Negative stressful life experiences and negative affective or emotional states can cause or exacerbate many disorders; this has long been part of common wisdom and recent advances in science have begun to elucidate some of the mechanisms involved. Acupuncture, whether traditionally applied with needles or with newly developed techniques such as laser acupuncture has been shown to possess a regulatory effect on neuroendocrine response. When used in conjunction with music, art therapy and counselling it is a powerful tool to aid in the resolution of emotionally based problems.

     Stress is a natural part of life, and short episodes of even acute stress can enhance immune function but when stress becomes unremitting or chronic the neuroendocrine system can become dysregulated leading immune mediated disorders. Traumatic events effect the neuroendocrine system in a way that strengthens the memory of traumatic event at the expense of other neutral or more positive memories and may lead to chronic negative emotional states. This shows that the emotions have a powerful impact on the functioning of the brain, and also shows the importance of finding effective means addressing the problem of emotional distress. 
   
     New technologies such as MRI give as some idea of what is going on in the brain and we have learnt that the brain is more flexible, resilient and capable of adaptive plasticity than we had previously thought. This is another reminder that the human body and mind has amazing recuperative and self-healing abilities.  Sound therapy and counselling, when used in conjunction with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are valuable tools in the TCM practitioners hands as they foster innate healing abilities.