Reflexology: The 5 Elements and their 12 Meridians: A Unique Approach. Inge Dougans

necessary to understand a few further theories underlying TCM, as these theories will be integrated within the analysis of the individual elements.

       Examination and Diagnosis

      During examination, information is gathered in order to identify the symptoms, which will indicate any underlying imbalances. Analysis classifies these imbalances, and a decision is made as to how they will be treated and the balance restored.

      The information obtained from the examination is integrated and organized, utilizing the principles of TCM to identify a specific group of symptoms. These groups of symptoms are referred to as symptom-complexes.⁴⁷ A symptom-complex goes beyond a symptom. It is a summary of the functioning of the body at a specific phase or stage of the disease. It includes the symptoms manifested and connects these symptoms to imbalances in the body. The cause of the imbalances, location and nature of the disease are then identified. A decision is made based on these findings with regards to the treatment required.⁴⁸ The aim of the treatment is to regulate the relationship between the factors of the symptom-complex by applying the yin/yang theory, restoring balance to the meridians and consequently the whole body.

      The patient is always examined and assessed from the following perspective: the body functions as a whole, all body parts are interdependent, and the body and its environment are interdependent. Ohashi illustrates this interdependency when he says:

      ‘In Oriental diagnosis, we see the body as an orchestra whose music is the soul. Remove any instrument, or change the way it is played, and you alter the music entirely. To bring out the full breadth of the spirit, you must finely tune each organ as if it were an instrument. It must function optimally, as if a virtuoso was playing it. Yet you must never forget that each organ must blend harmoniously with the rest of the body – all the other pieces of the orchestra – to bring forth the most complete and beautiful being, which is you. The Oriental healer, therefore, is like the conductor of an orchestra. He or she hears the instruments that are playing out of tune and adjusts them to bring each into harmony with the rest of the orchestra.’⁴⁹

       The Theory of the Causes of Disease

      The causes of disease are inherent to the theory of the Five Elements. As we have seen, the Five Elements are manifestations of the vital life-giving energy or Chi. Balance between the Five Elements, and therefore the flow of Chi, will promote and maintain longevity and good health. Imbalances in any of the Five Elements, implies an imbalance in the flow of Chi, which will result in disease. According to TCM, disease derives from one of two causes.

       Environmental factors

      If the human body lacks the ability to protect itself from harmful external environmental factors, imbalances will occur and disease will result. These factors are related to abnormal climatic conditions. When climatic conditions are in excess or lacking it disturbs the balance between the body and the environment.⁵⁰ Chinese medicine refers to these abnormal climatic conditions as ‘the five devils.’ The five devils are associated with the Five Elements and the major organs inside the human body.

       Wood is related to the climate wind, affecting the gall bladder and liver;

       Fire is associated with the climate heat and affect the heart, small intestines, circulation and triple burner;

       Earth is associated with the climate dampness, affecting the stomach, spleen and pancreas;

       Metal is related to the climate dryness and affect the lungs and large intestine;

       Water is related to a cold climate affecting the bladder and kidneys.

      The degree to which each of the climatic conditions will influence the individual is dependent on his/her affinity with each climatic condition and the strength of their Chi to protect the body against these external attacks.

      While Western medicine identifies the external factors causing disease as bacteria and viruses, Chinese medicine does not specifically refer to these as external causes of disease. However, they can be accommodated within the Chinese medicine paradigm.⁵¹

       Internal dysfunctions

      Internal dysfunctions in the human body are related to extreme, intense emotions. These are referred to as the ‘five destructive emotions’ and they are associated with the Five Elements and with the major organs of the human body. The Five Elements are related to the five emotions as follows:

       Wood is related to anger, affecting the gall bladder and the liver;

       Fire is related to joy, affecting the heart and small intestines, circulation/pericardium and the triple burner;

       Water is related to fear, affecting the bladder and kidneys;

       Metal is related to grief and worry, affecting the lungs and large intestines;

       Earth is related to sympathy and needs, affecting the stomach, spleen and pancreas.

      When one or more of these emotions is experienced in extremity and excess, or when we are unable to express or experience these emotions properly, this causes imbalances in the Chi flowing through the body. These imbalances deplete the body’s ability to protect itself against both internal and external attacks on the body and disease will result. Other internal causes of disease include tension, overexertion, dietary maladjustments, excess sexual activity, excess mucus, blood clotting, and heredity dysfunctions.⁵²

      All these internal and external factors are interdependent and their interaction with each other leads to specific groups of symptoms. These symptoms are manifested physically (external or internal) and emotionally (in terms of behaviour) as described by the dynamics of the Five Elements and are indications of imbalances within one or more of the elements.⁵³

      Today we are once again beginning to learn what the Chinese knew thousands of years ago, that disease is mostly the result of wrong living – not living in accord with the natural laws of the universe. Ancient Chinese philosophy regarded the human organism as a miniature version of the universe and often referred to man as ‘the small world.’ Thus, man cannot be divorced from nature as he forms an organic part of it. Nature as macrocosm and man as microcosm obey the same laws. The Nei Ching says:

       ‘Those who rebel against the basic rules of the universe sever their own roots and ruin their true selves. Yin and yang, the two principles in nature, and the four seasons are the beginning and the end of everything and they are also the cause of life and death. Those who disobey the laws of the universe will give rise to calamities and visitations, while those who follow the laws of the universe remain free from dangerous illness, and they are the ones who have obtained Tao, the Right Way.’

       Meridian Theory

      The meridian theory represents the anatomy of the human body according to Chinese medicine. The Nei Ching states:

      ‘The Meridians move the Chi and Blood, regulate the Yin and the Yang, moisten the tendons and the Bones, and benefit the joints … internally the Meridians connect with the Organs and externally with the joints, limbs and the outer surface of the body.’⁵⁴

      The meridians are a network of energy channels of which there are 12 major ones (see here). Each meridian passing through the one side of the body has a mirror image on the other side of the body, resulting in 12 pairs of meridians. In order to maintain health, the circulatory and nervous system must be able to flow uninterrupted throughout the body; if it is not something is bound to go wrong. The same principle applies to the meridian network. When Chi flows uninterrupted throughout the body via the meridians, good health will be achieved and maintained. The environment (external factors), our thoughts and emotions (internal factors), and what we eat, drink and breathe all affect the flow of Chi in the meridian network, as indicated by the theory of the Five Elements.⁵⁵

      The flow of energy or Chi through the meridians happens in specific cycles within