Exploring the Tactile, Sensed Experience of Changing Embodied Emotions in Connection with Receiving Acupuncture: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (ITA)

By Joachim Hauser - Online MSc - Advanced Oriental Medicine

Abstract

Background

Despite embodied emotions being central aspects of our everyday lived lives, no research has previously explored acupuncture and embodiment. This study gets 'under the skin' and investigates how three participants experience changing tactile body-sensations and embodied emotional reactions in connection with receiving acupuncture.

Aims

Exploring the tactile, sensed experience of changing embodied emotions in connection with receiving acupuncture.

Methodology

In this Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) three participants draw and describe their perceived body-sensations connected to their emotions once before and once after an acupuncture treatment on the Embodied Emotion Record (EER). Data from a subsequent semi-structured interview are thematically analysed, and the existential essences of the phenomenon are discussed in relation to Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) theory, concepts and terminology.

Findings

Participants perceive 'negative' pathogen emotion as transverse contractions in their bodies disintegrating and fragmenting longitudinal flow and the experience of being 'one-self'. They perceive acupuncture as 'touching' the contracted bodyemotions like a dynamic pivoting action (Ji), which transforms body-emotional contractions into longitudinal flow of 'It' in pleasant empty space. 'It' for the participants is identical with 'I' and being 'one-self' in the core of the body 'out in all corners and edges'. This study interprets 'It' as identical with longitudinal flow of Jing-Shen in the centre-axis of the body.

Conclusion

The researcher suggests terming the phenomenon under investigations as the 'Topography of Jing-Shen & Embodied Emotions'. This term describes the spatial topographical three-dimensional body-landscape formed by a frontier-line between the core of longitudinal health-promoting flow of Jing-Shen distinctly contrasted by transversely contracting pathogen emotions, which restrict, define and develop Jing-Shen. In future 'Topography of Jing-Shen and Embodied Emotions Tool' can be developed into a self-help tool for individuals exploring embodiment and bodyresources, a diagnostic tool for clinicians, and a validated measurement tool for research-studies in embodiment.