Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is often thought of as what is taught in China, but this reality is uncertain because in China, the Chinese medicine practiced can be incredibly diverse. This is the real strength of Chinese medicine, as it has so many different techniques that can treat our ailments. There is not just one treatment for all, but many different avenues that can be taken. It is part of the practitioners job to correctly diagnose what works for each individual patient. TCM encompasses many of these different techniques and uses a modality of differentiation of disease in order to pursue which is the correct form of treatment for every person.

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Five Element acupuncture encompasses the ancient Chinese understanding of the relationship of the five elements (or phases) and how these relationships bring about the world we inhabit. The five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, all of which encompass different aspects of us and the world. An example of this can be seen in the seasons;

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Spring is the energy of the Wood element, summer is Fire, late summer is Earth, autumn is Metal and winter is Water.

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As the relationship of these seasons gives us a harmonious year, so too is this relationship seen in our bodies to give us health. These elements also correspond to the flow of our emotions;

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Joy is our Fire energy, Anger is Wood, Sympathy is Earth, Grief is Metal and Fear is Water.

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Five Element theory explains that at times it is appropriate to show these emotions. However, how appropriately and smoothly we flow through these emotions, without getting stuck in any one particular emotion, shows how balanced the elements are within us.

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Five Element acupuncture works to balance these elements by enabling us to become more appropriate in ourselves. Working on the emotional and spiritual level, this form of acupuncture can be revolutionary and have fantastic results for people who may not be able to explain how or what they are feeling or feel generally unwell and tired but have no obvious diagnosis.

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Using both TCM and Five Element acupuncture together clears blockages that manifest on a physical and mental level. Enabling us to get to the root cause of the problem and treat the individual as a whole.

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Patients often walk away not only with reductions in their presenting symptoms, but also with a greater sense of overall health and well-being.