Shen in Acupuncture for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is one of the major complaints from patients seen in all acupuncture clinics. The most common principle to treat pain with acupuncture is to activate channels to relieve pain; however, little attention has been paid to treating the patient's shen when treating their pain. This article is an introduction to the incorporation of the treatment of shen when treating chronic pain with acupuncture. The discussion of the shen and its treatments in this article are based on the review and study of the theories and principles in the ancient classics of traditional Chinese medicine. Shen is the interaction between yin and yang. Shen is the governor of life; it controls all physical and mental activities. Shen enables us to feel pain. The disorders of shen in pain sufferers can negatively affect how they feel or recognize pain, how they response to pain and how they report their pain level. We should pay more attention to the treatment of patient's shen during the entire treatment course of chronic pain. Guarding shen is the key to acupuncture efficacy; the essential principles are harmonizing yin and yang by needling techniques and regulating hun and po at the needling sites.