has attracted many of us precisely because it is a medicine that considers the person as a whole. Moreover it seems to produce substantial effects even on the subtlest aspects, in spite of its apparent focus on the body. It is always fascinating to see how important is the connection between psychic and physical disorders in the 'Chinese' mode of interpreting signs in the patients. It is also a great comfort to see how our work is facilitated by not having to separate emotional, mental and somatic layers. 

The effectiveness of acupuncture is also confirmed by clinical practice and by research studies. It is a discipline that stands in a consistent theoretical universe, with a well-documented tradition of experience and clinical reflection. Furthermore it is a flexible tool that can be adapted to different sociocultural situations."

Excerpt from Shén: Psycho-Emotional Aspects in Chinese Medicine by Elisa Rossi, MD, PhD, BA