731 lines
26 KiB
XML
731 lines
26 KiB
XML
import Article from "@/components/Article";
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import { Metadata } from "next";
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import fiveElements from "@/public/content/acupuncture_elements.png";
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import { default as Image } from "next-image-export-optimizer";
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export const metadata: Metadata = {
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title: "Article - Five Element Acupuncture | Dr. Feely",
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authors: [{ name: "Richard A. Feely, D.O., FAAO, FCA, FAAMA" }],
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description: `Five element acupuncture has been part of Chinese medicine since
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the 10th century BC. The concepts first appeared in several books on
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philosophy such as Shu Ching and the Li Chi and the Guan Dzu. The first
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medical writings were found in 200 BC by the Nei Chin Su Wen. It was later
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discussed by Shu Nan Ching. Five element concepts are not only of medical
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theory but an integral aspect of all Chinese cosmetology and philosophy.`,
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};
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const ArticleFiveElementAcupuncture = () => {
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return (
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<Article
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title="Five Element Acupuncture"
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author="Richard A. Feely, D.O., FAAO, FCA, FAAMA"
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>
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<p>
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Five element acupuncture has been part of Chinese medicine since the
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10th century BC. The concepts first appeared in several books on
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philosophy such as Shu Ching and the Li Chi and the Guan Dzu. The first
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medical writings were found in 200 BC by the Nei Chin Su Wen. It was
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later discussed by Shu Nan Ching. Five element concepts are not only of
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medical theory but an integral aspect of all Chinese cosmetology and
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philosophy.
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</p>
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<p>
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The five element system divides the healing experience into five
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distinct groupings called elements. The five elements include wood,
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which relates to the liver and gall bladder; fire, which relates to the
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heart, small intestine, triple heater, and master of the
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heart/pericardium; earth, which relates to the spleen and stomach; metal
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which relates to the lung and colon; water, which relates to the kidney
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and bladder.
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</p>
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<p>
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The levels of function range from biochemical processes to the function
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of the organism as a whole. This includes behavior, psychological state,
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relationships, career choices, and the like. The diagnosis of the five
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elements in a clinical setting is done through the use of a system of
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correspondences. Each element has a series of correspondence involving
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the macrocosm, the season, the time of day, the climatic condition, the
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microcosm, the taste in food, the emotional state, their color, body
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odor, body orifice, sense organ, body tissue, and the corresponding
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organ system.
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</p>
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<p>
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The Nei Chin Su Wen describes the macro to microcosm of the wood element
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as such:
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</p>
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<p>
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<em>
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The east creates the wind, the wind creates the wood, the wood creates
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the sour flavor, the sour flavor strengthens the liver, the liver
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nourishes the muscles, the liver governs the eyes, they eyes see the
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darkness and the mystery of heaven and they discover the tao, the
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right way among mankind.
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</em>
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</p>
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<h2>Section A | Correspondences</h2>
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<p>
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Each element has associated pathological conditions. These pathological
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conditions can reflect a dysfunction in a specific element but they do
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not identify the acupuncture diagnosis necessarily.
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</p>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<strong>Wood</strong> has the following diagnostic symptoms and
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pathology: headaches, migraines, conjunctivitis, myofascial pain,
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ligament injuries, sexual dysfunction, paraplegia, gall bladder
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disease, liver disease, fatigue, insomnia, hypoglycemia
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Fire </strong>has the following diagnostic symptoms and
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pathology: insomnia, hearing problems, Belle's Palsy, trigeminal
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neuralgia, cerebral vascular accidents, anemias, fatigue, sexual
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dysfunction.
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Earth</strong> has the following diagnostic symptoms and
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pathology: gynecological disease and dysfunction, headaches, irritable
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bowel syndrome, gastritis, sinusitis, eating disorders.
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Metal</strong> has the following diagnostic symptoms and
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pathology: asthma, colitis, allergic rhinitis, and eczema.
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Water</strong> as the following diagnostic symptoms and
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pathology: hypertension, gastritis, hearing disorders, spinal
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disorders, cystitis and low back disorders.
