Chinese medicine focuses on the body and it’s alignment with the five energies or elements known as wood, earth, fire, water and metal. The organs of the body are all tied to a particular element. There characteristics help to establish which element thy are tied to. This element connection is important both internally and externally, for it is believed that a perfect balance of these elements within the body equals the highest level of health a person can achieve. An imbalance then leads to different ailments, pain and disease.

…The belief behind the five elements theory is that either when we are born or when we are very young we develop a weakness in one of our elements. As we grow this weakness has an impact on the other elements within our body. This base element, the weak element that we have had since we were children is seen as the root of our problems, it is the source of our imbalance…

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With the entire basis of your treatment being focused on the causative factor which is the element that you have a weakness in, you can see why it is important the correct area be identified. To help them determine where you really need the help the acupuncturist has to take the time to talk to you, listen to you and observe you. They have to be able to figure out what are your primary symptoms and what the secondary symptoms are and then what element do you have a born or early childhood weakness of.