Sitting quietly near a rushing stream amidst the beauty of the trees, my thoughts drift to ancient times when people came to rivers to drink, bathe, heal, give thanks and pray to the life-giving water from whence all creation came. The miracle of water evoked wonder and a spiritual connection with the natural world that is largely forgotten in this day and time. To have a living relationship with the water element requires that we slow down in our busy lives to appreciate and observe its many marvels. How easy it is to drink a glass of water, take a shower or shield ourselves from the rain without honoring its sacred gifts. In remembering to be conscious of water’s import in our lives, we begin to feel a deeper connection with nature and the wisdom of our ancestors who knew intimate oneness with this most vital of elements.

The Ocean, Rain, Rivers, Glaciers: The Ever-Changing Power of Water
The ruling element of winter is water in the Chinese tradition. Water is an essential part of life and more than ninety percent of our bodies are made of water. Symbolically and literally, water claims many of the most powerful images in the world: the womb, the ocean, the moon, tears, lakes, rivers, ice. It is also known to represent healing, wisdom and emotion. The essence of water is that its shape and form are determined by that which holds it; it can become gas, liquid or solid. Water is life and without it many living things cannot survive. Harnessing the power of water allows each of us to slowly change the hardest obstacles in our lives with the consistent pressure of what the Daoists refer to as the softest element.

Five Element Acupuncture
In Daoist Chinese philosophy, there are five essential forces that not only influence the natural world but also our bodies, hearts and minds. These forces are earth, metal, fire, wood and water. Because they believed humans to be one with nature, ancient Chinese philosophers considered these forces to be an integral part of our own physical makeup. In Five Element acupuncture, health and overall well-being are evaluated by observing a patient’s subtle facial coloring, sound of the voice, scent and emotional tendencies. Each element embodies a different set of characteristics in humans, which makes these core features fundamental to constitutional diagnosis. The predominant element called the “Constitutional Factor” then becomes the sole focus of treatment in order to create mental, emotional and physical healing.

The Constitutional Factor of Water
For a person whose “Constitutional Factor” is water, the coloring around the mouth and temples has a blue quality, the voice resembles a rumbling or trembling sound and the lower back may have a swampy or sweaty scent, similar to stagnant water pools. These individuals tend to experience issues of fear, especially of the unknown, the future and survival. This fear can draw them inward causing them to freeze or to act irrationally and out of control. Simultaneously, if the fear generated by water is conquered and contained, the inevitable outcome is wisdom. This wisdom teaches us to trust our own intuition and to cleverly distribute and use resources. Water provides a gateway into the inner self and truths we hold deep inside.

Beware of the Cold
People influenced by water can be introspective, fluid, independent, wise and compassionate; however, they can also be hidden, lost, exaggerated, deadened or frozen. As water becomes colder, it begins to take a more solid shape and turns into ice. When water becomes frozen it can increase stability and focus. Just as a glacier moves steadily across land, covering it in a white blanket, the frozen state of water can grant us tremendous power. However, if one allows fear to control the situation, frozen water can become stuck and resistant to change. Water in its icy state can inhibit, leave a feeling of emotional emptiness and cause an individual to forget the big picture. Water must also be balanced by the other forces in nature. Water requires the solidity and connectedness of earth, the passion and creativity of fire, wood’s awakening of activity and metal’s structure and constitution.

Water’s Influence on the Body
In Chinese medicine, the kidneys and the bladder are the organ systems that represent the water element. According to David Ford, L.Ac., “The kidneys are the creeks, mountain streams and rivers of our being. They give us our ability to be like a young person: flexible and fluid in body, mind and spirit.” The water element as represented by the kidneys teaches that in order to build reserves of our greatest potential, we must learn to strengthen these reserves through wise investment. The bladder represents the oceanic energy of water that connects us to the origin of existence, to stillness and reflection. Just as large bodies of water can become as mirrors, the bladder symbolizes one’s ability to meditate and contemplate. The bladder is a reservoir; it teaches us to discern if we have enough resources and helps to remind us of our own divinity while asking us to enjoy the silence.

Acupressure and Movement: Getting in Touch with Your Body
Regardless of an individual’s constitutional factor, an imbalance associated with the water element is indicated by various physical signals. Adrenal exhaustion, general fatigue, hearing loss, premature aging, bone problems, urinary problems, infertility, memory difficulties, back pain and knee weakness all point to disruption of water energy. Acupressure and meditative movement can be used as tools for understanding and balancing the water element. Acupressure point Bladder-52 (located on the lower back) called the “Room of Will” or the “Palace of Essence” activates the will to live, move through obstacles and appropriately store energy. Point Kidney-3 (located on the inside of the ankle), named “Greater Mountain Stream,” helps release self-defeat, promotes playfulness and empowers stillness and stability in order to conquer fear and preserve resources. Movement and mediation, such as yoga and qigong, can also be used to bring the water element back into a healthy balance. Regular exercise is essential for the circulation of moisture and warmth in the body as well as flexibility in the joints and spine.
Understanding elemental imbalances within the body is essential to achieving optimal health. Just as snowflakes are complex and distinctive, human beings each have a unique emotional and physical system that must be maintained through customized care practices. In Five Element Acupuncture, a practitioner observes the specific habits, patterns and behaviors of an individual in order to find a course of treatment that will bring harmony to the mind, body and spirit. This internal and external harmony increases quality of life on all levels. Through the study of nature, its cycles and basic foundation, every person can experience wholeness and live life to its absolute fullest.

Nicole Jurkovic, L.Ac. earned her Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She then completed an additional intensive study of Daoist wilderness-based Five Element acupuncture in a program called Awakening to the Soul of our Medicine as taught by David Ford, L.Ac. She has a private practice at Ling Dao Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in Asheville. You can reach Nicole at her practice, 828-582-6972, nicolejurkovic@yahoo.com, or check out www.lingdaoacupuncture.com.

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