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</li>
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</ul>
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<p>
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Further correspondences with five elements include the emotional state,
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which is of great clinical usefulness when assessing the elements.
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</p>
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<p>The abnormal emotional aspects are as follows:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<strong>Wood </strong>is frustration, anxiety, and anger
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Fire</strong> is the lack of or excessive joy
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Earth</strong> is the excessive need for sympathy, excessive
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introspection, and obsessional thinking
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Metal </strong>is grief, sadness, and melancholia
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</li>
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<li>
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<strong>Water</strong> is fear
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</li>
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</ul>
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<div className="flex justify-center">
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<Image
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src={fiveElements}
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alt="Diagram of the five elements of acupuncture"
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/>
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</div>
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<h2>Section B | Fire</h2>
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<p>
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Within each element there are officials. Officials are described as
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defined not by physical properties but by specific roles in the
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processing, storage, and distribution of vital energy and therefore the
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maintenance of life.
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</p>
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<p>
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In the fire element the organ/official the heart is the supreme
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controller. The fire element the organ/official the small intestine is
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the official and controller of transforming matter, separating the pure
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from the unpure. The fire element the organ/official the pericardium is
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the heart protector and circulation sex official. In fire element the
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organ/official the triple heater is the official of balance and harmony.
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Organs: </strong>Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium, Triple
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Heater
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical: </strong>Heart and cardiovacular function, autonomic
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nervous system, digestisve function, peripheral circulation
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Psychological: </strong>Sorting and separating, boundaries,
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self-expression, joy and happiness, love, warmth, relationships,
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affection, sexuality, excitement, animation, enthusiasm, activity and
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passion
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical Pathology: </strong>Cardiac disease, circulatory
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disease, arrhythmias, irritable bowel syndrome, small bowel disease,
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insomnia, environmental illness, dysatonomias, fatigue, neck and upper
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back pain
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Psychological Pathology: </strong>Relationship difficulties,
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self-protective but wants intimacy, depression and absence of joy,
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dysphoria, unhappiness, anxiety, insomnia, doubt and hesitation,
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confusion and
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</p>
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<table>
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<tbody>
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<tr>
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<td>Color</td>
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<td>Red</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Sound</td>
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<td>Laughter</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Smell</td>
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<td>Scorched</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Emotion</td>
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<td>Joy/Lack of Joy</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Officials</td>
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<td>Heart, Pericardium, S. Intestine, 3 Heaters</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Season</td>
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<td>Summer</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Climate</td>
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<td>Heat</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Directions</td>
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<td>south</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Sense</td>
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<td>Tonge</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Fortifies</td>
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<td>Arteries</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Opening</td>
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<td>Ears</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Manifests</td>
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<td>Complexion</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Taste</td>
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<td>Bitter</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Time</td>
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<td>11 am – 3 pm; 7 pm – 11 pm</td>
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</tr>
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</tbody>
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</table>
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<h2>Section C | Water</h2>
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<p>
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In the water element, the organ official bladder is the controller and
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storage of water and the water element the kidney organ official is the
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controller of water.
