Abstract
Objectives: To investigate validity and effectiveness of Saam five element acupuncture treatment in psychological problems. Methods: We selected a Korean medicine doctor known to apply Saam five element acupuncture treatment to the psychiatry field. An investigator visited the doctor's clinic to observe the cases and interview patients. Duration of each interview was 30 minutes to one hour. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for in-depth interviews. All interviews were recorded and converted into texts. Converted texts were then summarized and analyzed qualitatively. Results and Discussion: Treatment process of Saam five element acupuncture designed for psychiatric use is divided into four stages: qi transformation (氣化), acupuncture treatment, deep breathing, and acupressure. In the first stage, patients are asked to express their feelings and emotions in a physical sense; to imagine their feelings have colors, weight, and physical form, and to describe those characteristics. Next, the doctor evaluates each patient's qi according to the six qi (六氣), and then determines protocol of Saam five element acupuncture treatment. This treatment is focused on suffering of the patient and specific symptoms or emotions. The treatment duration is brief and changes in symptoms are frequently checked during treatment sessions. Without discussing details of stressful events, the doctor enables patients to express physical aspects of their feelings. He also provides them with psychoeducational resources. As a result, patients experienced immediate changes in body sensation, emotions and thinking, decreased response to triggers, and increased self-control after treatment. Conclusions: The Saam five element acupuncture treatment has the potential to be used as a treatment for psychiatric disorders. Treatment can be effective in managing psychiatric disorders when applied by primary Korean medicine clinics.
