When I first began acupuncture school, I was in San Diego at a traditional acupuncture college. At this time, I had only experienced acupuncture the way it is normally practiced in the US. That is, the needles are inserted and the acupuncturist leaves me for an hour or so. Obviously, I had found this to be a very powerful experience that merited going to school for it. I found it fascinating, and still do, how each point can create so many changes across the body and mind. It became clear to me quickly that this medicine is real, and based on very real and tangible understandings of human physiology.
It wasn’t until my life got shook up, to the point where I found myself touring another school all way on the the other side of the country, that I discovered just how deep this medicine could go. The 5 elements are most commonly seen in a chart like the following:
This chart shows the relationships of all the elements. There are two cycles. The first is the creation cycle, which goes in a circle. In this cycle, water creates wood-wood creates fire-fire creates earth- earth creates metal-and metal create water. We can tell right away how this model is based on nature itself, and not some concept of Chinese medicine. It is objectively true that water is what makes plants grow, and wood makes fire. This direct correlation is the basis for all 5 element theory. It is less a theory and more a map, and this map goes far beyond the functions of nature and into our emotions, rhythms, lifetimes, colors, sounds, smells and way of relating to each other and ourselves.
The other cycle is the controlling (Ke) cycle. The Ke cycle is about keeping the elements in check. For instance the wood element would grow endlessly if it wasn’t controlled by the metal element. I like to think of this as like tree pruning. Without pruning, there would be endless woody growth, and no fruit. The controlling cycle is less about control, and more about keeping balance so that every element can thrive.
5 element acupuncture is a distinct practice of acupuncture where the elements are not just a tool for treatment, but rather encompass the entire treatment-from diagnosis, to vocabulary, to points selected.
The elements dictate the whole vibe of the treatment and how we relate to each other as patient and practitioner.
The main basis for this treatment, is that we discover your constitutional element. Your element is known as your CF (constitutional factor). The CF is the element that became imbalanced in childhood, that now forms the grounding for your life. It is paradoxical that the element most out of balance is also the one that you most resonate with, However, it is by engaging with that element, by working with it, by supporting it that all the other elements in the cycle can return to balance and harmony.
Your element is like your unique calling. If we can empower and engage our element, then it is like taking the handcuffs off. The world opens up, our bodies and emotions begin to work together, and we are able to voice and live our truth. To empower our element is to enable us to stand in our own power and wisdom.
It is distinct for each of the elements, and each person is a different “flavor” of their element. No one person is exactly the same in how they present with their element.
In general, a fire CF will work with themes of vulnerability, interpersonal hurt, seeking joy, feeling empty, looking for a spark.
An earth CF will have themes in their treatment of people pleasing, giving more than they receive, looking for sympathy and comfort, missing community, not feeling “whole”.
A metal CF can have themes of loss, of needing to break the mold of their life, of wanting to see the immense beauty of the world again, difficulties with grief.
A water CF can have themes of feeling unsettled, feeling small, not taking up space, searching for depth in their lives, searching for wisdom and answers, needing help with their will power.
A wood CF will deal with themes of hopelessness, searching for a path forward, helping them refine their vision and dreams, frustration and anger over all the obstacles in their path.
Your element is assessed using sophisticated tools to objectively see where you live in health. We look for color, sound, odor and emotion. When we have at least 3 of those together in one element, we can proceed with that element. For some people its quite obvious what their element is. For many, it is more mixed. There are masks in the way, and the other elements are showing up first. The best way to suss out the true element, is to treat on the hypothesis element and see how you do. It is always a beneficial experience, even if its not your true element. Treating you on another element will often help to boost that element, relieve many symptoms and make you feel great. However it wont be quite what we are looking for. Occasionally we need to switch to another element. It is rare for this second one not to be correct.
Once you are treated on your element, we begin to deepen and widen the treatments. The treatments become more profound and specific to you and your needs on all levels.
The primary differences are as follows:
I treat one person at a time. When you are in my office, you are the only one I am thinking about as far as treatment goes. This is also a practical necessity because of the other ways 5 element acupuncture differs.
Typically we use about 4-6 points. I treat them on both sides to the body usually. The main difference here, is that first I use Moxa on each point. The moxa is the wool from the mugwort plant. I burn little cones directly on the point. This brings great intention, warmth, and depth to the point. I like to think of it as burning a tiny little fire on each point, multiple times, to bring the smoke and clarity that comes with it. It is a beautiful and enriching process and gives beautiful intention to each point.
Moxibustion, known as Moxa, is the practice of burning the mugwort plant wool on or around the points and meridians.