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Organs</strong>: Kidney, Bladder
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical</strong>: Bones, teeth, all secretions, endocrine
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system, brain, urinary tract, kidneys, hearing, head hair, DNA,
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procreation
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Psychological</strong>: Reserves and resources, trust and faith,
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ability to overcome, will power, self-actualization, intelligence and
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cleverness, capacities, self-preservation, power, survival and
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persistence, setting limits, taking risks
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical Pathology</strong>: All urinary tract disorders,
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interstitial cystitis, adrenal insufficiency, all pituitary disorders,
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osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, aging, lumbar and cervical spine,
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most back pain syndromes, hypertension, fatigue, constitutional
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weakness, poor libido
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Psychological Pathology</strong>: Mistrust, fear, paranoia,
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overwhelmed, surrenders, lack of faith, lack of reserves, poor flow and
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movement, withdraws and isolates, needs reassurance
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Water Element Correspondences</strong>
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</p>
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<table>
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<tbody>
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<tr>
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<td>Color</td>
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<td>Blue</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Sound</td>
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<td>Groaning</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Smell</td>
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<td>Putrid</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Emotion</td>
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<td>Fear</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Officials</td>
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<td>Kidneys, Bladder</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Season</td>
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<td>Winter</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Climate</td>
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<td>Cold</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Directions</td>
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<td>North</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Sense</td>
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<td>Ears</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Fortifies</td>
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<td>Bones</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Opening</td>
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<td>Anus, Urethra</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Manifests</td>
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<td>Head Hair</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Taste</td>
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<td>Salty</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Time</td>
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<td>3 pm – 7 pm</td>
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</tr>
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</tbody>
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</table>
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<h2>Section D | Wood</h2>
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<p>
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In the wood element the organ/official the gall bladder is the official
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of decision-making and wise judgment. In the wood element the
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organ/official the liver is the controller of planning.
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Organs: </strong>Gall Bladder, Liver
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical: </strong>Muscles and tendons, eyes and visual system,
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biliary tract
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Psychological: </strong>Planning, organization, decisions,
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direction, coordination, transformation and change, emotional
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expression, flexibility
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical Pathology: </strong>Migraine, headaches, fibromyalgia,
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musculoskeletal problems, PMS, biliary disease, digestive disorders, eye
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diseases
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Psychological Pathology: </strong>Anger, anxiety, insomnia,
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indecision and paralysis, drug abuse, need for control, frustration,
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needs to challenge
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Wood Element Correspondences</strong>
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</p>
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<table>
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<tbody>
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<tr>
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<td>Color</td>
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<td>Green</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Sound</td>
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<td>Shouting</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Smell</td>
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<td>Rancid</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Emotion</td>
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<td>Anger</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Officials</td>
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<td>Liver, Gall Bladder</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Season</td>
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<td>Spring</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Climate</td>
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<td>Windy</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Directions</td>
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<td>East</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Sense</td>
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<td>Eyes</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Fortifies</td>
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<td>Nails</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Opening</td>
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<td>Eyes</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Manifests</td>
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<td>Nails</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Taste</td>
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<td>Sour</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Time</td>
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<td>11 pm – 3 am</td>
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</tr>
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</tbody>
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</table>
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<h2>Section E | Metal</h2>
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<p>
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In the metal element the organ/official the lung is the controller of
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receiving pure chi from the heavens. In the metal element the
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organ/official the colon is the controller of drainage and drags.
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Organs: </strong>Lungs, Large Intestine
