According to Chinese philosophy, there are five elements which reflect the changing nature of human behavior and the world around us. These elements are; wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Everyone is naturally stronger in one of these elements and this is referred to as their constitutional type. An acupuncturist can determine what your constitutional type is,and use this to bring about mental and physical harmony.
The five elements are a more detailed part of the Yin and Yang philosophy. This is a belief that each person is governed by opposing, yet complimentary forces. These forces are opposites that combine to create a whole balanced person. When a person's constitution becomes imbalanced they are likely to suffer from illness.
Each element is associated with a certain color, smell, taste, sound and emotional behavior. An acupuncturist will try to read these signs to determine what element is your natural constitution. For example, a Fire element is likely to exhibit a red flush to their skin tone, be joyful, have a laughing voice, and may get a bitter taste in their mouth from time to time. Armed with this knowledge the acupuncturist can tailor their treatment to the channels that correspond to your element.
Unlike western medicine that seeks to treat the symptom, rather then the problem, this form of treatment can really get to the root of a problem. This is because each element is also tied to corresponding organs. For example, a person with a wood element is likely to experience problems with their liver or gall bladder.
An overview of each of the elements is provided below:
Wood
Wood elements tend to be assertive, organized and strong, but flexible. They have a loud voice, rancid odor, blue/green facial tinge and can experience a sour taste in their mouth. Their associated organs are the liver, gall bladder and soft tissue. Wood types benefit from keeping physically active and need to deal with anger as it surfaces, otherwise pent up anger is likely to come out in a damaging way. They need to plan well, but allow themselves room to move. A wood type that becomes too unbalanced will either become strongly dominant, or not able to assert themselves. Either of these traits can lower their feelings of self worth and lead to depression. You are likely to be a wood type if you seem to get riled up easily, don't like to be controlled by others, and feel strongly about correcting injustices.
Fire
Those with a well balanced fire element are social and happy creatures. They have a red skin tone, scorched odor, laughing voice and can suffer from a bitter taste. Fire people have a positive approach to life and tend to be passionate about things. Their associated organs are the heart, small intestine, pericardium and three heater. Fire types benefit from spending some time doing some quite and peaceful each day, having a close confidant and feeling the sun on their body. If you are imbalanced you may experience difficulty with maintaining close relationships. Because you have a tendency to try to laugh away problems you may find that pushed down feelings of unhappiness rise to the surface in a torrent of tears and emotion. A long term imbalance may lead to string of broken relationships. You may also worry over whether you are lovable, or experience moments where you feel very shy.
Earth
A well balanced earth is nurturing, emphatic and grounded. They often feel an affiliation to the environment which can be expressed as a love for gardening or the great outdoors. Their associated organs are the spleen and stomach. They like to settle down and build a close family or community. Their skin tends to have a yellow cast; they have a sing song voice, slightly fragrant odor and have the ability to feel great sympathy. If you are out of balance you may have difficulty feeling sympathy. Earth elements often have difficulty when their children leave home because they give all and then expect this is return. Adult children are not able to provide this, and often find them smothering. Earth types often have trouble balancing their own needs with the needs of others and tend to experience digestive difficulties. Earth elements benefit from good nutrition, doing things for themselves and spending time in nature.
Metal
Metal elements usually have a white face, have a fairly rotten odor, weeping voice, suffer from feelings of grief and can experience a pungent taste. Their associated organs are the lungs and large intestine. They are usually respected and admired by others because they tend to work hard to become the best. This is because they have a strong desire for recognition. Others can fall short of their perfectionist standards. When unbalanced they tend to rely on possessions like designer goods, or a high powered jobs to show that they are achieving. This will only temporarily make them feel satisfied. They can become distant and lonely, feel fragile and protect themselves by a building a wall against criticism. You are likely to be a metal element if you feel empty without knowing why, have a weaker voice, high standards and strive to be the best at whatever you do. Metal elements benefit from taking time out to breathe, enjoy the praise they receive, and appreciate others and the world around them.
Water
A healthy water element has a good risk assessment ability that allows them to be alert to danger. They have a blue/black facial color, monotone voice, a faintly putrid odor, salty taste, and may be either over cautious, or lacking in caution. Their associate organs are the bladder and kidneys. They don't like to rely on others and only tend to trust themselves. But they are very trustworthy, honest, and hate to let people down. They are the most determined element and like a challenge. Unbalanced water elements can become paralyzed with fear and too afraid to try anything new, or change. Or they may take unnecessary risks to prove that they aren't afraid. A water type often needs to assess every situation to see if they feel safe. They tend to suffer from dark under eye bags. They benefit from good quality sleep, having a confidant that they can discuss their fears with, and spending time around water.
Emotions are usually the highest indicator of a person's constitution and an imbalance. In this way an acupuncturist will look closely at person's emotions to identify what organs need treatment. If a person appears to be very afraid, they are likely to treat the bladder and kidney meridians.