
My Unique Approach: Integrating
TCM & Five-Element Acupuncture
I offer a unique treatment approach that integrates Five-Element (FE) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture. This holistic system enables me to address the root causes of your ailments, support you through life’s challenges, and promote emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
So, what exactly are Five-Element (FE) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Acupuncture
TCM acupuncture, as it is widely practiced today in China and around the world, was systematised in the latter half of the 20th century when Western medicine began to dominate in China. During this period, the Chinese government considered abolishing non-scientific medical practices. However, due to the historical significance, proven efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of traditional medicine, practices like acupuncture and herbal medicine were revived and medicalised. This allowed TCM to be recognised on par with Western medicine, though it now primarily focuses on the medical aspects of its classical roots, excluding the spiritual elements derived from shamanic practices.
In TCM, Qi—the vital energy that constitutes all living things—plays a central role. While Qi encompasses everything from the physical to the spiritual, TCM emphasises its tangible, physical aspects. The practice is analytical and symptom-focused, with diagnosis and treatment based on identifying patterns through physical examinations. These include pulse and tongue assessments, palpation, questioning, and observing the patient’s facial colour, body movements, and emotions. Treatment protocols are drawn from objective methods, ensuring a structured approach to healing.
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Five-Element (FE) Acupuncture
In contrast, Five-Element (FE) acupuncture prioritises the spiritual and psycho-emotional aspects of Qi, focusing primarily on treating the patient’s spirit. This method preserves the spiritual elements that TCM excluded, viewing all illnesses as rooted in the spirit.
Here’s a refined version of the text:
Developed in England by J.R. Worsley, European Five-Element (FE) acupuncture—also known as classical acupuncture—integrates various pre-TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) systems from China and other parts of Asia, such as Japan. This rare form of acupuncture is not commonly practiced in China or Asia today but is more prevalent in the UK and other Western countries, particularly for treating psychological and emotional issues.
FE acupuncture places a strong emphasis on emotional health and the patient’s inner life. The practitioner diagnoses and treats the most imbalanced element related to the patient’s emotions, known as the Constitutional Factor (CF). Unlike TCM, which relies on physical diagnosis, FE acupuncture focuses on observing the patient’s emotions, reactions, facial expressions, body language, and more to identify imbalances and tailor treatments accordingly.
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Acupuncture: A Holistic Energy Medicine
Acupuncture is fundamentally energy medicine. Since Qi encompasses all aspects of a person, practitioners do not distinguish between physical, emotional, or mental problems in their diagnoses. Treating a patient at the energetic level addresses all these dimensions simultaneously. However, the manifestation of symptoms can vary—sometimes more psychological, other times more physical, or both.
A practitioner skilled in both TCM and FE acupuncture can take a holistic approach, addressing immediate (and long-term) symptoms (as per TCM) while also treating deeper emotional or spiritual imbalances (as per FE). This integrated method allows the practitioner to relieve presenting discomfort while also uncovering and addressing underlying issues in subsequent treatments.
I hold deep respect for both TCM and FE acupuncture and am committed to continually refining my knowledge and practice of these systems. Each has its strengths and limitations, and by combining them, I can offer a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to treatment, addressing a broader range of issues with varying degrees of depth.