"Wood creates Fire from burning, Fire creates Earth from Ashes, Earth creates Metal by hardening, Metal creates water by containment, Water creates Wood by Nourishment"
What can we learn from this statement when we look at it from a perspective of not the element itself, but the natural interaction of characteristics in our anatomy which presents in this similar model.
Statements involving the elements are often associated with ancient shamanic magic, or something mystical; however, as we developed as a species the elements were what we learned to understand first. Elements represent the natural world we live in, in which our bodies over generations have adapted to co-exist.
This is where homeostasis exists, we have to keep our organ systems within checks and balances, just as nature keeps itself within checks and balances or a regeneration-controlling cycle. But, how can we apply this thought process to preventative healthcare? We have to think about what sort of activities interact, and how those activities affect certain aspects of our anatomy.
For example, some conditions are based off of our structural component of the body, which may cause a bio-electrical problem. A patient may come in to the clinic with radiculopathy down his left leg.
This could be because of a disc herniation which presses on the spinal nerve root or spinal cord. (Causing the nerve sensation)
In this specific case stated above it could be possible that the structural impact of his spinal vertebrae then damage his bioelectrical flow in the body. There are other components that could possibly cause this sensation that does not involve the disc herniation, but this is how we can now begin to apply the elemental characteristic model to improve our diagnosis and treatment.
How do we prevent a disease based off of an elemental model? Let's look at the disc herniation again. A disc herniation is stimulated when the spinal vertebrae create posterior directional pressure on the discs, which exist above and below our vertebrae to relieve vertical pressure. We have an anterior spinal ligament which is quite large and strong. It is more difficult to have an anterior disc herniation, nearly impossible. Our posterior ligament is not quite as strong, so when we go into a forward bent posture then rotate to pick something up it likely ends up with this injury.
So when we go into a forward bent posture then rotate to pick something up it likely ends up with this injury.
That means our posture and lifestyle are significant elements to consider, in order to avoid this injury. This is only one example of how the five elemental system can help us see medical conditions differently. A thorough understanding of how these elements present in our body and lifestyle can empower us with preventative force.
This is a brief introduction on this broad concept, in the next blog post I will introduce the roots of the elemental thought system and explore further. Thanks for reading!