As human beings we have a very close association with nature and the five elements and the seasons. Thousands of years ago the Five Elements Theory was evolved by the ancient Chinese who had a close affinity with nature. Below you will see a chart showing some of these connections which greatly assist in diagnosing the root qi imbalance that a patient has.

The principal keys to determining the imbalance is in accurately observing the colour, sound and predominant emotion and subtle odour of the patient. In a very simplistic way if the acupuncturist observes a green hue to the face, shouting in the voice, anger in the predominant emotion and a rancid odour, they have an imbalance in their relationship with the Wood Element which may give rise to liver or gall bladder problems. In reality these associations can be very subtle and take experience to pick up accurately.

Five-element Acupuncture Treats The Body, Mind And Spirit

While contemporary acupuncture typically focuses on symptoms, classical five-element acupuncture not only looks beyond symptoms to root causes, but treats the body, mind and spirit in harmony with the laws of nature. Ancient Chinese philosophers identified five laws or elements of nature: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These five elements, present within and around us, must be in balance and flow harmoniously from one to the other in body mind and spirit for optimal health and well-being.

Copyright 2006 Helen Wall

Five-element acupuncture identifies acupuncture points associated with these five elements of nature. Within everybody, one element will go out of balance under stress and affect all the other elements.

Because most diseases start on the spirit level and eventually manifest in physical symptoms, the five-element practitioner treats not only the body, but also the mind and spirit. The practitioner focuses on acupuncture points associated with a specific element while providing the spirit with support, thereby treating the whole person.

Five-element acupuncture names points associated with each element. For example, a patient presented with headaches but underlying his symptom was indecisiveness and frustration about not manifesting his dreams. Wood points like ‘Gate of Hope’ and ‘Yang Mound Spring’ helped the patient regain hope and clarity and his headaches disappeared.

Wood is associated with spring and exuberant growth. It goes with the liver and gall bladder and addresses anger, decision-making, logic, vision and hope. Another patient was feeling isolated and disconnected, unable to give and receive love.

The Fire points ‘Inner Frontier Gate’ and ‘Outer Frontier Gate’ helped her feel and share the warmth within. Fire goes with summer when nature reaches its full expression. Summer also goes with the warmth and joy we experience when connected to life and others. Physically, fire goes with the heart and small intestine and is associated with sexual hormones and regulating body temperature.

A patient complained of constant hunger, stress and lack of support her marriage. Earth points such as ‘Abundant Splendor’ helped her experience the richness of earth within her spirit, and ‘Great Enveloping’ was like a big hug, helping her reconnect with her own internal support. Earth is associated with late summer and the bounty of harvest. A healthy earth element enhances the ability to nourish one’s self and others and to feel at home anywhere. Physically the earth element goes with the stomach and spleen. Mentally, it helps digest information. When this element is nourished, we feel relaxed, grounded, stable, and secure.

A constipated patient could not let go on any level and benefited from ‘Great Eliminator.’ She also could not recognize her own value and needed ‘Heavenly Palace’, in order see the richness within herself. Metal is represented by autumn when the trees lose their leaves. Like trees, one needs to let go of past beliefs, plans, and attachments. Physically metal goes with the lungs, large Intestines and the skin. Metal represents what is valuable and precious, like the divine essence within and around us. Metal restores the ability to see beauty within and without.

Five-element acupuncture also identifies many additional points that can be used locally for pain and specific illnesses. But by treating the whole person, the positive qualities of all five elements will interact. Regular treatments of five-element acupuncture typically result in physical health, mental clarity and feelings of well-being, providing the balance needed for increased health and happiness.

Mantak Chia discusses the Five Elements in this video

By: Marcia Torrey Jay

Copyright 2006 LASpirit.com

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Article author, Margaret Olmsted L.Ac., M.Ac., is an acupuncturist and a member of the laspirit.com community of healers. Margaret works with people of all ages who want to improve their health in Body, Mind and Spirit and lead healthier, happier and more balanced lives. Based in Los Angeles, LASpirit.com offers news and resources to support a holistic lifestyle.

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METAL ELEMENT - Phase 4 Autumn

The Metal Element is like a Quality Controller taking the value of the fruit or karmic return of the thought seeds planted, in the creative process of the earlier phases. What has been the value of the experience? Here the essential seeds of it are extracted to be stored away as resources to draw upon in the future.  Are they high quality seeds that will produce beautiful and healthy thoughts and ideas in another cycle, or are they diseased? 