The Chinese character for “acupuncture” 针灸 (zhēn jiǔ) contains two characters. “Zhen” means “to prick with a needle. “Jiu” means “moxibustion”. From this we can see that acupuncture, as a practice, was always meant to include Moxa. Moxa is the Yin counterpart to the yang of the needles. Nowadays, all acupuncturists probably have some form of Mona in their practice. However, it it seldom used in most modern practice. In 5 element acupuncture, we use moxa to the same extent we use needles. Moxa nourishes deeply, promoting Yin energy, bringing grounding and lasting healing to a treatment. When only needles are used, the treatment can be less effective, less deep and less energizing..
Another difference with 5 element acupuncture is in our ‘diagnosis”. While we listen thoroughly to all physical and mental symptoms, we do not make these issues the primary focus of the point selection. That may sound like we don’t address your symptoms. However, the way 5 element acupuncture works is to nip the symptoms in the bud, to support you in your health so that symptoms don’t return. It is a far reaching and more effective way of dealing with symptoms.
In 5 element acupuncture our diagnosis revolves around the element of your constitution. When we support your constitutional element, all the other elements come into balance automatically. There is a lot of depth of understanding around this way of treatment. It is not just guess-work, and it is not magic )even though it feels like it at times). Instead, the science and art of 5 element acupuncture is highly attuned to you as a person. We spend a lot of time finding what you really need support with. What is the origin of these troubles? What do you look like in your greatest health, and how do we make that a reality again?
Knowing and being treated on your element provides you the empowerment to be yourself in all situations. When we first start, this may feel incredible, but limited. As you continue to be attuned to your element, you regain the muscle memory and habits that align you with that element, and thus yourself.
For instance, If you are a water element, who has for many years been in a cycle of fear, it is because you haven’t been given the empowerment to transform that fear into courage. By picking acupuncture points that attune and support your water element—the innate wisdom of water becomes activated. When we activate your element, you thrive in the multitudes of power and wisdom that element contains. Water is an element of fear, when its out of balance. When in balance, water is courage, wisdom, intensity, drive, willpower and the ability to tap your deepest reserves. Water is 2 dimensional when it is ignored and repressed. When water is accepted and empowered, it becomes a powerful and concrete force in your life. It doesn’t exist externally, the elements exist within and of each of us. We can harness them just as we can harness our breath, our muscles, our voice.
The same way that organic farming works. If there is a deficiency of one element—sunlight (fire), water, nutrients (metal), earth (soil), wood (growth), then the entire operation is out of balance. Your element is the one that is out of balance, and thus it is the one that, if supported, would fix the entire farm!
5 element acupuncture works on the practical level. The methods and results are concrete and life changing. First you receive a diagnosis of your element, followed by my highly customized acupuncture treatments.
Treatments begin with diagnosis. After I have a sense of where to begin, I design a treatment that works for your element, and in a way that goes directly to your needs. If you are coming in for muscle pain, then we will treat the muscle pain on your elemental meridians.
To clarify, each element as 2-4 meridians of its own. Fire has the heart, small intestine, fascia and heart protector. Metal has the lungs and large intestine. Wood has the liver and gall bladder. Earth has the stomach and spleen. And Water has the kidney and bladder.
These organ systems and meridians have a multitude of points, each with different functions, and each with a spirit. The points are highly versatile, working on helping you remember your spirit, ease your mind, or heal your body. These points, more often than not, do all of these at once. The mind, body and spirit are all one. So if we focus on helping your tight muscles, we may also help with emotional flexibility. The side effects here happen to be profound and life changing in a positive way.
This is the question we always ask. What does the patient look like in their full expression of health. Often, a patient comes not feeling their best. They are in pain, or feeling “off” in various ways. 5 element acupuncture is the art of seeing the patient for who they are in their full expression of health. The elements themselves provide a powerful and versatile language to achieve this goal. Once we have a sense of who someone is, we tailor point that support them.
If we were to choose points that alluded to the symptoms only, then we run the risk of keeping them in a feedback loop of pain and relief. Although it is vitally important to resolve symptoms, and we do, chasing them can often lead to perpetuating them rather than resolving them. On the other side, if we focus on supporting health, then there is a cascading effect where symptoms disappear, often for good.
The wood element is the element of spring, growth, creativity, anger, assertion, flexibility, green, sour foods, the liver and gallbladder, vision, dreams and breaking down obstacles.
Given these attributes, the issues that a Wood constitution may encounter are: tight and inflexible muscles, chronic frustration, lack of hope, digestive issues related to liver, chronic anger, addiction and alcoholism in particular, feeling stuck, lack of emotional flexibility, restless sleep and more.
When a wood constitution comes in to the office, they may present with these symptoms. As a 5 element acupuncturist, I recognize that the flip side of these symptoms is actually rooted in positive traits. For example, the chronic anger and frustration. Anger is a response to obstacles that keep getting in your way. Underlying that, however, is a clear vision of how you want things to go. There is a creativity and hope for the future there. There are dreams.
