5 Element Theory & Possibilities

[Guest guest]

I've posted about this on here before. I want to give those new to

TCM and new to the list an idea of some of what is possible with

TCM. Don't worry about understanding the technical stuff. The main

thing is that these headaches had been getting worse and worse for

years. The technical stuff is for the students.

 

I first learned about 5 Elements Theory from a book by a British

acupuncturist. I discovered that it was possible using 5 Element

Theory and some of the 5 Transporting Points of the 12 basic

meridians (and some Back Transporting Points) to not only knock out

some severe headaches with acupressure and heating pads but to

reduce my tendency to them. The headaches had started many years ago

when I was in junior high, and had gotten worse and worse over the

years. They were so bad that once one got really bad, a shot of

demerol in the emergency room wouldn't stop it, only blunt it enough

so I could sleep through the worst of the headache. I was very

impressed when acupressure and heat on certain points were able to

knock out one of these headaches in seconds. I highly recommend

learning 5 Element Theory as it can give an extra bit of help in

cases that are " knotty " (complex) and/or of long duration. Some

schools don't teach it; some only give a brief intro to it.

 

The 5 Transporting Points are 5 of the points that are between the

toes and the knees or the finger tips and the elbow of each of the

12 main meridians. (Not every point in these locations is a

Transporting Point.) The 5 Transporting Points also correspond to

the 5 Element Points. Each of the 12 main meridians have Element

Points that correspond to the 5 Elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal,

and Water.

 

Remember the Mother-Son rule. If you tonify the Mother, the Son

automatically is tonified. Say for example a person has Deficiency

in the Liver channel. Since Water is the " Mother " of Wood, you

tonify the Water point on the Liver meridian (Lv-8). If there is

Excess in a channel, you reduce the " Son " of the Element. In the

case of the Liver channel, that would be the Fire point (Lv-2)

because Fire is the " Son " of Wood. (Example taken from Giovanni

Maciocia, The Foundations of , p. 341.)

 

The Back Transporting Points are special points on the Bladder

meridian that correspond to Organs. The BTPs can be important in

diagnosis. If there is imbalance in an Organ, its corresponding BTP

often will be sore when pressed. I had been sick so long that I

didn't have to press on Bl-23 (Kidneys) to tell it was sore. It had

been so sore so often over the years that when I first began to

learn about acupoints I realized with a shock that Bl-23 were those

spots - one on either side of the spine - that had been bothering me

for years.

 

The Back Transporting Points also are used to treat conditions.

They can be especially important in treating chronic conditions. I

had discovered by accident that when I had a headache on the left

side that hadn't gotten too established, it could be knocked out in

seconds with a heating pad on the waist area of the back. I had

discovered years before that that a heating pad on the neck helped.

It reduced the duration of the headache from days to about a day.

But I couldn't stop one in seconds (didn't know it was possible

since demerol didn't even stop one completely) until I placed a

heating pad over those two spot that so frequently hurt.

 

My headaches on the right were always worse than the ones on the

left, and the ones on the right always progressed more quickly than

the ones on the left to full-blown migraines with nausea,

sensitivity to light, etc. That was where 5 Element Theory came in

so handy. The heating pad over Bl-23 reduced the pain considerably,

but it couldn't stop the nausea and some other things once they

started. Choosing the correct 5 Element Points could. Regular

massage of the critical points - BTPs and Element - also reduced my

tendency to headaches. Days, weeks, and then months began to go by

without one threatening.

 

Another property of the Back Transporting Points is they can " affect

the sense organ of corresponding organ. " (Maciocia, p. 349.) The

example he gives is how Bl-18 - the BTP of the Liver - often is used

for eye diseases. One thing I discovered when my health improved to

the point that I could again do things like painting was that my

sense of balance was better than I could remember it ever being in

my life. The BTP that helped me the most was Bl-23 - the BTP for the

Kidneys. The sensory organ associated with the Kidneys is the ears.

I didn't know about this or the connection to sense organs at the

time. I was just delighted that I now had a better sense of balance

than I had had before. It was a very noticable difference when one

is climbing up and down ladders.

 

Those severe headaches were triggered by Wind Cold invasion. When

a " Pernicious Evil " invades from the environment, the first two

meridians invaded are the Bladder and Small Intestine channels. When

the headaches progressed to nausea and some other symptoms, the Wind

Cold had pentrated deeper and into other meridians. My main Interior

problem turned out to be Kidney Deficiency. This really surprised me

when I saws a TCM herbalist because from a Western, anatomical

standpoint, my kidneys appeared to be one of the healthiest things

about me. But by TCM standards, Kidney imbalance was a strong

standout among multiple problems. I answered " yes " to just about

every question that indicated possible problems in the Kidneys,

including the ones about a history of ear and hearing problems.

