Emotions and the Body: Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine

Exploring emotional healing through traditional Chinese approaches

During my time studying traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, I became deeply interested in how emotional health is understood and addressed within Chinese medical philosophy.

In traditional Chinese thought, the mind and body are not separate entities. Instead, they are seen as part of one continuous, interconnected system. Emotional experiences are understood to directly influence physical health, and vice versa.

The concept of Qi and emotional flow

A core idea in Chinese medicine is the concept of Qi (vital energy). Emotions are seen as movements of Qi within the body. When emotions are processed and expressed naturally, Qi flows smoothly.

However, when emotions are repressed, denied, or become overwhelming, Qi can become "stuck." This stagnation can manifest as physical symptoms such as tension, digestive disturbances, fatigue, or chronic pain as well as emotional symptoms like irritability, low mood, or anxiety.

Organ systems and emotional patterns

In Chinese medicine, each organ system is associated with particular emotional patterns:

- Liver: Anger and frustration.

- Lungs: Grief and sadness.

- Heart: Joy and emotional balance (or disturbances like restlessness and anxiety when out of harmony).

- Spleen: Worry and overthinking.

- Kidneys: Fear and insecurity.

This framework offers a poetic yet surprisingly practical lens for understanding how longstanding emotional patterns might influence physical health.

Blending ancient insights with modern practice

While these traditional frameworks are not scientific in the Western sense, they offer valuable metaphors and starting points for exploring the relationship between body and emotion.

In my own integrative work, I draw on this understanding alongside counselling and body-based approaches to help clients explore how their emotional lives show up physically.

Rather than simply "treating symptoms," this approach invites us to become more aware of our patterns, listen to the signals of the body, and develop a deeper sense of connection and coherence.

An invitation to explore

If you're curious about how your emotional patterns might be influencing your body  or if you'd like to explore this integrative approach further feel free to get in touch.