Who Are the Types of People That Come in for Five-Element Acupuncture?

By John Winternitz L.AC, M.AC, at Juniper Tree Acupuncture in Boulder

People who come in for Five-Element Acupuncture are a diverse group because this form of acupuncture can treat a wide range of disorders. The most common conditions I see are pain-related issues, anxiety, depression, overwhelm, women's health, autoimmune disorders, digestive issues, insomnia, ADHD, OCD, allergies, and more.

Often, individuals come in seeking relief from pain, not realizing the vast scope of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. During their initial intake, they frequently express surprise, saying, "Wow, I have never gone this in-depth into my personal, medical, and psychological history with a medical professional and actually felt deeply listened to." As they begin to receive treatment, they notice that, in addition to pain relief, they experience reduced depression, less anxiety, and a general sense of ease. Other symptoms they did not initially come in for also start to improve.

This is because Five-Element Acupuncture treats at a deep level. When you start to allow the elements to come back into balance through acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and the letting go of harmful habits and beliefs about yourself, you begin to move toward a more balanced expression of yourself. You start to see glimpses of how your whole experience of life begins to feel more like a pristine natural landscape rather than the pollution you see around town.

It’s not that everything becomes perfect or that problems disappear, but you begin to see the natural movements of stillness, growth, maturation, fruition, decay, and return to stillness as the natural flow of life. When you allow these natural rhythms to come and go without repressing or exaggerating them, not only do your symptoms improve, but over time, an internal radiance begins to grow inside of you. This radiance reflects a deeper level of healing and balance, enhancing your overall well-being.