The Chinese developed the theory of the five elements more than 3,000 years ago. The theories of Yin/Yang and the five elements are two of the most important principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Theories evolved as the ancient Chinese observed the ever-changing dynamics of their natural environment. They observed that a similar dynamic existed between the natural world around them and the functioning of the body. This observation became the theory of the five elements.
The five elements are: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. All of these elements are related through a natural interaction cycle of nurturing and support. It is poetically said that the fire burned and created ash from the ground; that gave rise to mountains containing metal; that split giving way to the water; that gave food to the wood; that continuing the cycle lit the fire.
The five-element theory relates to the naturally occurring enhancing, restricting, and promoting interactions between these elements. Each element is represented by a distinctive set of characteristics such as color, emotion, direction, season, as well as the organs and tissues of the body, among many others. The properties and relationships that exist between elements and their corresponding organs are used to explore and demonstrate medical conditions. The five-element interaction relationship helps guide the traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) practitioner in the diagnosis and treatment of medical problems.
The Five Element Theory is also used to describe human and animal personalities or constitutional type. By identifying the constitution of the pet’s most dominant element, the TCVM practitioner can address potential imbalances that may occur with that type of constitution. Based on any detected imbalances in Qi or energy flow, the TCVM practitioner can select the appropriate acupuncture points to stimulate and help restore the body’s natural balance. These points can be stimulated with dry needling, electroacupuncture, aquatic acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion, and other techniques.
Examples of the five-element constitutions and disease predispositions are:
The constitution of wood
- Dominant behavior, enjoys being the first.
- Quick and fast movement
- Anxious
- athletic, competitive
- easy to change
- Alert, very sensitive to stimuli.
- Adapt to changes quickly
- slim body type
- large eyes
Predispositions to disease:
- Hypertension
- race
- allergy
- neurosis
- Depression
- eye problems
The constitution of fire
- high energy
- Easily excitable, extrovert
- enjoy physical contact
- Tends to be the center of the party
- Difficulty calming down
- Competent in the competition
- You like stimulating environments
- strong body
- small head
- beady eyes
Predispositions to disease:
- heart disease
- Concern
- race
- sudden death
- separation anxiety
The Constitution of the Earth
- nurturing, supporting
- Loyal
- easy going
- easily satisfied
- Slow response to stimuli.
- Guy
- rugged body shorts
- big head
- prominent musculature
Predispositions to disease:
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Edema
- Diarrhea
- Colic
- obesity
- Masses
The constitution of metal
- From distance
- good view
- Confident
- Leader
- Neat
- good self control
- Wide forehead
- broad chest
- good fur coat
disease predispositions
- Nasal congestion
- frequent colds
- Cough
- skin lesions
The Water Constitution
- Fearful
- Cautious
- introvert
- Calm
- Slow
- scary biter
- Medium size slim bodysuit
- large eyes
Predispositions to disease:
- back/hip pain
- Sterility
- Edema
- Depression
- Urinary infections
- Deafness/Tinnitus
The Chinese have used acupuncture therapy on both animals and humans for thousands of years. They identified 173 acupuncture points in animals. Modern research reveals that these acupuncture points are associated with areas of the body that contain a high density of free nerve endings, small arterioles, lymphatic vessels, and mast cells.
The goal of acupuncture therapy is to restore natural Qi, or energy flow, and allow balance to be restored. TCVM techniques of acupuncture, herbal therapy, food therapy, and Tui-na (a technique similar to Chinese therapeutic massage) are used in both the prevention and treatment of animal diseases. Only licensed veterinarians are eligible to practice acupuncture on animals. It is a very safe medical procedure that can be performed on a wide variety of animal species.
Dr. Carson received her DVM from the University of Florida and recently completed the acupuncture internship program at UF Veterinary Medical Center. She is certified in acupuncture techniques and tui-na TCVM by the Chi Institute. She currently operates an equine acupuncture practice in Orlando, Florida and also practices small animal integrative medicine in Orlando and Lake Mary, Florida. She can be reached at [email protected].