This is the phase of increasing yin, when I take in the essence of my outer experiences, and in a healthy state, let go of that which is no longer of value to me. It is the time to receive what is valuable to me in the present, while letting go of the past, in order to allow newness in the future to enter. It is like the rhythm of breathing - taking in and letting go. Did plans and decisions of phase1 produce the kind of quality harvest that I wanted? Was the intent to unselfishly bring benefit to others, and myself or was I germinating seeds of selfishness and greed?  I cannot change it now. I have to experience the consequences whether it is of happiness or sorrow. The colour of the Metal Element is white which is  a symbol of purity.

In nature this Element comes in the form of metal ores, precious stones, crystals and minerals within the earth, giving it both richness and structural strength. Many of these have great beauty and are considered valuable. What we set out to do earlier is now reaping its reward, and we can appreciate the value of the experience.

Balanced state
There is respect for virtue in the self and others. There is purity and clarity in thoughts, words and actions. They have integrity - what is in their heart is expressed in their speech. They have an easy nature in attitude and vision. They have the ability to discriminate and judge accurately. There is value for the self and others. There is a rhythm of taking in and letting go of what has passed - absorbing and eliminating.  They do not keep for themselves anything that is unnecessarily.  They have the capability to crystallise everything into its essence.  There is a liking for discipline, method, analysis precision and structure. They have good organisational skills.

Key diagnostic signs of imbalanced state
Colour in face - white
Sound - weeping
Emotion - grief
Odour – rotten
Lungs and large intestine meridians organs

Over-active
There may be greed, envy and jealousy, stoicism and defensive pride.

Under-active
There may be feelings of grief, self-pity, dejection and despondency, hypersensitivity and oppression. With the Metal Element out of balance, there may be the experience of loss of quality in their life, an emptiness they may try to fill by acquiring possessions of value or in quantity to fill a need for self-esteem and respect from others.

They may be spiritual searchers. They want to be valued. They may become self-righteous, strict and autocratic, formal withdrawn and distant. They can experience excessive grief, sorrow and anguish coming from a sense of loss. They may be perfectionists and either obsessively clean or not caring about themselves or their environment depending on their level of self-respect.

There may be problems connected with the lungs (asthma, shallow breathing, etc.) and bowel problems including constipation coming from a difficulty in being able to ‘ let go’. This Element is also connected with our defence system against invading pathogens. There may be skin problems, as the skin is our barrier against infections and also the interface between us and the rest of the world.

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EARTH ELEMENT - Phase 3 Late Summer

This is the element of balance and transformation between the exuberant expression of the yang creative process and the quieter yin energy of receptivity and nurturing. There is transformation from an upward and outward direction to a downward and inward one. Creativity has now reached a stage of maturity (mater = mother) bearing the fruits of the purpose initiated earlier by the Wood Element. There is success, and the experience of both satisfaction and happiness as a result. This is Mother Earth full and bountiful, able to serve and nurture tirelessly because she has so much to give. She is like a trustee of the public granaries.

It is the balance point between giving and receiving, where you can see from where you have come and where you are going. We come to know the fruits of our actions. The Earth Element symbolises a sense of well - being, stability and security through abundance. The earth is also the foundation of all the other elements, and the medium through which seeds are provided with nutrition and support of them to transform into mature, fruit-bearing plants. The colour of this element is yellow like ripened corn.

Balanced state
There is empathy and mercy for the needs of others. They are involved and at the same time detached. They live within their own parameters. Through their innate power of concentration, they are able to nurture the seeds of positive thoughts until they bear fruit and then let go. This harvest brings fulfilment, happiness and contentment. They have the ability to facilitate communication between their inner and outer worlds. They are grounded, open and receptive. They remain stable amidst change.

Key diagnostic signs of imbalanced state
Colour in face - yellow
Sound - singing
Emotion - sympathy
Odour - fragrant
Stomach and spleen / pancreas meridians/organs

Over-active
There may be an over-protective mothering, clinginess, pity and over-concern for others (trying to put right everyone’s problems). There can be over-thinking, worry, brooding and obsessive thoughts (mental indigestion). They can lose their self-identity through over identifying with the needs of others.

Under-active
There may be difficulty in giving and receiving, indifference, forgetfulness and lack of concentration. They seek a lot of sympathy from others and feel they are martyrs (“poor me”).

With an Earth imbalance, there are often problems around nourishment and digestion on all levels, sugar craving, weight problems and low energy. When the Earth is in a balanced state it is stable and secure, but when out of balance, there may be problems with, feeling ungrounded uncentred, disconnected and insecure.

