What is Five Element Acupuncture?
The many styles of acupuncture
As we discovered in my last blog “Does Acupuncture Hurt?” The meaning behind the word acupuncture is to needle and pierce, which clearly suggests “Acupuncture” is what happens during treatment. So it might be of no surprise to know that there are many differing styles of needling and piercing.
Originating from ancient china over 2000 years ago Chinese Medicine has cultivated various divergent strands. Here are a list of some of the most commonly practiced styles of acupuncture below.
TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine
Meridian therapy - Japan
Eight Constitutions - Korea
Auricular NADA protocol - USA
Five Element Acupuncture - UK
Stems and Branches - China
These stem from the fundamental concept of Yin, Yang and Qi (energy) within Chinese medicine and the attitudes, behaviors and ideas that are specific to the Eastern way of life. The differing theoretical matrices have evolved over the years giving to variations of theory, selections of points and techniques.
Where did five element acupuncture come from?
Five element theory was developed in the late 1960s from the naturopath and physiotherapist J.R. Worsley. Over many years he traveled East with his contemporaries and discovered the teachings of Chinese Medicine and the five element tradition which derives mainly from Japan, and the classical texts of Huangdi Neijing. He started 'The College of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, in Lemington Spa, where he taught his vision of Five Element Classical Acupuncture from 1972 for over twenty years.
What is the theory of the five elements?
“Just as there are wind and rain in Heaven, so there are joy and anger in man” (Ling Shu, Chapter 71; Lu 1972)
Deeply entrenched in Chinese culture, Taoism is the philosophical and religious tradition which is the basis of Chinese Medicine, Feng Shui, martial arts, cosmology, food, colour and music.
The law of five elements brings order to the vast variations in our natural world, including human life. It is ultimately the theory of connection, interactions and the interrelationship of natures elements. Also known as the five phases or five virtues this is not a static idea, they reflect the constant dance of natural law and the universal order underlying all things in our world.
For example the representation of five elements are seen within the seasons, Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Autumn and Winter. There is order within the seasons which are constantly changing by creating and controlling cycles. Nature reflects human life as we are touched by this universal energy.
To live in harmony with Tao or “the way of things” creates balance for optimal health and wellbeing. This theoretical framework makes Five Element Acupuncture incredibly effective at healing mind body and spirit .
What are the five elements?
The five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
The image on the right, shows not only the elements but the relationship of all five. All are composed into a circle also known as the creative cycle.
Here we see the interrelationships of the creative cycle. Logs of Wood that burn creates the Fire, ashes from the Fire creates Earth, Earth hardens creating minerals which are formed into Metal and Metal contains Water, Water then feeds the roots of a tree to produce Wood and so the cycle begins again.
Inside the circle we see a star with arrows, this is known as the control cycle. The interactions are one of influence, seen here as Wood controlling Earth within its roots, Earth controls Water by damming a river, Fire control Metal by melting and shaping, Metal controls Wood by cutting, Water controls Fire by extinguishing.
These relationships and interactions show the constant transformation and change of the five elements. The elements display the cycle of birth (Wood), growth (Fire), maturity (Earth), decline (Autumn) and death (Water) and we experience these cycles within the seasons, the day, the monthly lunar cycle and human life.
How Does Five Elements Acupuncture Work?
“ In order to make all acupuncture thorough and effective one must first cure the spirit” Su Wen, Chapter 25’ Veith 1972
When discussing the Tao, elements and seasons, we are not speaking of their fixed form, we are connecting into the spirit of their meaning. Spring might evoke the image of green leaves bursting forth, sunshine, the abundance of buds from flowers to trees, a sense of energy, get up and go, but to truly know Spring we must live it, really experience it. We might be able to descriptively write or discuss Spring, but it’s Spirit can not be intellectulised.
The Elements are the same. Its the Spirit of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water that are of interest to the practitioner and not the literal material. The qualities of Wood, can be seen by all flora and fauna, it’s the potential of a seed, which has the blueprint and purpose for all it can be, emerging through soil, encouraged by the rain and the strength or the sun. The quality of Wood is expressed by the new beginnings in Spring with budding leaves, the colour green, the smell of cut grass, outward energy and activity as nature pushes forth, springing into action, there is no holding back as obstacles are overcome, following their great design, their plan. We see this resonate in human life, which a trained practitioner discerns with all senses. Each being resonates with all five elements but it is one that usually displays imbalance, this is known as the guardian element, the core of a patient.
How does five element theory work in clinical application?
The elements correspond and harmonise with energies seen in the seasons in nature and resonate with organs of the body. We are able to see how five element theory works successfully with acupuncture. Each Yin and Yang organ are connected to channels and acupuncture points. Below we see the Wood element’s organs are the Liver and Gallbladder, the Eyes are the sense organ, relating to seeing a plan, tendons which act on said plan, the emotion of Anger if blocked with a plan but if Wood energy is in balance we will see assertion, tackling obstacles head on. Below are the corresponding energies that relate to each element.
As a practitioner we spend many years training and experiencing elemental energies, within the seasons in nature, our daily and monthly cycles and our own experiences in life. The observations, listening and empathetic sensitivities are skills which are continually being refreshed and deepened.
How might a practitioner detect which of the five element you are?
The Wood element and it’s energy of spring, below provides a good example of how a practitioner might observe this.
A patient with Wood as their guardian element, is a person that has a plan in life and can see it, following it, ordered and organised, in control and overcoming any obstacles that might get in their way. Theirs is a youthful energy, always looking and moving forward. When this element is imbalanced, we might experience someone without a plan or purpose, unable to see where they are going, frustrated, unorganised, low level anger bubbling and exploding at each hurdle or obstacle that gets in their way. The Wood element when balanced will see the big picture or plan and move forward assertively overcoming anything that might get in their way.
The skilled practitioner observes and then treats the imbalanced element with acupuncture, to allow a patient to see again, plan again, move forward again, be at ease, and once again connected to their knowing of how to be.