 

Quite a few things are possible with TCM that are not possible with

allopathic medicine, and vice versa. Sometimes TCM works best,

sometimes allopathic medicine works best, sometimes some other

method of healing works best, and sometimes a combination works

back. This was one of those cases where TCM worked best.

 

Having had this problem also impressed upon me that even though

Exterior (head, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, skin, muscles,

meridians, bones) problems are not as serious as Interior (Organs)

problems, and Exterior problems are easier to treat than Interior

problems, this doesn't mean that Exterior problems can't be

extremely painful and even debilitating.

[Guest guest]

victoria_dragon wrote:

 

But by TCM standards, Kidney imbalance was a strong

standout among multiple problems. I answered " yes " to just about

every question that indicated possible problems in the Kidneys,

including the ones about a history of ear and hearing problems.

 

Did your hearing loss improve as well. I understand TCM can treat

Minniere's(sp?) Disease which is a type of nerve deafness. Can it treat

other types of hearing loss. I actually have nerve deafness in both

ears. The right ear is far worse and I have to use the left for

telephone conversations.

 

Zen

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , Zenisis <findme@z...> wrote:

 

> Did your hearing loss improve as well. I understand TCM can treat

> Minniere's(sp?) Disease which is a type of nerve deafness. Can it

treat

> other types of hearing loss. I actually have nerve deafness in both

> ears. The right ear is far worse and I have to use the left for

> telephone conversations.

 

In my case, I was hearing impaired as a child. As a result, I

couldn't speak properly. The doctors described it as having a language

of my own. I also had a lot of really bad earaches. No one knew I was

hearing impaired I was 8, and the problem got bad enough that someone

realized I couldn't hear well. (Children weren't routinely tested

back then.)

 

The problem was caused by my tonsils and adenoids growing up my

euthasian tubes. The tonsils and adenoids were removed, the euthasian

tubes scraped, and I had speech lessons. I also didn't get as many

earaches and ear infections as I once had.

 

This is an example of the pitfall of treating a symptom without

identifying and treating the underlying Root(s). There were other

things pointing to Kidney imbalance too, but no one back then in the

area of the country I'm from knew anything about TCM. For one thing,

I can remember hating the winter and having trouble warming up even

when I was a kid. For another thing, an allopathic doctor suspected

that I was hypothyroid when I was quite young. For some reason, my

family never had him do the test or treat it. (That finally was

diagnosed and treated when I was 10.) There were some kidney and

bladder problems before the age of 5, but I don't remember them. I'm

told they were afraid I was going to have to be catheterized.

 

In other words, even though a manifestation was taken care of with

surgery, underlying imbalances were ignored and continued to get worse

and manifest in other ways. By my teens I was starting to have

problems with weak and sore knees. Through the years I've noticed a

repeat pattern of thyroid problems, earaches, weight gain, bad

problems with cold, increased allergies and sensitivities, bout of

mono, and some other things roughly occuring together.

 

Sometimes hearing loss (and tinnitus) can be due to Blood Stasis.

Sometimes hearing problems are due to Liver imbalance. I believe there

may be some other things as well.

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " victoria_dragon "

<victoria_dragon> wrote:

>

> This is a post for list members who are new to TCM.

>

> Part of understanding TCM is to recognize how the TCM approach to

> healing differs from the way healing is approached in most Western

„« countries.

 

Victoria was in very good form when she wrote this - reffered above

posting ¡V very well stated!

 

The foundation of most Eastern systems of thought is the Yin/Yang

(In India many call this (Siva/Shakti)- and from the Yin/Yang the

theory of the Five Elements (in Sanskrit - Mahabhuta) - this system

eassily and precisely describes and explains every phenomenon in

creation - this is the correct system to follow for understanding

events and experiences. Many profound systems for understanding

reality have evolved from this - and it is the foundation of the

correct form of there are traditional systems that do not use

this system. In my opinion one of the best introductory works for

understanding the Five Elements as they relate to the human

experience is -

'Between Heaven and Earth' - Harriet Beinfield and Efram Korngold

This book is beautifully written and easy to understand yet it gives

an in depth understanding of the foundations of Five Element. These

are two wonderful and gifted teachers who have a very clear

understanding of their subject. A must for those just getting

started. They go into depth on many subjects we have recently been

discussing here - but their approach is exactly the one needed to

begin to 'think' in TCM terms. Although this is a good book for

beginners book do not think it is simplistic - there is much to

think about in that book as Harriet is a profound thinker and

understands natural law as well as almost any of the modern western

writers. Her emphasis on the psychological and emotional reflections

of the Organs and Elements is very useful for many western people -

since they think in those terms.