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FIRE ELEMENT - Phase 2 Summer

Fire is an expression of full yang energy that seeks to move in an upward direction and is concerned with the capacity to grow and manifest its highest potential. Once the purpose has been initiated through the dynamic vitality of the Wood Element, the quality of the energy changes to that of love and care for the development of the fresh new purpose. Fire is the sun giving light and warmth, essential for the growth and photosynthesis of plants. They reach for the light, as without it, they would fade and die.

In a balanced state, fire burns brightly, but never out of control nor choked by ashes due to neglect. In the presence of this energy, plants open and blossom, filling the air with perfume. They are being fully themselves. In the same way, love of the right kind is essential for the human spirit to thrive. Given unconditional love, it flourishes and expresses with joy, its purest qualities. This is the Element of full yang - the glory of the creative process. Its colour is red, it is bright, warm and alive.

Balanced state
This is the seat of the Conscience, therefore always in spiritual self-awareness, stable, centred and powerful. They live constantly on the basis of knowing all natural and spiritual laws (the Tao). They know Truth. They always listen to their inner wisdom, which brings clarity. There is pure joy, unconditional love and acceptance, understanding. They are open, neutral and just. There is self-respect and respect for all others.

Key diagnostic signs of imbalanced state
Colour in face - red or lack of red (like ash)
Sound - laughing
Emotion - inappropriate joy or a lack of joy
Odour - scorched
Heart and Small Intestines, Heart Protector and Triple Heater meridians / organs

Over-active
There may be nervous excitement, restless gaiety, giggling, frenzied anxiety, over-elation or hysteria. There may be inappropriate laughing, and rapid speech, emotional insecurity and absent-mindedness, nervous exhaustion, insomnia or palpitations.

Under-active
There is sadness (the sad clown), easy discouragement, self-doubt, self-despair, lack of
self-confidence, depression, hopelessness or emptiness.

With the Fire out of balance, there are often circulatory and temperature control problems. There may be difficulties involving relationships, giving and receiving love and fear of being rejected or emotionally hurt.

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WOOD ELEMENT - Phase 1 Spring

Wood symbolises the process of the potential hidden within the seed seeking to manifest itself in the light of day. It stands for what is living and moving in the direction of fulfilling its purpose of self-actualisation. It has the dynamic energy of youth and of rising yang, being able to initiate new beginnings, the capacity to clearly see what must be done and the method to be used to achieve this. Just as a living tree is as deeply rooted in the ground as it is tall, giving it strength and stability, so this element manifests the strengths of leadership, determination and energetic pursuit of its chosen purpose. It is like a military strategist, planning a campaign to glorify his ruler.

Nevertheless, just as a tree will bend in the wind and grow around obstacles, rather than forcing its way through, so there is the quality of flexibility, tolerance and humility in the harmonious functioning of this element. A tree will accept the habitat in which it finds itself and will adapt accordingly, so that it can continue to serve its purpose. A young shoot is delicate but also has amazing vigour and quiet persistence, that it can even push its way through tarmac or concrete, in order to manifest itself.

Each tree is following its own growth pattern, while at the same time, in a forest of trees, it is involved in the collective service that all the other trees are fulfilling. The tree stands both alone and together. In the same way, we are fulfilling our own purpose but also we are a part of a greater whole. With the capacities of judgement, discrimination, planning and decision-making, we are able to move successfully in the right direction towards the fulfilment of our aims. The quality of young wood is gentle, peaceful, flexible and yet purposeful. The colour of this element is like the fresh green of new foliage.

Balanced state

Resilient, rational, independent, strong self-identity and self-belief, well-motivated, confident, with clarity of vision and direction. They are good leaders and initiators of new projects. They have good planning and decision-making abilities.

Key diagnostic signs of imbalanced state
Colour in face - green
Sound - shouting
Emotion - anger
Odour - rancid
Liver and Gall Bladder meridians / organs

Over-active
There may be arrogance, irritability and intolerance, competition, resentment, frustration, anger, over-controlling. The person may be workaholic, or tyrannical. Explosive expression or a bottling-up of emotions. Over-active planning intellect, mood swings, or burn-out.

Under-active
There may be lack of motivation and making excuses, lack of confidence, difficulty in planning or decision-making, self-blame, guilt or depression.

Where this Element is out of balance, there may be problems with over-stretched or flaccid tendons and ligaments causing many back problems and sciatica - type pains. As we need vision to plan ahead for the future, it is the eyes that are particularly associated with the Wood Element.

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And Quiz Time Folks! Want to Discover Which Element You Are?

Fill in the questions further down this page and find out!

