In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a link exists between emotions and bodily organs. Emotions, according to TCM, are natural and neutral, neither inherently “good” nor “bad.” However, they can become imbalanced, suppressed, or excessive. TCM suggests that when emotions are repeatedly stifled or expressed inappropriately, they can manifest as physical symptoms within their corresponding internal organ systems.
The impact of our emotions on our bodies is emphasised, suggesting that persistent or intense emotional states can potentially harm specific organs, such as chronic anger negatively affecting the liver.
A 2017 study titled “Understanding Mind-Body Interaction from the Perspective of East Asian Medicine” examines the complex connection between emotions and bodily responses. The research identified distinct patterns linking emotions to specific organ systems:
- Anger corresponds to the liver.
- Happiness resonates with the heart.
- Sadness encompasses both the heart and lungs.
- Fear connects to the kidneys and heart.
While there is an assortment of human emotions, psychologist Dr. Paul Ekman condensed them to six major, universally recognised emotions, including happiness, anger, sadness, fear, surprise, and disgust. However, in TCM, there are five essential emotions: anger, fear, joy, sadness, and worry.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they believe that when our feelings are out of balance, it can affect our body’s health and even make us sick. They say there’s a close connection between how we feel emotionally and the health of important body parts. Basically, each emotion is connected to a specific organ in our body. This means that if we’re feeling a certain way a lot, it might cause problems in a certain part of our body. And these emotional issues can also show up as physical problems. So, TCM sees emotions and our organs as closely connected, and they can influence each other in good or bad ways.
For instance, experiencing happiness triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine from the *pituitary gland, generating feelings of satisfaction and excitement. Similarly, fear or anxiety prompts the adrenal glands in the kidneys to release cortisol and adrenaline, aiding in the body’s stress response.
Note: *The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, just below the hypothalamus and behind the bridge of the nose. It’s often referred to as the “master gland” because it plays a crucial role in regulating various hormonal functions in the body. The pituitary gland releases hormones that control growth, reproduction, metabolism, stress response, and other important bodily processes.
Both TCM and Western medicine acknowledge that an imbalance within any organ can lead to health issues. The heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine are all directly connected to emotions. Excesses or deficiencies in emotional states may disrupt the organ’s function and contribute to various physical symptoms and conditions.
In conclusion, the alignment between TCM’s understanding of emotions and organ systems and EFT tapping’s acupressure-based approach presents a promising opportunity for holistic well-being. By recognising the connection between emotional experiences and organ function, individuals can harness the potential benefits of both systems to cultivate balance and vitality in their lives.
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In Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping, specific acupressure points on the body are used to help address emotional issues and promote well-being. Here are some general tapping points that correlate with the main organs mentioned in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
| Tapping Point | Related Organ | Tapping for which emotions? |
| Top of Head (TOH) | Overall organ health | Associated with calming the mind and reducing stress. |
| Inner Eyebrow (IE) | Spleen and stomach | Related to anxiety and digestive issues |
| Side of Eye (SE) | Spleen and stomach as well | Targeted for emotional balance and digestive concerns |
| Under Eye (UE) | Small intestine & possibly large intestine | Associated with processing emotions and letting go. |
| Under the Nose (UN) | Linked to the liver | Emotions like anger, used to release frustration |
| Under Mouth (UM) | Also liver | Used to address irritation and frustration |
| Collarbone (CB) | Various organs, including kidneys and lungs | Tapped for general emotional well-being |
| Under the arm (UA) | Linked to Spleen & heart | To address emotional issues and promote a sense of calm |
| Karate Chop (KC) | Tunes in and helps to balance the body’s energy system | To release negative emotions |