 

I am often asked what are my general strategies for approaching any

case ¡V are there general guidelines?

Most professionals on this list have studied therapeutic strategies ¡V

but my approach is the same regardless of the presenting symptoms

or the ¡¥syndromes¡¦ that might be observed. My approach is based on

my early Ayurvedic and Naturopathic training as well as TCM.

Actually I do not think in TCM terms when analyzing the case - ¡V

neither do I think in Ayurvedic terms. I look at the body basically

the way my father a non-medicine Naturopath does. I always observe

the Energetics, which is always informed by both my Ayurvedic and

TCM training as well as my Allopathic training. Many might think

this is confusing ¡V but actually slightly shifting the attention

from one perspective to the other often clarifies issues more

precisely. Also for the MD¡¦s out there I recommend testing for all

suspected problems ¡V as this gives an even more in depth picture. My

prejudice is that general blood, kidney, liver, and hormonal

functions should be investigated for the sake of building a

comprehensive picture of the case. This of course is unnecessary ¡V

just as knowing the TCM theory of the body¡¦s energetics or the

Ayurvedic exposition of the Doshas is unnecessary to understand a

case. If we start with basic understandings of human functioning we

can pretty well diagnose through the symptoms and signs.

 

Three anecdotes ¡V Years ago there was a famous Swami who had an

Ashram in Gujarat state India ¡V he was renown for his service to the

community because he held a free Ayurvedic clinic daily at his

Ashram. Because of being a celibate monk and the traditions of his

Guru, he was not able to meet the female patients directly so there

was a tradition that the female patients sat along the walls in the

courtyard ¡V at a certain time Swami walked through the courtyard and

without looking directly at the patients he would dictate notes to

his assistant about the diagnosis and the therapies Swami

recommended for each lady. He also had a coding system that he used

to note his prognosis of the case so that the patients would not be

harmed by any negative speculative observations. My father said that

Swami told him that subtle perception can easily see the condition

of disease or health in an individual. He said all people with clear

senses are fully aware of everything in their environment ¡V a person

trained in medicine can easily understand the basics of the human

condition and what are the many categories of pathology that

manifest and what are their causes and cures.

 

Another ¡V there was an old style TCM practitioner in LA that could

diagnose any case by sight and smell ¡V he had the habit of smelling

the breath, ear canal, underarm, and hair of the patient without

taking the pulses as he felt the information in the odors of the

body gave just as precise information as the pulses. He rarely asked

questions of the English speaking patients as he spoke no English

(his daughter was there to help but he rarely cared to ask questions

because everything was clear to him visually and olfactory). He was

a brilliant diagnostician.

 

Another ¡V The physician to the Delai Lama ¡V is a famous

diagnostician ¡V one of his specialties is diagnosis from the urine.

Anyone can bring a sample of the patient¡¦s urine and he can diagnose

the case without ever seeing the patient.

 

There are many ways of understanding what is happening in a person¡¦s

body ¡V it simply takes a clear vision and then everything is easy.

 

I myself can easily see pathology in everyone I meet. It is a matter

of ¡¥seeing¡¦ the person as they are without confusion from book

learning or personal prejudice coming in to confuse the issues. Let

the patient themselves reveal everything. Having said that I can see

pathology ¡V still I often get several layers of confirmation ¡V

through reported symptoms, pulse, and laboratory tests (if I feel it

is necessary).

 

My approach is always the same ¡V

 

What are the acute symptoms?

Is the person sleeping well?

What is the status of the Stomach ¡V and general digestion?

What is the condition of the ¡¥center¡¦ ¡V the health of the Spleen and

Liver and how are the Spleen and Liver balanced with each other.

Does the Liver need coursing (most people need some clearing of

stagnation in the Liver) ¡V remember the hallmark of a healthy Liver

is ¡¥free flowing¡¦.

Which leads to the bowels - how are their functions?

Next is Kidneys ¡V how is the Jing? How are the yin functions of the

kidneys? Yin should be supported in most everyone.

When digestive stability is relatively achieved and the Center is

relatively harmonized ¡V then the bowels and kidneys will be greatly

supported and this will automatically improve the quality and

functions of the blood ¡V of course supporting all of these functions

with herbs will allow the body to slowly start functioning in a more

normal manner and the many functions of the other organ systems and

the harmonious functioning of the organ systems with each other will

begin to improve.

