“Great healers get straight to the point. They waste no time”
Huangdi Neijing – 230BC
five element
acupuncture
What is it?
Five-Element Acupuncture originated in China well over 2000 years ago, and has been passed down from Master to Student both through the study of texts and oral teaching. An unbroken lineage has maintained the transmission of an astounding body of knowledge of health, illness and the human condition.
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Throughout the ages individual masters of acupuncture have developed their own style of treatment, incorporating new ideas over time. Five-Element Acupuncture, which is largely built on this oral tradition, eventually forged its path to Europe through key pioneers such as Jacques Lavier and Professor J.R. Worsley, the British founder.
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Perhaps most important of all, when understanding the very heart and foundation of Five-Element Acupuncture, is the fundamental belief that many physical problems expressed and experienced by patients today are the product of emotional and spiritual distress as much as any physical cause. Therefore, the aim of Five-Element Acupuncture is to isolate the cause of the complaint, to support and correct the cause, and within that process, for each individual to discover a greater sense of them Self. This helps the person feel at home in their own skin and gives the patient tools for life in order to implement any necessary changes, and to live life as fully and as consciously as possible.
As we may observe in the organic patterns of nature, health and longevity are the result for those who live and operate from their authentic Self.
What are the five elements?
According to ancient Chinese philosophy, the entire universe can be observed and experienced through the five elements as found in nature; Wood, Water, Fire, Earth and Metal.
In humankind we can observe these elements manifesting in many different ways: for example – five pairings of organs, five distinct emotions, sounds, smells and colours. Each organ of the body corresponds to one of the elements, which in turn corresponds to one of the seasons of the year. The elements they are the five distinct phases through which all things pass from their beginning to their end.
Diagnosis and treatment
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Diagnosis involves looking at a patient’s constitutional & emotional make-up; their strengths and weaknesses. At the initial consultation a patient will be asked about their main complaint and to give a full medical history. It is also important to mention at this point that we always have a good number of patients who present no particular health problems but are undertaking treatment to maintain their good health, and as preventative medicine.
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The actual treatment plan will then based around each individual’s needs, taking into consideration age, medical symptoms, general constitution and life circumstances. The treatment journey takes the patient from pathology to good health and through to accessing their full potential.
A common question asked is how long should a patient expect to be receiving treatment? A typical course of treatment would be a weekly appointment for four weeks, progressing to fortnightly and then proceeding to longer intervals as necessary. Obviously, individual cases vary, and some conditions may take longer to treat, and this will be explained at diagnosis.
