Ghost PointsSun SimiaoPTSDShen DisordersTraumaClassical AcupunctureMental Health
The Shadow Self, Sūn Sīmiǎo's Ghost Points, and PTSD: A Practitioner's Framework
Medically Reviewed by Derek Doran, BHSc (Acupuncture) · AHPRA Registered · AACMA Member · Updated August 2, 2026
August 2, 202612 min readBy Derek Doran
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sun Simiao's Thirteen Ghost Points?
They are thirteen points recorded by the Tang dynasty physician Sun Simiao in the Qian Jin Yao Fang for diān kuáng (withdrawn and manic) presentations. Each carries a guǐ (ghost) name — for example DU 26 Guǐ Gōng, PC 7 Guǐ Xīn and PC 8 Guǐ Kū. In modern practice the perineal point is omitted and practitioners typically use a small selected subset rather than the full sequence.
Can acupuncture treat PTSD?
Acupuncture is best understood as an adjunct, not a first-line treatment. A 2024 JAMA Psychiatry randomised trial reported symptom reduction with verum versus sham needling in combat veterans, and a systematic review found a consistent signal at low-to-moderate certainty. Trauma-focused psychotherapy and psychiatric care remain the primary treatments, and anyone in acute crisis needs urgent medical attention.
How does the Jungian shadow relate to Chinese medicine?
The shadow is a psychological model of disowned material that returns as symptoms, projection or dreams. Chinese medicine describes an overlapping clinical picture as disturbance of the shén and the hún — the spirit and ethereal soul failing to settle. They are different systems, and the overlap is descriptive rather than a shared mechanism, but it can inform how a practitioner reasons about a case.
Are Ghost Points safe to needle for trauma patients?
They can provoke strong emotional release, so they require screening, informed consent, few points, gentle technique, and grounding at the end of each session. Active suicidal ideation, self-harm risk or psychosis must be referred to emergency or psychiatric care. Practitioners should stay within scope and coordinate with the patient's therapist rather than inviting detailed trauma narrative in the treatment room.
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Derek Doran, BHSc (Acupuncture)
AHPRA Registered (CMR0002211465) · AACMA Member
Derek is the founder of MediChi and a registered acupuncturist with clinical expertise in integrating Western diagnoses with Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment protocols.
Clinically reviewed: August 2, 2026
