The Chinese observe that the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) exist in everything and are vital for life. In the year’s seasons, the elements manifest in their cycle of change and transformation. In spring, the Wood element season, buds appear while summer, the season of Fire, brings fruition and flowering. During the season of Earth, late summer, harvest time begins. Autumn, the season of Metal, is nature’s time to clear for the next growing cycle. Winter, the Water season, is a time of renewal.

The elements operate in human beings as they do in nature. These elements manifest as organs and functions. Good health is maintained by elemental balance. Five-Element Acupuncture asserts that every human being develops an imbalance in the functioning of one of these elements. This imbalance is the primary cause of illness for the individual. Specific organs and functions are contained within each of the elements.

When an element becomes imbalanced, the organs and functions (Spleen, Kidneys, Lungs, Heart, etc) associated with the element become imbalanced. This primary imbalance affects all other elements and their related organs and functions. Five-Element Acupuncture observes that any presenting symptom may be the result of imbalance originating in any one element, as they are all interconnected. The acupuncture physician must determine which element is manifesting as the root imbalance.

Once the primary imbalance is correctly diagnosed and treated, all other elemental imbalances will clear. Five-Element Acupuncture treats the individual’s causative factor, his/her root imbalance. In addition to the causative factor, energetic blocks may present which overlap with the primary imbalance. The acupuncture physician must diagnose and treat illness by removal of all existing energetic blocks. This system addresses the health care of the individual holistically, at the levels of mind, body and spirit.

Develop a career as an acupuncture physician. Call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500 for further information or registration in Acupuncture & Massage College’s Master of Oriental Medicine program. Visit AMC’s website at www.amcollege.edu for program and class descriptions. Acupuncture & Massage College, 10506 N. Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33176.