The Chinese developed the five-element theory more than 3,000 years ago. The Yin / Yang Theories and the Five Elements are two of the most important principles in traditional Chinese medicine. Theories evolved as the ancient Chinese observed the ever-changing dynamics of their natural environment. They observed a similar dynamic between the natural world around them and the functioning of the body. This observation has become a five-element theory.
Five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. All these elements are connected through a naturally interacting cycle of education and support. It is poetically said that the fire burned and created earthy ashes; the cave rises into the mountains containing metal; who parted with water; which save food in the forest; who continued the cycle, lit the fire.
The five-element theory is associated with strengthening, inhibiting and stimulating interactions that naturally occur between these elements. Each element is represented by a variety of characteristics, such as color, emotion, direction, season, as well as organs and tissues of the body, among many others. The properties and relationships that exist between the elements and their respective organs are used to study and demonstrate medical conditions. The interaction with the five elements of the interaction helps the head of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) in the diagnosis and treatment of medical problems.
The five-element theory is also used to describe the personalities of people and animals, or of a constitutional type. By identifying the constitution of the most dominant element of the pet, the TCVM practitioner can eliminate possible imbalances that may arise with this constitutional type. Based on any imbalances found in the flow of Qi or energy, the TCVM practitioner can choose the right acupuncture points to stimulate and help restore the body’s own natural balance. These points can be stimulated with a dry needle, electroacupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, laser acupuncture, cauterization and other methods.
Examples of the five constituent elements and predispositions to the disease are:
Constitution of a tree
- Dominant behavior, uses first
- Fast, fast moving
- impatient
- Athletic, competitive
- Slight anger
- Warning very sensitive to stimuli
- Adapters change quickly
- Slim body type
- Big eyes
Predisposition to diseases:
- high blood pressure
- Stroke
- allergy
- Neurosis
- depression
- Eye problems
Constitution of Fire
- High energy
- Easily excited, extraverted
- It has physical contact
- As a rule, the party center
- Hard to calm down
- Profession in competitions
- Loves the stimulating environment
- Strong body
- Small head
- Small, bright eyes
Predisposition to diseases:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- restlessness
- Stroke
- Sudden death
- Separation alarm
Earth's Constitution
- Education, support
- Right
- Easy going
- Easy satisfied
- Slow response to stimuli
- view
- Short strong body
- Big head
- Outstanding Musculature
Predisposition to diseases:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- dropsy
- diarrhea
- colic
- obesity
- masses
Metal constitution
- aloof
- Good vision
- Confident
- leader
- undiluted
- Good self control
- Broad forehead
- Big Chest
- Good wool
Susceptibility to disease
- Nasal congestion
- Frequent colds
- Cough
- Skin lesions
Water constitution
- funky
- careful
- introverted
- Quiet
- Slow
- Fear of fear
- Medium slim body
- Big eyes
Predisposition to diseases:
- Back / hip pain
- infertility
- dropsy
- depression
- Urinary infections
- Deafness / Tinnitus
The Chinese have used acupuncture therapy in both animals and humans for thousands of years. They identified 173 acupuncture points in animals. Modern studies show that these acupunctures are associated with areas of the body that contain a high density of free nerve endings, small arterioles, lymph nodes and mast cells.
The goal of acupuncture therapy is to restore the natural qi or energy flow and ensure the return of balance. TCVM acupuncture methods, herbal therapy, nutritional therapy and Tui-na (Chinese therapeutic massage technique) are used for both prevention and treatment of animal diseases. Only licensed veterinarians have the right to practice acupuncture for animals. This is a very safe medical procedure that can be performed on many different types of animals.
Dr. Carson received her DVM from the University of Florida and recently completed an internship program in acupuncture at the UF Veterinary Medical Center. The Institute is certified in both acupuncture and TUVM. She currently manages the practice of horse acupuncture in Orlando, Florida, and also practices small integrative animal medicine in Orlando and Lake Mary, Florida. You can contact her at bethufv@aol.com.