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical: </strong>Skin, nose, resistance to infections,
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perspiration, circadian rhythms
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Psychological: </strong>Resilience, strength, endurance,
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self-worth, capacity to grieve, elimination and letting go, inspiration,
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values, spirituality, father, meaningfulness, purpose
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical Pathology: </strong>Asthma, bronchitis, recurrent
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respiratory infections, all lung disorders, rhinitis, ulcerativve
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colitis, diarrhea, constipation, eczema and all skin disorders, poor
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endurance and fatigue
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Psychological Pathology: </strong>Perfectionist, withdrawn and
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cut off, needs companionship, cruel, wants revenge, lacks inspiration,
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regrets, rigid, grief, depression, inflexible
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Metal Element Correspondences</strong>
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</p>
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<table>
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<tbody>
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<tr>
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<td>Color</td>
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<td>White</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Sound</td>
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<td>Weeping</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Smell</td>
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<td>Rotten</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Emotion</td>
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<td>Greif</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Officials</td>
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<td>Lungs, Large Intestine</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Season</td>
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<td>Autumn</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Climate</td>
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<td>Dryness</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Directions</td>
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<td>West</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Sense</td>
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<td>Nose</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Fortifies</td>
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<td>Skin</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Opening</td>
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<td>Nose</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Manifests</td>
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<td>Body Hair</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Taste</td>
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<td>Pungent, Acrid</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Time</td>
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<td>3 am – 7 am</td>
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</tr>
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</tbody>
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</table>
|
|
<h2>Section F | Earth</h2>
|
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<p>
|
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In the earth element the organ/offical the stomach is the controller of
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rottening and ripening. The earth element organ/official the spleen is
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the controller of transport.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
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<strong>Organs: </strong>Spleen, Stomach
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</p>
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<p>
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<strong>Physical: </strong>Upper digestive tract, blood formation,
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immune system, metabolism of food, gynecological function, fertility,
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mouth, sinuses, subcutaneous tissue
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</p>
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|
<p>
|
|
<strong>Psychological: </strong>Nourishment, contentment, stability,
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security, mothering, centerdness, fulfillment, groundedness, empathy and
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caring
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|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
<strong>Physical Pathology: </strong>Sinusitis, frontal headaches, all
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|
gynecological problems, infertility, fluid retention, fatigue, diabetes,
|
|
hypoglycemia, ulcer disease, functional dyspepsia, malabsorption,
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obesity, malnourished
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
<strong>Psychological Pathology: </strong>Eating disorders, selfishness,
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|
obsessive compulsive disorders, opinionated, stubborn, insecure, craves
|
|
attention and understanding, excessive worry, feels deprived
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
<strong>Earth Element Correspondences</strong>
|
|
</p>
|
|
<table>
|
|
<tbody>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Color</td>
|
|
<td>Yellow</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Sound</td>
|
|
<td>Singing</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Smell</td>
|
|
<td>Fragrant</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Emotion</td>
|
|
<td>Sympathy</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Officials</td>
|
|
<td>Spleen, Stomach</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Season</td>
|
|
<td>Late Summer</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Climate</td>
|
|
<td>Humidity</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Directions</td>
|
|
<td>Center</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Sense</td>
|
|
<td>Mouth</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Fortifies</td>
|
|
<td>Flesh</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Opening</td>
|
|
<td>Mouth</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Manifests</td>
|
|
<td>Lips</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Taste</td>
|
|
<td>Sweet</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td>Time</td>
|
|
<td>7 am – 11 am</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
</tbody>
|
|
</table>
|
|
<h2>Section G | Example</h2>
|
|
<p>
|
|
For example, the gall bladder is responsible for what is exact and just
|
|
and the determinations and decisions stem from that whereas the liver
|
|
holds the office of general assessing circumstances and conceptions of
|
|
plans. If these officials are poorly functioning the effect may be
|
|
indecisiveness, lack of initiative, anger, and frustration or
|
|
hypochondriasis. The ability to make appropriate plans is affected and
|
|
disturbance in the blueprint for functioning on the cellular level such
|
|
as diabetes on a global level such as drug addiction might be the
|
|
outcome. According to the Nei Ching the wood element provides the
|
|
ability to discover the tao, the right way. This allows the person to
|
|
have healthy decision-making, planning, and a balance in
|
|
well-coordinated lifestyle. The wood element is associated with new
|
|
ideas, the spring, the new growth, and the sense of renewal that goes
|
|
with that season. The emotion associated with wood is anger, which is
|
|
generated by the frustration of being blocked in setting out on these
|
|
new paths.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The <em>Nei Ching </em>states of wood, “colors they create that bring
|
|
color, and they give to the human voice the ability to form a shouting
|
|
sound, in times of excitement they grant the capacity for control, and
|
|
of the emotions they create anger.”