A wood CF will struggle with frustration only because they first have hope and vision. IF they had no vision or dreams, then there would be nothing to be frustrated about.
What may be hindering the wood CF, is less the obstacles and more that their specific powers are not healthy and activated. For example, their flexibility and vision may be lacking.
As a 5 element acupuncturist, I choose points that support the flexibility (think bamboo bending), so that the patent can see beyond their stubborn way of doing things, and find new and creative solutions to go beyond the obstacles. All of this power is rooted in the wood element. If we remind the body, mind and spirit to see beyond the obstacle, not get caught up on it, then the smooth flow of creativity and growth can continue in another way. It is like a tree. When a tree hits an obstacle, it grows around it. The tree does not become angry and lost. The tree will adapt and become flexible to the circumstances.
You may ask, how does this work if I have muscle tightness? It works in the same way. A lack of flexibility can also translate to the body. Sometimes, it is just the body. Still, for a wood CF, we work o points that loosen the body so that it can find new and creative ways of moving, so that it can flow and not become tight and stubborn.
Fire is the element of summer, expressiveness, love, joy, vulnerability, connection, dancing, the heart and pericardium, socializing, rising and falling, lack of joy, circulation, intimacy.
Because of these positive traits, a Fire constitution will often come in with symptoms off: depression, heartbreak, circulation issues, loneliness, lost spark, mania, loss of connection and intimacy issues.
A fire element in health will have a healthy rise and fall of joy. The joy and elation will show up as a red color on the face, and it will come and go. Just as a fire blazes and then goes out, a fire CF experiences both elation and emptiness. It is natural for a fire CF to have joy and also lack of joy.
Often a fire CF will struggle in life with feeling the need to always be in Joy and rising fire. The fire CF will feel guilt when they don’t feel like connecting or socializing. The truth is, a fire CF needs adequate time to rest in the empty glow of being. A fire CF cannot rise up and connect, authentically, without having the space to rest.
A fire Cf, in the same way, can have symptoms that are physical like circulation issues, complexion issues, speech problems and more. The Fire element shows up in the tongue, so speech that is slurred is often a symptom of the heart and fire-as is when we don’t voice our truth.
When we work with fire, these physical and emotional symptoms often go hand in hand, and they resolve hand in hand as well.
Instead of chasing these symptoms, we instead support the virtues of fire. Fire has the virtue of propriety. This virtue means fire is very socially aware, can take the temperature of a room in a second, and can also connect with others on this intimate level that is exactly what that person needs. Fire people are emotionally intelligent, meaning they feel from their heart and know.
Earth is the element of late summer, of seasonal transitions (between all seasons), of the color yellow, of sympathy, of community, of thinking, of consideration, of comfort, of singing, and a fragrant odor, fullness, nourishment, contentment, completion.
Because of these virtues, an earth element will come for treatment with symptoms of: people pleasing, fatigue, heaviness, appetite loss, eating disorders, discontent, muscle loss, muscle fatigue, edema, adhd, difficulty staying asleep, craving community, insatiable need for things, uncaring for others, caring too much for others, difficulty adjusting to change.
An earth element in health will be able to sustain thinking and intention just as well as they sustain the physical movement of muscles. The mind is a muscle and both are part of the earth element. All movement forward, like peristalsis, is a function of earth. Earth is the stomach and spleen organs, and thus it is the primary element for all digestion. Here, digestion also refers to the processing and transformation of information and essence. If we take in a lot of information, but are unable to process it into meaning, then there is a dysfunction in earth.
In health, earth will be full, will take as much as they give and vice versa. In health earth will seek balance but be comfortable with the imbalance and pivot that comes with changes.
In health, earth seeks community, comfort and integrity. The collective is very important to earth, because nothing is truly balanced until the whole community is taken care of. Earth cares deeply, because their thinking is so thorough and with so much integrity, that for their to be inequity is an insult to the mind.
If earth were to be a character, I’d say it is Pooh Bear. Pooh is friends with everyone at once. He makes sure everyone is taken care of, but first he takes care of himself and makes himself comfortable and fed. Earth types love sweet foods like honey. The earth CF is prone to circular thinking. Earth types need to be reassured until they really believe. The integrity aspect of earth means that there is no faking it. It has to be true and whole, or else it is not earth.
I’m going to break the mold here on the metal element. The metal element is the element of grief and loss, of autumn and endings. Metal is also the element of beauty and ego-lessness. Metal knows that the universe is not about them, that it is too beautiful to own or understand with our small minds. The metal lives in awe, which is why they are revolutionaries who despise the confines of society. If you try to put a metal in a box, they will revolt and keep you away. Metal has nothing to do with the little needs and wants of comfort, because they are too enchanted by the incredible beauty of reality.
