The Healing Power of Tears: Release all the emotional tension
The Healing Power of Tears: When Acupuncture Releases More Than Just Pain
In my clinic recently, I had a profound experience with two different female patients that reminded me why I chose the path of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Both women came in seeking treatment to tonify Qi and Blood—essentially, they were feeling depleted, physically exhausted, and “empty.” However, shortly after the needles were placed and the body began to shift into a state of deep rest, something unexpected happened: they both began to cry.
When I gently asked if they were in pain, they both gave the same striking answer: “I don’t know why, but the tears just won’t stop coming.”
Why We Cry on the Treatment Table
In our modern lives, we are taught to be “strong,” which often translates to “suppressing.” We carry years of frustration, hidden stresses, and silent grief in our physical tissues. We hold our breath, tighten our shoulders, and push forward.
From a TCM perspective, health is the harmonious dance between the Liver, Heart, Spleen, and Kidney.
- The Liver stores our emotions and ensures the smooth flow of Qi.
- The Heart houses the Shen (spirit).
- The Spleen and Kidney provide the foundation for our energy and blood.
When we are overwhelmed, our Qi becomes stagnant—like a dam blocking a river. Acupuncture doesn’t just move blood; it breaks that dam. By harmonizing these organ systems, the “stuck” emotions (the Ulbun or pent-up resentment) finally find a way out.
Emotional Detoxification
The tears these patients shed weren’t signs of new sadness; they were signs of release. As the Qi began to flow and the Blood began to nourish the Heart, the emotional armor they had worn for years simply melted away.
This is the true essence of Oriental Medicine. It is not merely about fixing a backache or resolving insomnia. It is about opening the path to genuine healing by:
- Reconnecting the Mind and Body: Recognizing that emotional pain is physical pain.
- Unblocking Stagnant Energy: Allowing suppressed feelings to exit the body safely.
- Restoring Harmony: Balancing the internal organs so the spirit can feel “at home” again.
A Path to Wholeness
If you find yourself crying during or after an acupuncture session, do not be afraid. Your body is finally exhaling. By circulating the Blood and balancing the Qi, we create a space where your heart can breathe again.
Healing begins the moment we stop holding it all together and allow our energy to flow freely.