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
In five element acupuncture, illness occurs when the officials are
|
|
unable to overcome either internal, such as excessive emotions, or
|
|
external, such as injuries, surgery, climatic conditions, or inherited
|
|
perverse energies. What appears to a physician at the onset of a present
|
|
illness is often a combination of a long sequence of energetic
|
|
disturbances in the officials of the elements.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
A five element acupuncture physician in the physical examination focuses
|
|
on the correspondences available to the patient, facial color, the sound
|
|
of the voice, emotions expressed, the odor of the torso, and the general
|
|
presentation of the person. Importance is made in the traditional pulse
|
|
diagnosis with the emphasis on the individualization of the twelve
|
|
officials. The history is thorough and complete and emphasizes
|
|
chronological events. The goal of the evaluation is to determine the
|
|
official which is the causative factor, that aspect of the energetic
|
|
system which is at the root of the imbalance overall for the patient.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The causative factors are either inherited or an acquired condition. If
|
|
acquired it is often the result of childhood experiences that created
|
|
disequilibrium. Traumas from the physical, emotional, infectious, and
|
|
climatic nature will then bring on the causative factor or pathological
|
|
state with the symptoms occurring then.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<h2>Section H | 5-Element Laws</h2>
|
|
<p>
|
|
There are several laws in acupuncture that determines what the
|
|
configuration of what the patient's symptoms may be. These laws include
|
|
the law of creating that is the shen cycle, the loq of control that is
|
|
the KO cycle, midday and midnight cycle, and mother-child cycle.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The shen cycle is best understood in the macrocosmic images of the five
|
|
elements. The wood produces plants and trees that is wood, wood brings
|
|
forth fiver, fire produces ashes that is soil (earht), soil brings forth
|
|
metal, when heated metal produces steam that is water.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The controlling cycle, KO cycle, is illustrated as follows: water
|
|
overcomes fire, fire melts the metal, metal in the form of a knife
|
|
overcomes wood, wood as in the form of a spade overcomes soil (earth),
|
|
soil in the form of a dike subdues the water.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
In illness, for example, of the wood an imbalance of this element would
|
|
cause symptoms to be seen in the wood in the fire through the shen cycle
|
|
or in the earth through the KO cycle.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The outer arrows represent the movement of the shen cycle. The inner
|
|
arrows represent the movement of the KO cycle.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<h2>Section I | Conclusion</h2>
|
|
<p>
|
|
J. R. Worsley, an English professor of acupuncture, a leading exponent
|
|
of five element acupuncture came up with the concept that is important
|
|
in today's medical practice that is the level of illness. The levels
|
|
reflect the depth of the illness within the person physical, mental, or
|
|
spiritual.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
In our society today there are many people with chronic illnesses on
|
|
what could be called a spiritual level. These patients appear unwilling
|
|
to change, seem empty of purpose or commitment, and create a deep drain
|
|
on the physicians and the medical system. Patients with mental level
|
|
illness are constantly trying to figure out their problems and often are
|
|
obsessed with the needs to understand what is happening. A physical
|
|
level illness actually represents the smallest percentage of the
|
|
patients seen in today's modern medical practice.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Once the causative factors are established, the level of illness is
|
|
understood, the laws of acupuncture are fully comprehended then
|
|
treatment will proceed in a very effective manner.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
For example, in a case of a wood element for what might be expected to
|
|
be improved is judgment, healthier decision making, less hostility, less
|
|
need for control, clearer vision of future needs. From these changes a
|
|
myriad of physiological and psychological pathologies can improve as the
|
|
wood element returns to normal functioning on all these levels.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
The improvement and function of one official of an element will lead to
|
|
a dramatic changes in the individuals overall well being. When the
|
|
twelve officials are all in a state of balance then one is well suited
|
|
to deal with the challenges of human control.
|
|
</p>
|
|
<p>
|
|
When a physician is dealing with a complex patient with a multifaceted
|
|
problem, it is a challenge to place the information in context that can
|
|
lead to effective treatment. It is in this aspect that the five element
|
|
acupuncture is most persuasive. The current ideas of spsycho-neural
|
|
immunology are seen within the five element concepts of causative factor
|
|
officials in level of illness. Both physical and emotional symptoms can
|
|
be placed within the diagnostic framework and the most significant of
|
|
all aspects of the five element approach is that it allows us to treat
|
|
the patient/person who has the disease as well as the symptoms
|
|
themselves.
|
|
</p>
|
|
</Article>
|
|
);
|
|
};
|
|
|
|
export default ArticleFiveElementAcupuncture;
|