8 Extraordinary Vessels: Diagnosis and Treatment of Psycho-emotional Pain

This course will give an overview of the 8 Extraordinary Vessels and their use in the diagnosis and treatment of psycho-emotional disorders. We will discuss how the functions of these vessels relate to psycho-emotional health and how the 8 Extraordinary Vessels respond to evolutionary stress. Understanding the pathways and the points along the trajectories will give practitioners a deeper understanding of how to use these vessels to help their patients adapt to the major changes in life that often cause emotional suffering.

“According to the principle of acupuncture, one must examine the patient carefully first and then treat according to the conditions of his spiritual activities.” (Chap. 8 Ling Shu/Ben Shen)

The relationship between jing (essence) and shen (spirit) is at the very root of psycho-emotional pain. This is the relationship that governs the evolution of consciousness. The 8 Extraordinary Vessels address this relationship in a profound and effective way.

 

Learn how to use the 8 Extras to treat:

Depression and anxiety that are not responding to traditional treatment.

Trauma: birth, intergenerational, abuse (both physical and mental), addiction and more.

Deeply held and counter-productive beliefs (latency created for survival).

Lack of body awareness or insight.

Resistance to change and self-sabotage.

Over-active self-preservation mechanisms: PTSD, hypervigilance.

Lack of self-esteem, self-loathing and discontent.

Any condition physical or emotional that impedes the full expression of source qi.

The 8 Extras and their connection to prenatal resources give us the ability to access, on the patient’s behalf, those deeper aspects of Self to provide the opportunities for consciousness that are essential to relieve suffering. This approach benefits not only the psycho-emotional well-being but also the physical health, easing the suffering caused by stress-induced illness.