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. The 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 cycle of natural nurturing and supportive interaction. It is poetically said that the fire burned and created earth ash; that it gave rise to mountains containing metal; that broke giving way to water; that gave food to the wood; that continuing the cycle lit the fire.
The five element theory relates to the naturally occurring enhancing, restraining, 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 the 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 elements theory is also used to describe human and animal personalities or constitutional type. By identifying the build of the pet’s most dominant element, the TCVM practitioner can address potential imbalances that can occur with that build type. Based on any detected imbalances in the flow of Qi or energy, 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, water acupuncture, laser acupuncture, moxibustion, and other techniques.
Examples of the five element constitutions and disease predispositions are:
the wooden constitution
- Dominant behavior, enjoys being first.
- fast and fast movement
- Anxious
- athletic, competitive
- easy to change
- Alert, very sensitive to stimuli.
- Adapts to changes quickly
- slim body type
- large eyes
Predispositions to the disease:
- Hypertension
- race
- allergy
- neurosis
- Depression
- eye problems
The constitution of fire
- high energy
- easily excitable, outgoing
- 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 the disease:
- cardiovascular disease
- Concern
- race
- sudden death
- separation anxiety
The Constitution of the Earth
- nurturing, supporting
- Loyal
- easy going
- easily satisfied
- Slow response to stimuli.
- Gentle
- tough body shorts
- big head
- prominent musculature
Predispositions to the 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
predispositions to disease
- Nasal congestion
- frequent colds
- Cough
- skin lesions
The Water Constitution
- Fearful
- Cautious
- introvert
- Don’t worry
- Slow
- scary biter
- Thin medium size bodysuit
- large eyes
Predispositions to the 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 on 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 the natural Qi, or flow of energy, and allow balance to return. TCVM techniques of acupuncture, herbal therapy, food therapy, and Tui-na (a technique similar to Chinese therapeutic massage) are used both in the prevention and treatment of animal diseases. Only licensed veterinarians are eligible to practice acupuncture on animals. It is a very safe medical procedure, which 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].