I have never really comprehended why the term "five elements theory" is still used. As you will see below, we have a beautiful and very real relationship with the Five Elements when we know how to live in harmony with them, but we do pay a price if we don’t.  Certainly no mere theory - I see it working everyday with patients!

My Relationship With The Five Elements               

The signs and symptoms are many and varied because we don’t just experience disharmony through the functioning of one Element at a time. If one Element is stressed on any level, spiritually, mentally, emotionally or physically, it will also affect the others, as the part affects the whole. How much other Elements are affected depends on the degree and nature of the imbalance and the period of time it has been present.

The seed of harmony and health lies in the knowledge and belief in the authentic self as a spiritual being who is innately peaceful, loving, benevolent, happy and wise. The seed of all states of imbalance and disease are caused by identifying with the body, its roles and relationships rather than with the spiritual beings that we are.

In diagnosis, there are key indicators that will point to the root Element that has become our main weakness, but which emerged out of our speciality. (A vice is just a virtue we have distorted through false identity.) These indicators are the predominant, but subtle colour in the face, the sound of the voice, inappropriate emotion and odour. Other means of diagnosing, such as asking the patient about their symptoms, palpation, feeling the pulse etc. are secondary and misleading.

If you would like to have fun and discover which Element type you may be, then fill in the questionnaire Which Five Elements Type am I? and the Scorecard below. Read through the descriptions of the Five Elements and see which one fits you the best. In reality we are all the Elements and so you may find you can identify with more than one.

Here is the the questionnaire. It is best to print it off so it is easy to input your scores with a pen.

WHICH FIVE ELEMENTS TYPE AM I?

Am I Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water? In reality we are a combination of all of them. This questionnaire is designed to help you identity or at least, narrow down the choice.

Using the scoring below, put a number adjacent to each question before looking at the scorecard, then fill it in at the end and add up the total in the columns. This will indicate which Element you probably are. Read about the Elements in the apprpropriate posts in the Five Elements category and see which one fits you.

It’s more fun if you read about them AFTER you have filled in the questionnaire!

Scoring System

Strongly agree                    3

Just agree                           2

Agree only a small amount   1

Do not agree at all               0

Example: If you agree with Question Number 1 write 3 in the space provided. Answer all the other questions and write a score 0 - 3. Have fun!

QUESTIONAIRE
   1.  I can get dizzy or light-headed when standing up.
   2.  I am often anxious and restless.
   3.  I often have loose bowels.
   4.  I am easily disappointed or offended, but rarely show it.
   5.  People think I am intuitive, but I think ahead and working things out.   
   6.  When someone is being treated unfairly, I am often stand up for the under-dog.
   7.  I laugh or giggle a lot.
   8.  At times, I have difficulty in taking information in.
   9.  As soon as things do not work out, I think it is better to cut your losses
            and move on.
10. In a crisis, compared to others I am cool and can take charge.
11. Correctness and fairness are important, but difficult to achieve in practice.
12. I can be hurt by one simple comment and nevertheless hide my feelings.
13. I enjoy helping others and being useful to them.
14. I hate losing even small things.
15. I have weak or sore knees.
16. I often get really wound up and frustrated over issues.
17. Being happy is not the only thing in life, but it is close to the top of my list.
18. I feel worse with damp or humid weather.
19. I think, and others confirm this, that I am not emotionally expressive.
20. I sometimes get puffiness and dark bags under my eyes.
21. I prefer not to be supervised or overseen by others.
22. I look forward to socializing with or working with people.
23. I often feel tired and heavy.
24. I think a lot my good qualities are not appreciated or recognized.
25. Having sex makes me tired/weak afterwards.
26. I often feel like rebelling or challenging authority or conventional wisdom.
27. I think that I am over excitable.
28. I will often worry about things, even when I cannot do anything practical
           about them.
29. I easily catch colds.
30. All I have to do is think about certain situations to make me feel concerned
           or even frightened.
31. I get blurred vision or tired eyes.
32. If my close relationships are not stable, I am not stable.
33. I am frequently worried and concerned about something.
34. My voice is a bit weak.
35. No one can reassure me – I need to reassure myself.
36. I enjoy organizing and structuring any situation.
37. I can easily doubt that someone loves me or cares for me.
38. I have some problems in balancing others and my own needs.
39. I appreciate it if I can do more and better than others.
40. I often need to assess a situation and check out whether I am safe.
41. On issues to do with who is responsible for what, I either have very specific
            views or I am completely easy.
42. A hurtful look or comment can leave me feeling very sad.
43. I sometimes do not digest well.
44. I frequently cough, with or without phlegm.
45. I am easily frightened, have phobias or get paranoid.
46. I have difficulty digesting fatty foods or a poor tolerance or alcohol.
47. I can go up and down a lot, loving things at one moment and feeling miserable
            the next.
48. I have an eating disorder or some irregularity of appetite.
49. I tend to set high standards for myself – and others.
50. I think people often tell you ‘everything will be fine’ and it won’t.
51. It is better for me to be in control and have the power in any situation
            rather than be cooperating with and depending upon others.
52. I love safe heart-felt contact with others.
53. My abdomen bloats after eating.
54. I always notice that when people start talking about getting the best quality this
            and the best quality that.
55. I am good at looking ahead and anticipating what might go wrong.
56. I can get frustrated and wound up.
57. I often get tongue-tied or mix up my words.
58. I can be hungry, even after eating.
59. Finding your spiritual path is twenty times as important as just a good time.
60. I tend to believe the world is a dangerous place and one needs to be careful.
61. I get muscle tightness or tension.
62. One of the best things in life is contact with other people.
63. I sometimes feel muzzy headed or can’t think well.
64. Whatever I do. I prefer to do it as well as and preferably a lot better than others.
65. It takes me a while to really trust someone.
66. It makes me angry to see others being treated unjustly or unfairly.
67. Closeness with people is important to me.
68. I will sometimes worry about getting my needs met.
69. I easily get short of breath.
70. I urinate frequently and sometimes with urgency.
71. My nails are weak or split.
72. I could be anxious and insecure about going to a party that I wanted to go to,
            but where there would be a lot of people I don’t know – and I might not go.
73. Food and cooking are very important to me.
74. My breathing is shallow and sometimes weak.
75. People need to prove to me that they are trustworthy – I don’t just believe it.

