Using examples from nature you can see Fire burning up Water and Water washing away Earth and so on.Ĭlinically you may see this in cases where people have long-term psychological problems (Fire) which eventually effect the Kidneys (Water) as seen in the development of more Yin (Water) deficiency signs.įive Element Pathology and Clinical ApplicationsĪs described in the introduction there are a variety of ways in which the theory is used clinically. The insulting cycle (wu) is also an imbalance within the controlling cycle where the grandchild insults or returns the controlling force generated by the grandmother. In this case you have an overactive Wood element overcontrolling Earth leading to distruptions in the digestive system. Within nature you may see Water putting out Fire, Earth soaking up Water and so on.Ī clinical example of this relationship would be Liver (Wood) overacting on the Spleen (Earth). The overacting cycle (cheng) is an imbalance within the controlling cycle where the grandmother element provides too much control over the grandchild and weakens the element. An example of this relationship within the body is in cases of anxiety (Fire) which are related to LV Qi Stagnation (Wood) where, over time, you begin to see more Kidney (Water) related signs as the Water element attempts to control the overactive Fire. Within this cycle Earth, for example, provides a control for Water and is controlled by Wood. The controlling (ke, grandparent-grandchild) cycle provides for a check and balance system among all of the elements. Within this case you may see a combination of bloating, gas and poor energy with the development of Metal (Lung) symptoms such as sinusitis or phlegm-type asthma. Additionally, if Earth is weakened the Metal element may also be effected.įrom a clinical perspective you may see people develop digestive issues from irregular eating, excessive worry and overwork which leads to a proliferation of dampness which then effects the Metal element. If Earth, for example, is weakened from a poor diet and overwork you will see that more nourishment is requested from the Fire element to nourish Earth.
This relationship provides the foundation for understanding five element theory and, consequently, where imbalances may arise within the cycle. This cycle describes the ways in which each element, serving as a mother, promotes the growth and development of the following child element.Įxamples of this cycle are the Wood element providing the generative force for Fire, Fire providing the generative force for Earth, etc.
The first of these is the generating (sheng, mother-child) cycle. Within five element theory there are four main relationships or ways in which the elements interact.
For a more general interest description of five elements theory, you may read " A Discussion of Five Element Theory and Applications to Life."įive Element Cyles, Relationships and Interactions The information below discusses the Five Element theory and clinical applications in detail. The theory is used extensively by Japanese acupuncturists within the five phase treatment protocols and by Classical five element practitioners, such as those who follow the teachings of the late J.R. Additionally, elements of the theory are useful for assisting patients with nutritional balancing and/or working through emotional issues. In modern clinical practice the five element theory is used in varying degrees depending on the practitioner and style of acupuncture that they practice.įor practitioners or Traditional Chinese Medicine, the theory may be used to help form a diagnosis when there is conflicting signs and symptoms. From a historical perspective it is an important underpinning of medical theory and serves as one of the major diagnostic and treatment protocols. Five element theory is one of the major systems of thought within Chinese medicine.