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The Five Elements of Healing Approach

May 17, 2024

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are five primary methods of healing. These can be categorised into acupuncture, massage, moxibustion (or moxa), cupping therapy, and herbal medicine. These treatments can be connected with the five elements (earth, wood, fire, metal, and water) to assist in understanding the holistic healing approach to the body. This is one healing approach in TCM that connects specific therapies to the elements. 


Linking these body elements to the TCM therapies can look like:


  1. Fire being connected to the heart. The overall cardiovascular health of the body and the mind is also targeted.
  2. Wood being connected to the liver. This is also responsible for anti-stress, and increased balance and flexibility.
  3. Earth being connected to the spleen. This element also focuses on the muscular and digestive systems, as well as influencing disciplinary thinking.
  4. Metal being linked to lungs. The respiratory system, as well as skin and hair health are influenced by this element.
  5. Water being linked to the kidneys. This element can also have an influence on the bones, sleeping, and mindfulness.


Interestingly, each of the five methods of TCM healing can be linked to the body elements and can help support or improve upon the key areas of healing within these categories. Although, it is important to note that this approach is just one way of thinking in TCM. The therapies involved in TCM are important and beneficial for the body, mind, and soul holistically as the energy involved in each of these therapies helps improve and balance the flow of qi throughout the body’s meridians. However, these therapies can also be found to have benefits on specific, connected aspects of the body. 


This means that:


  1. The herbal medicine in TCM, and the importance of its bitter taste, can help to improve the cardiovascular health of individuals, whilst providing cleansing properties (as well as contributing to the overall health of the mind and body).
  2. Massage is connected to the element of wood, as the skin contact can assist in balancing the senses, nerves, and body signals to support decreased stress, and improve the overall balance of the body.
  3. Cupping is linked to the earth element, as the process of suctioning and releasing the skin relaxes the muscles and body which is good for the muscular system.
  4. Acupuncture is related to metal, meaning that the acupuncture needles can support stress-related issues. When the needles are applied quickly and effectively, they can pull out negative tension from the medians within the body, which can balance the flow of qi.
  5. Moxibustion and the associated heat of the treatment are connected to the water element in TCM. The special herbal balance can relax the body and treat water-related issues, such as coldness.


The holistic healing approach, which is integral to TCM, is also applied to each element and associated treatment option. This elemental thinking doesn’t rely on a point-to-point treatment that immediately expresses benefits, but is beneficial on a broader scope. The holistic approach doesn’t just focus on a specific issue, but treats the body as a whole, interconnected system where no symptom or issue is treated in isolation. This means that as symptoms arise in specific places, the root causes of these health concerns can be addressed by focusing on the rest of the body so that no aspect is neglected and the issue area isn’t being overtreated. This holistic approach to treatment creates balance within the body and improves health issues from the inside out. 


The five elements of this healing concept can be given to clients as a method to mind-fully address their health concerns in a relatively stress-free environment. This is recommended instead of a disease and pathological methods approach to diagnosis, which can lead to stress, enhancing the present sickness and symptoms, and affecting the healing and balance of the problem.


This approach can empower clients as they can take charge and initiate their health journeys at home and throughout their daily lives, to either improve or support chronic conditions. By doing this, clients can exercise assertiveness and feel less helpless in the medical and health environment.





Written by Lili Henderson-Clark

Understanding Pain: A Holistic Approach to Managing Chronic and Everyday Discomfort

March 26, 2025
Pain is a natural part of life and a common experience for many people. It often serves as a signal from your body, indicating that something needs attention. This signal may come in various forms—changes in temperature , blood pressure , breathing patterns , or physical discomfort. While pain can be unpleasant, it can also be useful in helping you understand your body better and take proactive steps toward healing. These changes within your body that can be observed through the feeling of pain, can help you to become aware of what is happening with your body, so that you have the opportunity to take notice of your symptoms, and seek help. This means that pain can assist you in making you feel more open and connected in understanding how your body and mind are feeling and changing over time. This is the philosophical level to explaining pain, which can hopefully provide you with a grounding feeling, and less of a hopeless feeling, as you can understand that your body is presenting these symptoms for a reason.

What is Moxibustion?

March 3, 2025
Moxibustion, or Moxa, is one of the traditional therapies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This therapy has existed even longer than acupuncture, as the needle for acupuncture needed to be developed . Moxa works by applying a specific herbal remedy with heat to target certain points in the body for different therapeutic functions. It is not just the heat itself that makes this treatment effective, but rather it is how Yin and Yang and the energy force are worked through selected points, encouraging the qi to further circulate in the body, relieving tension, and removing specific symptoms of illness or discomfort. This treatment is also beneficial as the warming sensation is essential for comforting and improving cold, weak, or chronic conditions, as well as enhancing qi or yang deficiency patterns in patients by moving the energy through the body’s 12 meridians . This therapy also focuses on the prevention of diseases and the maintenance of overall health and well-being.

Herbal and Food Combined Therapy

November 18, 2024
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a combination of good foods and Chinese herbs is essential for overall health and wellbeing. A small amount of traditional herbs can be eaten daily alongside a healthy diet, for additional nutritional support and for maintaining balance, and good health. This is known as food therapy and medical diet therapy in TCM, and this helps to balance the Yin and Yang through a combination of nutrition and exercise. Traditional Chinese herbs are an edible type of medicine that have been used in TCM for many years. The herbs are used for healing, and for providing many health benefits. Herbs often have a bitter taste, putting off some people from trying this simple way to improve your lifestyle. A core feature of TCM is the belief that a combination of the five flavours in our diet supports our vital organs and overall health, which are Sweet, Salty, Spicy/Pungent, Bitter, and Sour . So, herbs can often be eaten in combination with special fruits, nuts, and seeds to make for a more pleasant, and slightly sweet taste. This can also help you to gain additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This combination of food and traditional Chinese herbs is a remedy that can support your immune system and vital functions. These small portions of combined seeds, fruit, and Chinese herbs, can be eaten daily and through a variety of methods. It is common for these to be eaten in bread, porridge, or through forms of steaming.
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