Now fill in the Scorecard to discover which Element you probably are. For example, if you put 3 as your score for Question 1 in the above questionnaire, then place 3 in the space next to Q.No.1. If you put 0 as your score for Question 2, then place this in 0 in the space next to Q.No.2. Carry on putting in your scores, then add up each column at the bottom. The one with the highest total score is probably your element. Then click below on that particular element to read about it.

Discover the characteristics of each element by clicking the links below:

Wood

Fire

Earth

Metal

Water

It’s all just a bit of fun! See if you guessed right when you come for some acupuncture treatment.

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WATER ELEMENT - Phase 5  Winter

By its nature, Water flows to the lowest place and takes on the shape of its container. It is therefore the most yin and introverted phase of the cycle. It is essential to life. The human body is composed of more than 75% water. In a plant, water keeps the stem upright and leaves swollen. Without it, it would wither and die. Water has the capacity to be refreshing and sparkling, but also can dissolve and retain that which is dirty and toxic, so becoming murky or poisonous. Water can be a gentle drop of rain, or a fathomless and powerful ocean. It can be benign, or very dangerous. It can give life and take life.

Psychologically, it is associated with our feelings, derived from past experiences stored away in the depths of the subconscious. Water is also synonymous with Chi, and many of the acupuncture points on the meridians of energy of the body, refer to oceans, seas, rivers, streams, ponds and wells. It is here, that the harvested seeds of our experiences are stored. This phase of the karmic cycle is one of rest and completion. Within it, is contained the power upon which to draw for the future germination of thought seeds. The colour is blue / black reminding us of what is deeply hidden away from the light.

Balanced state
There is trust, resolution, determination and willpower. There is the experience of being introspective,
self-contained and self- sufficient. They have the ability to mould, adjust and adapt easily. They are both
courageous and fearless as well as creative and entertaining.

Key diagnostic signs of imbalanced state
Colour in face - Blue / black
Sound - groaning
Emotion - fear
Odour - putrid
Bladder and Kidneys meridians/organs

Over-active
There is suspicion, paranoia, the ego of superiority, foolhardiness, low self-preservation and mistrust.

Under-active
There is fearfulness, timidity, the ego of inferiority, feelings of inadequacy, panic and phobias.

In an imbalanced state, there can be a lack of fluidity and flow on any level, mentally, emotionally or physically. They may be over-influenced by the emotions of past experiences, either swept along or paralysed by them. Water is synonymous with energy also; the bladder and kidney meridians are the source of stored energy in us. Physically, our prenatal essence (Jing) inherited from our physical parents is stored here.

If either parent has a weak constitution then the child is likely to inherit this. If their Jing is strong, the child has a strong constitution and good powers of recuperation should they fall ill. As Jing is the foundation for our lives, in the same way skeletal bones are the foundation for our physical bodies. Many bone diseases, deterioration of teeth and back problems involve the Water Element. The human body is 78% water, and it is vital for our existence.

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