Five Elements Acupuncture

Acupuncture was never on my radar despite years of using alternative medicine for a variety of ailments. Then in 2013 I had a difficult diagnosis with very invasive procedures and dangerous medications suggested as the only way to manage symptoms but not to heal. A close friend of mine suggested acupuncture and told me of someone that she saw for treatment, so I blindly accepted the offer and began my acupuncture journey.

I did not know then that there were many styles of acupuncture, but I had stumbled on the style that always resonated with me when choosing any type of alternative medicine. I did not want something that would manage symptoms or act as a bandaid. I wanted something that spurred the body to heal itself.

The simplified way of explaining this style, called Five Elements Acupuncture, can best explained as the most holistic. Other styles base treatment on symptoms alone, and while bringing some relief, I have found these to not bring complete healing. Five Elements spurs self healing extraordinarily well.

Five Elements Acupuncture is sometimes called Constitutional Acupuncture, basing treatment on a person's constitutional makeup.  The Five Elements refers to the five different constitutions, given the labels of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. While we do have all of the Elements in us, we also have that One that is our personal Element. This Element reveals our greatest strengths and our biggest challenges.

An acupuncturist will look at a person's face, listen to the sound of the voice, ascertain the dominant emotion, smell the skin, ask about other affected organs, and observe many other factors to determine the Element. Once the Element has been decided upon, treatment is designed to balance the whole body with that One being the primary focus. That said, of course if there is a major ache or pain, an acupuncturist will also include acupuncture points that can bring some instant relief while the body is continuing to heal.

One example that I like to use is an "arthritic knee." Yes, acupuncture points around the knee can bring some relief, but my question is, "What is out of balance in the body and its organ systems that contribute to the arthritis?" Treatment begins with points for the constitution, followed by the organ systems out of balance, and then some relief points. Treating only for relief means that a return of the main complaint is likely.

Another example would be of my own treatment. My acupuncturist asked me many questions about my health and lifestyle before starting treatment. I never told him about my overactive bladder (thank you twin pregnancy!) where I would have to urinate every 30 minutes. This did not seem important to me as other issues were at a critical stage. Acupuncture treatments began and he encouraged the body to heal, focusing on my constitution with overall wellness.  Within six treatment, I noticed one day that I only had the urge to urinate every two to three hours, like a healthy person would. There was only one treatment change in my life at that point that could explain the disappearance of that symptom: acupuncture. My body was beginning to heal itself.