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Treating An Earth "Causative Factor" Patient Using Classical Five-Element Acupuncture Classical Five Element as taught by Prof. J. R. Worsley is thought to have has its base in ancient acupuncture theory from the period of around 200 BC. It was through this era that the idea of the Elements and their corresponding character types is first thought to have surfaced. Over the last 50 years Worsley has combined this with ideas from other schools of acupuncture to create what is now known today as Classical Five Element. Although sharing much with modern TCM it is also very different in theory and aim and encompasses more than the commonly taught Five Phase Theory. To understand this school of thought and the way a Five Element Acupuncturist views treatment there are certain protocols that are best explained first. Causative Factor or C.F. In Classical Five Element Acupuncture there is thought to be one main or root cause for most of a patients presenting symptoms. It is thought that through birth or early childhood that a constitutional weakness develops to the point where, through the law of Mother -Child it impedes the flow of energy around the Sheng or creative cycle. This weakness is one of the Five Elements, an element that is causing the presenting symptoms and stopping the growth of the person as a whole. This weakened element is known as the persons Causative Factor or C.F. As an example lets look at a patient who's C.F. is Metal. This means that Metal (the Mother) has been hit hardest in childhood. This can be either through environmental or emotional causes but eventually it will affect its ability to pass on energy to the Water Element (the child). The Water Element will now also be distressed and show symptoms as is struggles from the weakened preceding element. In time, following the Law of Mother / Child, this lack of flow continues around the cycle until all the Five Elements are struggling, the patient is in distress and arrives at the clinic with their list of symptoms. Instead of chasing this list of symptoms coming from the distressed Elements, the acupuncturist goes right for the heart of the problem, the C.F. In this case Metal. The acupuncturist knows once blocks are cleared, points chosen on the Metal Meridians will affect the whole Sheng cycle. The effect will flow on to the other 10 meridians from the strengthened Lung and Large Intestine. If the acupuncturist has diagnosed the right C.F. this same effect will show in the pulse picture. That is any Metal points treated will affect all of the twelve meridians. The skill for a C.F.E. Acupuncturist is through thorough questioning, listening and observing to ascertain which of the symptoms is primary and which are secondary. Which are coming from the Mother, which are coming from the Child. Which Element is the Causative Factor? This is primarily done through what is known as C.S.O.E. or Colour, Sound, Odour and Emotion. The Traditional Diagnosis is a one to two hour consultation where a thorough history of the patient is taken. Each of the Elements is tested, the person questioned, listened to and observed. Physical routines are noted; sleep, appetite, alcohol intake is all looked at as a part of an extensive list. The colour of their face, the sound of their voice, their odour is all observed. What colour comes up on their face through which questions? What is their body language telling you? How do they answer the questions? Which of the elements do they feel most at home in or do they respond to as you portray. In the T.D. everything is information, it is an opportunity to get a feel for the person as a whole The patients emotional and physical are equally important when ascertaining which Elements has been hit hardest. How they function in the world is important. What was their childhood like? Do they remember it? What is their ability to have relationships? How is their work history? What are the things they like about people, what are the things they don't? These all point to an elemental type. Parental style can point towards the C.F. Parents who over parent, enmesh or abandon can contribute to a Earth C.F. Parents who control the child's behavior with fear can contribute to a Water Causative Factor. A household where the child is not honored, their real being is not respected can indicate a Metal C.F. Parents who over control either with discipline or too much structure can produce a |