If there is yin deficiency (almost always is in ill people) then

begin this support from the beginning.

After relative stability is achieved then cautiously and with full

support begin a tonic program ¡V slowly increasing the Qi and Yang.

This increased Yang functioning will create a rapid energizing of

the whole system ¡V improving immune functions, mental clarity etc.

Once this state of relative stability has been achieved then the

patient will clearly see the benefits ¡V and health improvement can

proceed as rapidly as the Yin will support. Remember one must never

challenge the body with Qi/Yang until the Yin is stabilized. Small

amounts of mild Qi and Yang building substances can be given from

the beginning ¡V if they are accepted. Continue to increase the Yang

to the extent possible. Sometimes it takes a year or two to get the

Liver and Spleen functioning properly but once this is achieved I

have seen recovery from serious disease states (assuming the patient

is doing everything possible to correct their errors in lifestyle) ¡V

even in very weak and or elderly people once the Yin functions are

stabilized because then the body was able to support the Yang

necessary to reactivate the normal healing functions of the body

(one reason why people have difficulty recovering health is that the

hormonal and immune functions are not sufficiently strong to perform

the healing functions ¡V some more Yin and some Qi is needed. But

without sufficient Yin the body will not feel well on extra Qi, as

it will be an added stressor.

Through all of these stages the personal and idiosyncratic symptoms

should be treated as they arise.

 

Never forget the sequence of how the energy flows through the organs

(the Parent/Child relationships) ¡V this becomes important when it is

difficult to directly approach a particular issue.

 

First we must treat any acute (as opposed to chronic) symptoms ¡V

often a person with severe imbalances comes to the doctor for

something that they think is small ¡V like a cold ¡V or some vague

aches and pains ¡V but the doctor sees that behind this is an under

lying cause that often is much more serious than these symptoms

indicate. After acute symptoms we must start on the chronic

conditions ¡V and this must always start at the Stomach/Spleen ¡V

digestion must be improved otherwise it is very difficult to treat

the Blood and Kidney issues ¡V at the same time the Liver must be

carefully analyzed and treated ¡V working at the ¡¥center¡¦ will

improve digestion ¡V separating and rising the Qi - and just as

importantly descending the turbid ¡V harmonizing the Spleen and Liver

functions will automatically help with the Kidney and Blood

functions ¡V this process should be encouraged with herbs or other

Kidney and Blood building strategies ¡V the Kidney Yin must be

supported from the beginning as everyone needs Yin support ¡V after

the Yin is stabilized and the digestion is improved many levels of

functioning correct themselves ¡V rising of the clear and

stabilization of the Liver/ Heart axis will improve mental

functioning and improve will power ¡V this is a crucial step since

when this is achieved the person may become clear enough to

understand what has happened to them and what have been the causes

and the potential ¡¥cures¡¦.

 

Each person is an individual and the reversal of the disease process

will follow a different path for each. It is simply a matter of

dealing with every new pattern as it arises. This takes mainly

patience on the part of the healer and the patient ¡V unfortunately

many ill people want instant cures and this becomes an obstacle to

recovery, as they will constantly move around ¡V trying to find that

magical cure. Healing from disease is not magic it is slow plodding

work ¡V allowing the body the correct environment for healing itself.

Surprisingly one often sees rapid progress in those with strong

Primordial Qi ¡V one 30 year old case of CFS (mainly confined to her

home for 15 years) I recently met recovered full functioning and

went to work on a high powered government job in Mexico ¡V after only

18 months of treatment. Progress is of course individual ¡V and the

more the patient can follow the doctors advise on diet and other

lifestyle issues the more chance they will have for a complete cure ¡V

as opposed to a simple relief of symptoms.

 

Please keep in mind that the healing process is not necessarily a

straight road ¡V I often say ¡¥it is two steps forward and one step

back¡¦ ¡V this is natural since the adjustments the body is having to

make are complicated ¡V herbs are very helpful in this step back

phase ¡V they can support the body as it goes through healing

stresses.

 

In my case I try to look afresh at each case each time I meet them ¡V

I evaluate the current state as if I had never seen the patient

before ¡V then I review my notes on past meetings. This helps to keep

my attention on the actual facts of the case as opposed to my

theories about disease and healing processes. I want to know the

western diagnosis and as I said I take tests for confirmations ¡V but

I ¡¥never¡¦ look at a person as a particular western diagnosis ¡V

because as was mentioned every case will present with greater or

lesser variations. These variations are essential to understanding

the individual challenges and treatment strategies.

Big subject ¡V perhaps I will go further at another time.