The Five Element Theory

In Asian medicine, the mind-body connection is broadly recognized. The five element theory explains the mind-body relationship by using the properties of water, wood, fire, earth and metal. When the energetic relationship of a person's five elements is balanced, he or she is mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy. If a person is experiencing emotional problems, the energetic distortion may be exhibited as mental or physical symptoms.

The following are some examples of how psychological conditions may be manifested physically, according to the five element theory.

Water

Excess stress is linked to sleep disorders, headaches and back pain

Wood

Anger or a feeling of lack of control can create a tendency toward substance abuse, eating disorders, shoulder pain

Fire

Oversensitivity to deep emotional sadness may supress the immune or circulatory system

Earth

Obsessive thinking is associated with teeth grinding

Metal

Dissatisfaction with work or home environment may cause digestive or sinus problems