Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most comprehensive systems of medicine in the world, dating back 5,000 years. It involves placing extremely thin needles in specific acupuncture points to encourage the body’s own healing process. The acupuncture profession has gained notoriety in recent years because of coverage in the main-stream media, on programs such as “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, “Sex in the City”, and “The Practice”, but the wisdom behind this powerful system of medicine is timeless.
The Goal is Balance
The ancient Chinese observed that the universe is always changing and one needs to adapt to these changes to maintain one’s health and well-being.
The term, the Tao, means The Way, which represents the natural law and order of all things. The ancient Chinese believed when one lives in harmony with nature or the Tao, one will be able to protect oneself from illness and disease.
Fire is the element which provides the warmth and love that all humans experience. Like the sun, radiating its brightness and light to all, the fire element warms our body, mind and spirit. Because of the fire element we can be touched, we can feel tenderness, we can extend compassion.
Earth is the element which provides the sustenance and ground from which all is born. It represents the qualities of harvest, fruition and fulfillment within us. “Earth” is the mother of us all.
Metal provides the richness and quality to all in nature. “Metal” is both the minerals and jewels of the earth and the pure chi of the air we breathe. It represents inspiration and vision, it is the father of us all.
Water provides the deep undercurrent of fluidity in our lives. “Water” can run freely or chaotically or it can be frozen solid. Since we are a part of nature, the water in us can move freely, promoting health and flexibility. It is that essential part of our being where we can find renewal.
• strengthen the physical body
• prevent disease
• control pain
• calm the mind
• and enhance health
Classical Five Element Acupuncture
This unique system of acupuncture looks to the five elements inherent in all living things, known as Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water to determine where an imbalance lies within an individual. The five elements correspond to cycles of growth and change as witnessed in the nature’s seasons: Spring, Summer, Later Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each of the elements has a unique nature and spirit, and every human being has a constitutional affinity to one or more of them. It is a system which helps you to understand who you are, why you behave and feel the way you do, and how the world inside you mirrors the energy and vitality of the natural world. Wood provides the energy to grow and move. Just like the grass in spring asserting itself, wood energy pushes through in order to establish its life force. Without wood energy, we wouldn’t be able to plan, or start and develop new projects. Worse yet, our children would not have the energy to grow.Fire is the element which provides the warmth and love that all humans experience. Like the sun, radiating its brightness and light to all, the fire element warms our body, mind and spirit. Because of the fire element we can be touched, we can feel tenderness, we can extend compassion.
Earth is the element which provides the sustenance and ground from which all is born. It represents the qualities of harvest, fruition and fulfillment within us. “Earth” is the mother of us all.
Metal provides the richness and quality to all in nature. “Metal” is both the minerals and jewels of the earth and the pure chi of the air we breathe. It represents inspiration and vision, it is the father of us all.
Water provides the deep undercurrent of fluidity in our lives. “Water” can run freely or chaotically or it can be frozen solid. Since we are a part of nature, the water in us can move freely, promoting health and flexibility. It is that essential part of our being where we can find renewal.
What Acupuncture Will do for You
Chinese Medicine is a system of preserving health and treating illness by seeing the mind/body/spirit as a whole. Its goal is to maintain or restore harmony and balance in all parts of the human being and also between the whole human being and the surrounding environment. Acupuncture can:• strengthen the physical body
• prevent disease
• control pain
• calm the mind
• and enhance health