Acupuncture is an ancient system of medicine originating in Asia that has been used effectively as a holistic healing method for over 2,000 years. It works on the underlying principle that illness and pain occur when the body’s Qi, or vital energy, cannot flow freely through the body’s energy channels, known as meridians. There can be many reasons for this, including emotional and physical stress, trauma, poor nutrition, infection or injury. By inserting ultra-fine sterile needles into specific acupuncture points, the acupuncturist seeks to re-establish the free flow of Qi to restore balance and trigger the body’s natural healing response. The five elements are Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal and they are fundamental and integral part of Chinese philosophy. -Each element is associated with different organs, bodily functions, seasons, emotions, odours, colours, sounds and times of day. Everyone has all of the elements within them, but each person has a particular relationship with one element. Five element acupuncturists seek to diagnose and treat the root cause of disease rather than just the symptoms, by identifying the element that is in distress. The focus is very much on the individual, not their illness, and treatment aims to bring about balance in the whole person – body, mind and spirit. It is used by many people as a preventative measure to strengthen their constitution and it is highly effective in addressing stress and emotional problems before they lead to more serious illness. Patients often report an improvement in their general wellbeing, increased energy, improved sleep and the feeling more relaxed.