WATER ELEMENT IN FIVE ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE

Water Element in Five Element Acupuncture

Water Element in Five Element Acupuncture

Introduction

The Water element corresponds to the Winter season and to the Kidney and Bladder meridians and organs. The Kidneys hold life energy (Jing) a person obtains through inheritance from the parents. The amount varies from person to person, and is vital to being alive. A little bit is combined with energy (qi) obtained through breathing air and eating foods and drinks to maintain the body and provide energy for activities of life. When Jing is used up, the person dies. Lifestyle choices affect this, so a person who is always “running on empty” is depleting the life force.

Water Element in Five Element Acupuncture

In winter, the body recharges itself through action of the Kidneys by slowing down, resting, and gathering strength for the Spring and new growth. We refill our reserves and take to time look deep within ourselves. We want to go to sleep early and wake late, to eat nourishing foods such as soups and stews, and plan and wait for the right time to begin new projects.

The Kidneys are the organ of Will, and assist us in doing what we must. Fear is the emotion of Water. When sufficient reserves are present, we feel appropriate caution. When reserves are decreased, fear of being without and of being unable to do what we want takes over. The sound of Groan in the voice is associated with the Kidneys. It is the sound we make when run down, exhausted, and “out of gas”, and don't have the energy to have a rising tone. The Water Element consists of two meridians: Bladder (or Urinary Bladder) and Kidney. Together they govern the storage and flow of fluids in the body and the power of growth and development. They are linked to the winter season, a period of quiescence when the body rebuilds its stores of energy ready for the emergence of spring. Reserves built up during the winter help to create good health for the coming year.

Bladder Meridan - the storer of fluids in the body - is the longest meridian starting at the inner eye and running over the top of the head, down the back either side of the spine and then down the leg, finishing at the little toenail. Anxiety, phobias and fear can be a symptom of imbalance. Kidney Meridian - the controller of flow of fluids in the body - is the yin organ of the pair that is responsible for the smooth distribution of fluids to every part of the being. Problems of edema or excessive/lack of sweating may indicate blockage in flow of the kidney channel.

In Chinese medicine, the kidneys and the bladder are the organ systems that represent the water element.

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