Obsessive Thinkingaccording to TCM

What is Obsessive Thinking?

Obsessive thinking is a mental condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts that dominate a person's consciousness. This phenomenon goes beyond ordinary worries or anxieties, often manifesting as intrusive and repetitive thoughts or mental images.

These obsessions can be distressing and significantly interfere with daily life, leading to compulsive behaviors as attempts to alleviate the discomfort caused by the obsessions. Understanding and addressing obsessive thinking is crucial for mental health, as it can impact various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and overall well-being.

How does TCM view Obsessive Thinking?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches obsessive thinking differently from Western medicine. In TCM, such mental disturbances are viewed as symptoms of underlying imbalances within the body's energy system, or Qi.

TCM posits that mental health issues like obsessive thinking arise from disharmonies in Yin and Yang, or disruptions in the flow of Qi. The key in TCM is identifying these patterns of disharmony, as each pattern calls for a unique approach to treatment. This holistic view sees mental health as intricately connected to physical and energetic health.

Acupoints for Obsessive Thinking

In TCM, acupuncture is a vital tool for addressing issues like obsessive thinking. Specific acupoints are targeted to rebalance the Qi and address the underlying patterns of disharmony. One such acupoint is Yishe BL-49, located 3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra (T11).

Yishe BL-49 is known for its actions in resolving Damp-Heat and benefiting the Intellect, which can be particularly effective for treating symptoms of obsessive thinking. Stimulating this acupoint can help restore the balance of Qi, leading to an alleviation of the persistent, intrusive thoughts characteristic of obsessive thinking.

See more details below about Yishe BL-49, an acupoint used to address obsessive thinking.

Yishe BL-49

3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra (T11).