A valuable feature of Chinese medicine is that there exists no split between physical and emotional feelings. The same acupuncture point may be used in one person to address a physical symptom such as pain and in another person to rebuild emotional strength. For example, one of my patients had suffered from recurrent chest infections since the death of their father and I was able to use acupuncture points which both reduced the feelings of grief and loss and also strengthened the lungs. This avoids the Western medical situation where separate medications or referrals are needed for each problem. Another recent example is a woman whose stressful situation at work was associated with increasing anxiety plus severe stomach pains and diarrhoea. I was able to choose acupuncture points that helped her to feel calmer and stronger emotionally and also reduce her stomach symptoms, thus breaking the vicious circle of pain and anxiety. We function as one whole energy system – mind, body and spirit are all connected.