Get to the Root
with Five Element Acupuncture by Antoinette Fiumos, DOM, AP
The goal of Five Element Acupuncture is to return the patient to their Original Tao-their destiny path, their Original nature, their Oneness with God. It is an ancient form of acupuncture rooted in the philosophy of Taoism. Taoist philosophy is based on the writings and teachings of Lao-Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher. His ideas and principles preceded Confucius thinking. He taught people to live in harmony with nature's cycles and natural laws in order to maintain their health. This aspect of Chinese thought was attempted to be eliminated from the practice of Chinese Medicine once Mao further consolidated power over the Chinese Communist Party in 1942. The Chinese Medical model shifted to focus primarily on treating patient's bodily symptoms, no longer focusing on mental, emotional, or spiritual issues: it remains so today. Acupuncturists in Europe translated the ancient Taoist texts and Five Element Acupuncture was born out of their understanding of how energy exists in nature and in the same way in their patients. Their patient's health was restored on not only the body level, but also the mental, emotional, and spirit level by matching their personal energy types with the natural elements and seasonal cycles of the environment-Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal/Air.
A person's elemental type is unique to them. They are born with the destiny to learn their life's lessons in the particular way of their specific elemental type. Their elemental type is also influenced by their life experiences and circumstances.
A Water energy type person is especially motivated to use their ambition and willpower to make their life happen. A patient whose water energy is lacking will feel fatigued, disempowered, and unable to access their will and power. This leaves them feeling fearful about their lack of well-being. The Wood energy type is a person whose flexibility and adaptability are personal strengths. They are good at birthing new plans and making decisions that execute those plans. If their Wood is weak they can feel stagnant, frustrated, and even rigid. The vision of their future can look hopeless and they can feel like they cannot move forward in their life. The Fire type person enjoys partnership, connection, and networking with family and new and old friends and acquaintances. Their eyes sparkle especially when they are living their life in alignment with their heart's desires. A deficient Fire type can feel burned out and disconnected, even literally numb, and their lackluster eyes then see life as joy less. The Earth type person is thoughtful and contemplative, their mind is quick and logical. They care for themselves just as well as they care for others. When out of balance they can feel heavy, lethargic and even nauseous; like they are walking around in circles without rhythm and purpose. The Metal/Air type person is full of honor and respect. They have a regal nature that shows up in their elegant posture. When their Metal is depleted they instead feel value-less and disregarding of themselves and others. The Metal/Air type when deficient can feel void of energy in their chest and thereby have breathing problems as their chest feels collapsed.
The Five Element Acupuncturist does a matching of the patient’s state to that of the Five elements. The energetics of the patient is diagnosed through questioning, listening, and observing. For example, a patient comes in whose main complaint is that they are fatigued all the time, especially between the hours of three and five o'clock p.m. They have to drink a lot of caffeine in order to get through the day. They have back pain and have to use anti-anxiety medication on a regular basis. This patient is observed to have a hard time sitting upright and they report that their primary emotional state is fear and anxiety. The Five Element Acupuncturist notates all of this as well as observing their physical characteristics and body language as they describe their lifestyle and circumstances. This information, along with their answers to certain questions, informs the Five Element Acupuncturist which of their five elements is their strongest route to greatest health. In the case of the patient above, it is the Water energy that needs to be strengthened in order to restore her health.
The initial appointment is set up for two hours and includes the acupuncture treatment. According to the diagnosis, the acupuncture points selected are for a general clearing of obstructive energies as well as points to lift and maintain their spirits and emotions. Patients report that this segment of the treatment is deeply relaxing. After the clearing portion of the treatment, the patient is treated with points that match their specific elemental type. For example, the patient diagnosed as a Water type will be treated with points on the related organ pathways, the kidney and urinary bladder, located or on the chest, low back, and ankles.
The Five Element Acupuncturist also teaches the patient to manage their energy and lifestyle so that it is more in alignment with their elemental type. For example, the Water person will learn to manage their anxiety by learning how "to go with the flow" more often and to therefore be more in control and have power over their personal energy. They will learn when to take a rest and when and how to push through their exhaustion without depleting their energy. The goal of this is to maintain their Water energy's health, giving them access to the positive traits of their element.
Instead of chasing symptoms, the goal is to treat the patient at the level of the root of their discomfort. After the initial visit, patients may follow up with 6 to 8 one-hour treatments. These follow up visits focus on returning function to their main element (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal/Air), As the patient returns to an original state of greater health, every aspect of their life improves—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The net result is their list of symptoms diminishes and the original strength of body, mind, and spirit is returned. After the main element is returned to balance, most patients find it beneficial to a have a monthly "tune up" treatment. This keeps all of their Five elements moving and strong so they can carry out their life with more power, direction, joy, ease and personal respect.
In summary, Five Element Acupuncture is an ancient method built around the idea that the road to wellness is unique to the individual. It is not about treating the list of symptoms the patient reports, instead it is about determining why the patient feels the way the do and why they cannot access their own health. Treatment on the patient's primary elemental type brings them to a sustainable place of health. Treatment, combined with the education they receive, teaches them to manage their own energy. In the example of the Water type described above, the patient comes to know more about the limits of the power of their energy. The Wood type person will gain more clarity and insight into maintaining their energy's boundaries. The Fire type will learn how to avoid burn out and maintain their energy so that they are able to stay connected to them self and others. The Earth type will learn how to care for themselves and others while maintaining their mental acuity. The Metal/Air type will learn how to take a deep breath and honor the value of their energy so that they can retain a sense of self respect.
Note: The author, Antoinette Fiumos, Doctor Oriental Medicine/Acupuncture Physician has been in private practice in the Washington, D.C/ Baltimore, MD area since 1997. She is joining the practice of Mary Cetan, Doctor Oriental Medicine/Acupuncture Physician who has been in private practice at Natural Health Center in Sarasota since 1999. The clinic is located on the SW corner of Bee Ridge Road and Shade, call 941-926-7899, contact NaturalHealthCenter@verizon.net.