Reality also means the dark side, the mud, the dirtiness of life. Metal does not discriminate between a clot of soil and a diamond. Metal knows that one could not happen without the other. It is an insult to life itself to try and keep things contained with our limited understanding. Instead, metal seeks true art, connection in the form of dirtiness and deep appreciation. Metal can sit and worship the very essence of being. It may seem like metal types don’t connect with reality-when in fact their understanding of reality is without a barrier, it is truth itself.
The organs of metal are the large intestine and the lung. The lung is the refined essence of being. The large intestine is quite the seeming opposite, where it deals with the day to day dirt or being a physical body. The spirit of metal, is the Po. The Po is the physical form of the body that dies into the earth when we do. Because of this impermanence, metal is always aware of the sacred nature of seemingly gross things. Metal sees the sacredness of the human body, and its experiences of pleasure and pain, and knows that it is just as sacred as dreams and heavenly realms.
Metal often struggles with being misunderstood, and thus losing their sense of self. People often try to put metal into different forms that suit their needs. One person will see them as a genius fairy person, the next person will see them as an asshole idiot. It just depends on what the reflection sees. Just like metal itself, metal people can be bent into various shapes and causes. This is a great power, it shows just how malleable reality is. However, it can lead to dysmorphia and misunderstanding.
Metal also deals with issues of overwhelming grief. Metal types can be stuck in the “letting go” of life. Making it hard for them to hold what is naturally meant to be held. Metal can also struggle with letting go, and holds on too tight.
In a metal treatment we focus on supporting their clarity and self worth. We use points that help the person to simply be in their body, safe in their beautiful skin. This way, nothing can penetrate the energetic immunity needed for a metal. Metal exists in the skin and the breath, so when their are skin breakouts—or someone who translates stress into skin issues—this is often an issue of metal.
Water is the element of winter, rest, deep wisdom, intensity, drama, kidneys and bladder, blue/black, willpower, nervous system, fear, vigilance, resources, preparedness, waiting, stillness, movement, marrow, bones, the seed, overwhelm.
Water types will often come in with restlessness, anxiety, difficulty settling, fear of the future and not having enough, lack of willpower and drive, sexual dysfunction, menstrual dysfunction, desire for more from life, nervous system disorders and PTSD.
In health, a water element is able to become big in their dramatic and intense way, and then recede. Water ebbs and flows. A water person will be very vigilant and aware of their resources, what could go wrong, what they need “just in case” etc. However, in health this will not be all consuming and will be a natural flowing process. A healthy water CF will have sacred willpower, they will not worry about destination or how they look, water will simply move. A water CF walks the walk and talks the talk. They do not posture, plan or project. A water CF simply starts moving and the willpower and drive takes them wherever it is right to go. There is an underlying trust and faith to water that may seem blind, when in fact it has eyes everywhere.
If you are someone who feels like they can see all things at once, be aware of all possibilities at one time, and prepare for them, then water may be your element.
Often water elements were told they were “too much”, especially growing up. This leads many water types to become small, to now show their powers of intensity and transformation. The truth is, water is a very powerful force that can rise up and destroy everything around. It is natural for water to do this. That is why, drama for a water CF is not a problem, it is a necessity for them and for everything and everyone around. Without water, we would all dry up and nothing would change. Without water, stagnation would fester.
With water, we work to help them establish their own depth. From this place of depth, a water element can access their own innate wisdom and underlying power. When a water element is out of focus, they can feel small, insignificant and helpless. The truth of water is that all we need is always able to be accessed. Water is the element of willpower. Willpower is called the “Zhi” which is the spirit of water in Chinese medicine. The zhi is the innate knowing that keeps us firmly on the path, and gives us our inner knowing and trust that we always have enough.
When water is in balance, the body is clear and lively, the mind is quick and vigilant, the spirit is powerful and full of willpower.
Absolutely anyone can and likely will benefit from 5 element acupuncture. You do not need to believe anything, or know anything about the elements to feel their power and gifts. The beauty of this medicine is that it lives within you. No books or blogs will be needed to access the power of your own being.
I have enormous success with people who are skeptics, because they expect nothing and know nothing about the medicine. Therefore, they experience it in a very pure way that allows it to work exactly as intended.
On the flip side, people who are practitioners of other disciples, who practice holistic medicine, often feel immense changes and are blown away by how much “like themselves” they feel.
After the first treatment or so, the patient starts saying “I feel like myself”. Which is the golden sign for me that we are on the right element.
The ultimate goal here is not to add something to you, or to alter you in some way. The goal here is to make you feel like yourself, and all health flows from that self realization.
