How Does Chinese Medicine Work? (5 Element Perspective)
The five elements are perhaps one of the most fundamental aspects of Chinese Medicine.
They represent the macrocosm (the universe/world around us) & microcosm (our body).
They explore the flow of energy in both Zheng (generating) and Ke (controlling) cycles.
Each element has about 5-10+ associations with that element (spirits, seasons, qi-nature, organs, meridians, etc).
For example; The wood element is associated with the colour green, the organs gall bladder & liver, the sides of the body where their channels course (hypochondriac pain anyone?), it’s emotional excess tends towards irritability/anger.
When the element is out of balance it’s expansive qi mechanism turns inwards to be brooding and depressive. It’s environmental season is spring, flavour is sour, and it’s spirit the hun which allows us to make decisions and feel we have a clear life path- if this is something you feel you lack perhaps you hun is out of balance.
The flow of energy between the five elements in both generating & controlling cycles have the ability to impact your whole body in ways you wouldn’t even know.
Have you ever been spiralling and not been able to snap yourself out of it? Have you noticed whenever you’re stressed your digestion is affected?
Now, think of that one impact/health complaint, and then consider the 5-10+ associations each element has, and over time the little niggle of pain, the slight feeling of depression, the morning diarrhoea has rippled itself throughout the entire body manifesting as different disharmonies in each element.
Have you ever said “I don’t know, I’m falling apart”.
The truth is you don’t fall apart overnight. You may wake up one morning where everything is askew, but it doesn’t happen overnight.
The first 3 things I ask patients when they come to me
What is their main complaint
When did it start
What was happening around the time it started.
These 3 questions and the patient’s responses usually point me in a really clear direction of what element is affected. Through a focused treatment on their element I am able to ripple an improvement into their whole system. The whole five elements through the Zheng cycle.
This takes time though. Just as disease progression is slow, we need to be patient with the body re-learning its new way of health.
But what can you do now to help yourself?
Please, please don’t ignore your bodies whispers. Any feeling of discomfort is your body talking to you. Treat your body like you would a small child, you wouldn't tell a child to shut up and get on with it if they fell over and scraped their knee.
Tune in & listen to your body, and then ask for help.
Step 1: Tune in- what messages is your body telling you? Do you get migraines, period pains, bloating, loose stools, back pain, insomnia, brittle nails…anything that you think is “just normal” for you?
Step 2: Create a Judgement free zone- create a comfortable environment in your mind where you can notice “oh my neck feels a little tighter than normal today” or “ oh [insert health complaint here] is [symptom] here today”. You don’t need to create a “good” or “bad” emotion in response to this complaint, and you definitely don’t need to burry your head in the sand. Just take note.
Step 3: Ask yourself “what is my body trying to communicate with me?”
Perhaps your headache is from not drinking enough water?
Step 4: Understand if you don’t know the answer to step 3 it’s OKAY. It’s not your job to know all about the human body, but it IS your job to respect your body and seek help if you don’t have all the answers.
Find a qualified health professional that you resonate with that can help (because it is literally their job).
Tune in & listen to your body, and then ask for help.
Step 5: For the love of everything that exists, PLEASE DON’T WAIT! Take action.
If you came to me when a complaint first started likely chances I can treat it in 2-3 treatments (complaint depending), but if you wait 6 months that is extended to 5-12 tx and if you wait YEARS… well, you get the gist.
If you’re concerned about your complaint but not sure whether or not it’s “valid” just check in, doesn’t hurt to ask. Also, it’s worth noting that Chinese Medicine can do alot where western medicine fails. I see alot of patients who have tried everything and are coming to Chinese medicine as a last resort. More often than not its a simple “wood invading earth” attacking cycle. Or a disharmony that is so engrained in the body it is systemic.
Please note, when I say “simple” it’s a simple diagnosis with a 5000 year old framework supporting its treatment. Although, if you’ve had this condition for years it’s going to take hard work from both you and me to get on the right track. I’m talking lifestyle, diet, sleep hygiene, you name it. Chinese medicine is holistic, and if you really want to get better and live your most vibrant & authentic life then let us do it together.
Real health has no simple answer, or tablet that will instantly make you better. Health is a constant dance, an eb & flow of qi. It reflects our internal environment as it does our external environment (microcosm & macrocosm). It is therefore appropriate that your treatment practitioner assesses both.