Different Styles of Traditional Acupuncture : Five Element Vs TCM

There are in fact many different styles of Acupuncture practiced around the world but for today I am just going  to concentrate on the two styles of traditional acupuncture that are most widely practiced in the USA and the UK.

Acupuncture is just one of the treatment modalities practiced under the banner of TCM, the other main ones being Chinese Herbal Medicine, Tui Na (massage therapy), cupping and dietary therapy. The roots of TCM stretch way back into ancient history and are steeped in the philosophy of Daoism. It stems from the belief that Human beings are very much a part of the natural world and are subject to the same laws and external forces as the rest of the natural world.  The understanding of the human body is based therefore, on a holistic understanding of the universe as described in Daoism. Although there is a vast body of tradition and knowledge, TCM as practiced today has become quite standardised. This is largely as a result of Chairman Mao’s 1950’s directive that TCM should be incorporated into the Health care system in China. The introduction of western medicine to China in 1911 had led to a decline in TCM but during the Long March of 1934-1935 Chairman Mao ‘s army was forced to rely on TCM and he was so impressed by its efficacy that he insisted that it should remain an important part of health care in China. As part of this integration, many of the more idiosyncratic elements of the tradition such as the concepts of ghosts and spirits were suppressed and a more standardised way of treating patients based upon specific observable “syndromes” is how TCM is practiced today.  So although TCM is rooted in thousands of years of knowledge and history, its standardisation means that the way it is currently practiced is not actually that traditional, hence the name is something of a Misnomer.

TCM diagnosis is based largely on the patients presenting signs and symptoms and also by studying the patients pulse on both wrists and an examination of the patients tongue. Accordingly the patient will be diagnosed as suffering from one or more (usually more!) syndromes and a specific treatment plan will be tailored to that patient

Five element Acupuncture is in some ways more traditional than TCM. It is based on the philosophy that there are five creative and controlling elements at play both in nature and in ourselves. The five elements are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. Each of these elements controls various aspects of our physical, emotional and spiritual selves. In some branches of five element acupuncture, patients are deemed to be constitutionally weak in one of the elements and treatment is then aimed at this particular element. In other branches of five element acupuncture, the practitioner will look to determine the overall state of each of the elements and aim the treatment at restoring the balance between all the elements.

Five element diagnosis is made following an in depth consultation in which the practitioner will question the patient about all aspects of their life with much less of an emphasis on specific symptoms. The practitioner will also look for other signs such as the colour of the patient’s skin, the tone of their voice, their odour and any signs of emotional imbalance.

To find out more about any of the elements have a look at these hubs

In my experience I find that TCM is better at dealing with physical illness whilst five element acupuncture is much better at dealing with emotional problems. I worked for several years in a psychiatric clinic and there, I used five element acupuncture almost exclusively where as in my private practice I tend to use TCM more often or a combination of both. Of course practitioners who practice one style will argue that their style treats all illnesses and they are almost certainly right – just better at it than me!