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Acupuncture and treating the spirit?

Page last modified on: September 29, 2008
Question from Eileen: Mary Ellen, do you treat the spirit in your acupuncture treatments? And if so, what do you find is often needed, and what points do you find yourself frequently using to deal with the emotional aspects of having cancer?
Answer —Mary Ellen Scheckenbach, M.Ac.: That is a very large question! Many forms of acupuncture treatments treat the spirit. Much of the acupuncture from China comes from the period when Mao was in power. In America, much of that has been maintained or rejuvenated from certain teachers who come to this country. Traditionally in Chinese medicine, the spirit is always treated, because it is the finest level of our being, and therefore the most important in many respects.

When treating at the spirit level, what is often needed is to evoke, in Chinese terms, the five spirits, which are hope, compassion, service, forgiveness, and courage. All of these things are vitally important to be active in the journey through a significant illness. Which points are treated is entirely dependent on the constitution of the person and how the person presents each day or at a treatment. So theoretically, you could use any point.

On Wednesday, March 16, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Acupuncture and Touch Therapies. Mary-Ellen Scheckenbach, M.Ac., Tracy Walton, L.M.T., M.S., and moderator Beth Baughman Dupree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about acupuncture and touch therapies.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Mary Ellen Scheckenbach, M.Ac. is co-founder of Hidden River: A Center for Health in Philadelphia. Ms. Scheckenbach has practiced acupuncture and chinese herbology since 1986 with an emphasis on women's health, chronic disease, and pain.

Tracy Walton, L.M.T., M.S. consults to hospitals and massage schools and teaches "Caring for Clients with Cancer," courses offered nationally for massage therapists.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

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