For various reasons, a person’s energy can become imbalanced.  Imbalances can occur on any level-physical, mental/emotional or spiritual. When imbalanced, you may experience symptoms such as pain, fatigue, lack of energy, depression, loss of the joy for life, or not feeling like yourself.  If you don’t pay attention to these or other symptoms, disease and illness can set in.

Acupuncture needles are inserted into acupuncture points that are located on the pathways of energy throughout the body.  When the needles are inserted, Qi is stimulated to increase energy, remove blocks, and restore your body’s own innate ability to heal itself.

Classical Five Element Acupuncture identifies and treats the root cause of the body’s imbalances, thus alleviating symptoms on any level. CFEA treats the deepest part of you, enabling your body to return to, or maintain, physical, mental/emotional & spiritual health.  CFEA is a unique and powerful form of natural healing.

wood

Wood is like the child of all elements since it is so preoccupied with it’s own growth until it becomes more mature (Fire element begins).  It holds the vision of what a seed/person will turn in to.  When talking about the Wood Element, we can use the analogy of a tightly coiled spring.  Seeds underground, pressure from the compacted soil of winter is keeping the seeds down, until it is the right time for them to burst up & out of the ground for new growth.  When the time is right, the coil gently unwinds and the seeds spurt new upward growth.  Growth can be steady, even, and gentle.  If the coil pops up too fast, or if the plant shoots up and starts growing too fast, it will not have the strength to withstand nature.  If you keep your finger on the coil, or say a rock is in the way, the new growth will come up bent/crooked.  If the coil pops to rapidly, the seeds may fly off and land in another place-they may never fulfill their potential.  There is a certain amount of fragility to the seeds, but they have much power & determination.  The tendons and ligaments in our bodies are like the spring, they allow us to be flexible and provide movement in our bodies.  They determine how we move and adapt.

One can also use the analogy of a strong oak tree-roots are keeping it well grounded into the earth and its upper part/branches are free and light reaching up to the heavens above.  Branches can be more “fragile” in a sense, more exposed to wind, etc… The roots provide stability and strength.

The two primary roles of the metal elements (the officials) is to connect us to an inspiration that is greater than ourselves.  Also, we must let go on all levels to things we no longer need or things that no longer serve us well.  When we connect to something higher than ourselves, we are connected to spirit and have a sense of purpose in our lives.  It is important to have the ability to connect to and recognize there is something bigger than us (God, Spirit, Reverence) in order to have that sense of purpose in life.  Man is viewed as the conduit between Heaven and Earth:  “Feet on the ground and our head in the clouds.”  This provides balance between Heaven & Earth.  There is an invisible cord that connects us to both, we need as much of a connection to earth as we do to heaven.  Function of metal is the same function we all have on earth.  We all act as conduits of energy between heaven and Earth.  Metal within earth is what holds it together as well as giving it quality (minerals within earth).  Air is a metal.  Pure metals are cold, hard and incisive.

The Earth element is related to “Mother” earth.  Earth feeds us (body/mind/spirit), provides nourishment and a sense of security.  The earth is our home and is familiar & comforting.  The earth provides support for our feet, our homes, etc…  Mother earth is in each one of us.  We are all capable of mothering ourselves as well as having a birth mother.  A mother’s natural instinct is to protect, nourish, nurture, secure, and feed her children.  A mother teaches the child stability and confidence so it cans tart to care for (mother) itself.  We always have a child within that needs to be nourished, cared for, etc…

What we see, hear, and feel around us nourishes our souls/spirits.  We can feel grounded and balanced and have inner peace when the earth element is strong within us.  When you set goals-will be able to fulfill them and will have an abundant life.

Winter is the most Yin time of year.  It is the time that metal is done letting go and everything in nature is down to it’s bare essentials.  There is a starkness/barrenness of winter.  This is who I am in essence.  The energy this time of year is internal and conserving.  Tree sap is in roots, everything inward is working at it’s optimum.  Bare essential essence:  things are not dead, just resting from within and conserving.  Holding energy from within to preserve and store.

In winter, we tend to spend more time indoors and more time doing quiet/internal activities.  It is a good time for rest and reflection.

Our bodies are made up of 80% water and everything in nature is made up of water as well.  We can go without food for a long period of time, but not without water.  We may become scared if we do not have water to quench our thirsts.

Water does not have a shape of it’s own.  It needs something to contain it or give it shape; therefore, it is very adaptable.  It can take many different forms (vapor/steam/ice) and is very changeable.  Water can be very cleansing.  When we bathe we are left with bare essentials that we need (baptism, spiritual cleansing, cleanse the mind/body/spirit).  The nature of water is to be continuous with it’s flowing, if left in one place it can become stagnant.  Water is also colorless and takes on whatever color the light is reflecting.  Self reflection in a pool of water, self hibernation-all help us to see our true identity/for us to discover what is really inside, our true essence.  A good time for reflective meditation/concentration.  Most people go to bed early and sleep later due to less light during the daytime.  It is a good time for men especially to conserve sexual energy.  Water carries the seed of life in sperm/egg/amniotic fluid, which provides new growth in the spring.

Our Jing Qi is stored in our kidneys; it can be supplemented but not replaced.  The moon has a strong influence on menses.

Winter is a time for great trust.  Trust that Spring will come and bring new growth.  It is a time of internal wills, strength, courage, and determination if we have the necessary built in reserves.

Fluids in the body:  blood, mucous, lymph, urine, sweat, saliva, digestive fluids, hormones, synovial fluid, spinal fluid, bile, breast milk, amniotic fluid, sexual secretions.

Qualities of Water:  Purifying/Cleansing; Refreshing (inward/outward); Invigorating (cold); Quieting/Calming (warm/hot water & sounds of water); scary (when it looses its boundaries-floods, pee in pants); Reflecting

The Fire element is the Guardian of Love.  It gives us the ability to have feelings towards others.  Fire tempers it’s actions on how it will affect others as it develops relationships.  If we give out love, we assume that we will get it back.  For example, we smile at others & they smile back.

The analogy of a fire burning is helpful to understand this element.  A “normal” burning fire can provide warmth, it is a place where people gather, and it can be cozy and create the atmosphere of love/closeness.  A fire’s flames burn up and outward, just as people do.