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Five Element Acupuncture and Functional Medicine


Classical Five Element Acupuncture

Classical Five Element Acupuncture came out of the Taoist tradition, based on how to understand the link between what is happening in the outside world (nature) and the interior one (our bodies).  In nature the five elements are: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.  From an eastern perspective the five elements as in nature are also present in each of us and correlate to specific organs. Therefore, whatever happens naturally outside also happens within us.    When we have an organic imbalance inside of us,  much of it is influenced by the time of day, by the season of the year, as well as other multifactorial conditions.

This system of acupuncture recognizes that our vital life-force, or “Qi”, affects us on all levels- body, mind and spirit and if our needs on any one of these levels becomes imbalanced, disease will manifest. By assisting the life-force “Qi” to flow both Nature and the individual can access what is already provided for and ultimately heal themselves.

Five Element Acupuncture is a truly sustainable form of healthcare based on the laws of Nature- accessing the patient’s own resources through specific acupuncture points to restore balance on all levels of body, mind and spirit- thus enabling one to achieve their fullest potential.

Who Can Benefit

For thousands of years Chinese Medicine and acupuncture has treated a variety of illnesses and symptoms using acupuncture, herbal medicine, food as medicine, acupressure, Qi Gong and meditation for the following conditions:
  • Digestive problems
  • Infertility
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Menstrual problems
  • Menopause
  • ED
  • Fertility
  • Urinary problems
  • Skin problems
  • High Blood pressure/arrythmia/Respiratory issues
  • Asthma/colds and flu’s
  • Depression/Stress
  • Sleep issues
  • Acute pain
  • Muscular skeletal problems
  • Auto immune issues
  • Fatigue and Weakness
  • Headaches
  • Migraines

Functional Medicine

Functional medicine is a science-based personalized healthcare approach that assesses and treats underlying causes of illness through individually tailored therapies to restore health and improve function. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a patient and practitioner therapeutic partnership that addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.

“We are not designed to be stressed, toxic, inflamed, infected, malnourished, and unrested, and yet still easily thrive, grow, reproduce, be thin, feel well, eat anything, we want, enjoy perfect digestion, and have great sex. This combination would not be natural.” -Tracy Harrison

“In every infection, there are two factors at play. The microbe and the host. We can’t control the microbe but we have extraordinary control over us, the host. Functional Medicine is the science of creating health, of creating resilience, and making your system an inhospitable place for disease.” -Dr. Mark Hyman

Who Can Benefit

Our society is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Functional medicine doesn’t orient to treat just acute care, diagnosis’ and apply drugs or surgery to treat an immediate problem or symptom. Functional Medicine takes into account the unique multifactorial influences such as genetic makeup, environmental exposures to toxins and aspects of an individual’s lifestyle that directly influence chronic disease.
  • Adrenal disorders
  • Attention Deficit Disorder
  • Alzheimer's disease and dementia
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Cancer prevention
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive disorders
  • Depression
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Environmental and food allergies
  • Neurological Conditions
  • Women’s health disorders (PMS, menopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and insulin resistance
  • Thyroid disorders
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Emily Navas LAc, Acupuncture & Functional Medicine

415-519-5230This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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