Tefillin and Chinese Medicine: Healing for Body and Soul

Dr. Steven Schram is an expert on acupuncture and chiropractic. In 2002, he published an article in the Journal of Chinese Medicine titled: "Tefillin: An Ancient Acupuncture Point Prescription for Achieving Mental Clarity." In it, he demonstrates that the contact points of the tefillin we place on the head and arm exactly match pressure points in the body used to treat physical and emotional health issues.

Tefillin Hit the Right Spots

Schram describes how his research on the connection between tefillin and Chinese medicine began. At the time, he was trying to help patients suffering from depression and anxiety, and he participated in a Chinese acupuncture seminar conducted by a French expert. During one of the lectures, something that caught his attention.

"We were reviewing each of the energy channels that Chinese medicine describes. Above each channel there is an acupuncture point. We progressed in order, from the spine toward the head. When the lecturer pointed to a certain spot, I suddenly noticed that this was exactly where tefillin are placed. My curiosity was piqued, and I decided to investigate further.

"What I discovered is that tefillin appear to activate a unique system of points that stimulate the brain and the soul. For some reason, it seems that tefillin make contact in all the right places."

Positive Energies, Calm, Focus, and Concentration

Here are some examples of the impact of tefillin on the body and soul according to alternative medicine and Dr. Steven Schram's findings:

• The tefillin shel rosh (head tefillin) sits on a pressure point responsible for calming the mind and focusing thoughts on goals and objectives.
• Another nearby point on which the tefillin shel rosh presses is responsible for providing energy to the body.
• The knot at the back of the head on the straps of the tefillin shel rosh presses on a point responsible for improving concentration and memory, and also nourishes positive energies.
• The box of the tefillin shel yad (hand tefillin) presses on a point that helps prevent depression and also assists with memory problems and alleviates asthma.
• The straps of the tefillin shel yad press on points along the forearm and palm that are known to: alleviate mental stress, improve sleep quality, regulate cardiac activity, prevent irrational fears, prevent nausea, enhance immune function, and more.

A Divine Order

Another amazing fact that Schram notes is that even the order of placing the tefillin corresponds to the order of activating certain points for healing in alternative therapy. There are several points in the palm that are activated only after pressing certain points on the head, and indeed the order of placing the tefillin begins with the head, pressing on those points, and only then moves to the hand and presses on those points.

In his article, Schram writes:

"The acknowledged purpose of the tefillin is to raise the spiritual consciousness of the men who wear it. If we examine where the knots and wrappings are placed ... it appears that the tefillin and [straps] form a potent acupuncture point formula focused on ... elevating the spirit and clearing the mind."

The Crown and Cure of Tefillin

In his book, Keys to Life, Rabbi Zamir Cohen notes that according to the Zohar, "A Jew who rises every morning, wraps himself in a tallit, and places upon himself the crown of tefillin, receives spiritual and physical protection, and also connects himself to the higher realms from where he receives the illumination of Hashem the Infinite, blessed be He."