By Dr. Lauren Dyer

DAC, LAC, Dipl. Ac NCCAOM

In the true spirit of Halloween, as the veil between realms is said to thin, I wanted to share about The Ghost Points in Acupuncture.

The 13 Ghost Points come from an ancient and esoteric practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) introduced by Sun Si-Miao, a renowned Acupuncturist and Herbalist during the 6th Century’s Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). He created The Ghost Points as a systematic approach to the treatment of mental and neurological disorders which were believed to be due to spiritual possession. Conditions from mania, paranoia, addiction, seizures, paralysis, lockjaw, headaches, and even nightmares were blamed on the invasion of ghosts or Gui (鬼).

WHAT’S IN A GHOST?

Gui is not a perfect translation for ghosts as we think of them today, but instead means “excess phlegm,” which Sun Si-Miao believed to be the medium by which these spirits took residence in the body. In modern Acupuncture practices today, Phlegm is considered a pathogenic substance that forms from emotional stress, excess physical overwork, poor diet, drugs, and inflammation (excess heat and/or dampness in the body).

Phlegm can be both material and ethereal. When phlegm is dense in a physical form, it can be tangible like the mucus from nasal congestion or visible though imaging such as amyloid beta plaques in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s. However in TCM, Phlegm can also be invisible. In this case, phlegm can cloud the spirit of the heart, which Acupuncturists refer to as The Shen.

THE PATH OF THE CLOUDED SPIRIT

The Shen governs our consciousness: how we perceive and interact with world around us. If the Shen is disturbed, someone might share how they don’t feel like themselves, act out of character, or lose sight of their purpose and life’s dreams.

In practice, I see Shen disharmonies in those who have a hard time letting go of past hurts, when shame and guilt are carried for years as well as those who struggle with self-destructive habits.

A clouded shen also appears in those who feel like they lack direction in life or struggle with crippling indecision. Loss, heartache from being “ghosted,” but also deep-seated fear of expressing one’s most authentic self all affect the Heart and therefore, the Shen spirit.

CALLING A GHOST BY ITS NAME…

The nature and hold that a ghost or Gui has on someone’s life depends on the person.

It can be the lingering memory of a person.

For empaths, it can be the negative energy taken on (willingly not) by their environment.

Depending on someone’s beliefs and culture, a ghost is just that: a misunderstood or malevolent entity, a hex, or a benevolent spirit guide looking to connect through material form.

For others, their ghost might be an addiction, fixation, or obsessive-compulsive tendency.

So whether you believe in the spirit-world or not, Ghost Points are said to help a soul find their place in the cosmos. They lend an ancient insight to assist in the treatment of mental and emotional conditions through Acupuncture today. They offer the opportunity to release your real or figurative ghosts: whatever has an overpowering hold over you, preventing you from connecting to your truth and essence. By doing so, you can regain the clarity to move forward in new, revitalizing ways.

In practice, I apply them to help cultivate a deeper connection to one’s body + intuition, reintegrate the psyche, and process long-standing trauma which often manifests in chronic pain. Each point has its own application so when intentionally paired with one or two other Ghost Points, I have seen (and experienced myself) how they emit a sense of safety and grounding to reclaim one’s sense of self, direction in life, and awaken the will to pursue their potential.

That’s the beauty of Acupuncture: it promotes self-healing and lasting change by treating the mind, body, and spirit-body as one.

If you feel ready to be supported in these ways, I invite you to learn more about Acupuncture or schedule your first treatment below.

Thank you for reading!

Behind The Blog

HI, I’M LAUREN DYER.

I am the Co-Founder and Doctor of Acupuncture (DAC) here at Empower in New Gloucester, Maine. I specialize in supporting those with Chronic Pain, Emotional + Mental Wellness, and GI Health.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these are areas that not only relate to and reflect one another, but are also close to my heart.

If you struggle with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, the effects of trauma, a difficult transition, or something else, I am here help you navigate and own your healing process.