Chinese medicine contends that the body functions on several levels—the spiritual, physical, and emotional. It is important to address each of these parts and unite the mind, body, and spirit to achieve harmony and wellness.
Energy (Qi) flows through the body on channels known as meridians. Emotional or mental problems are attributed to an imbalance or blockage in the internal organs and the meridians that pertain to them. In the case of depression, Chinese medicine believes that liver qi stagnation, spleen qi deficiency, or lung and heart meridian disorders may be at the root of the problem.
Typically, people begin by experiencing an imbalance in one organ or meridian which, left untreated, spreads to involve other organs and meridians. Chinese medical doctors recommend early diagnosis and treatment of such imbalances, and often include the use of acupuncture.