One of the foundations of Chinese medicine is that our bodies are deeply connected to the natural world. Just as the seasons shift and the environment transforms, our internal systems also move through cycles of growth, rest, and renewal. Acupuncture helps us stay in harmony with these rhythms.
Five Element Acupuncture vs. TCM
Both Five Element acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognize the influence of nature on our health, but they emphasize it differently:
- Five Element acupuncture places the natural cycles at the center of practice. Each person has a “constitutional element” tied to Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. The seasons, colors, emotions, and organs linked to each element become guiding markers for treatment.
- TCM focuses on patterns of imbalance (such as Qi stagnation, Yin deficiency, or Heat) and often addresses multiple symptoms within one treatment strategy. Seasons are factored in, but they are one piece of a larger diagnostic picture.
Both systems are effective and can even complement one another—but Five Element acupuncture especially highlights the seasonal changes we’re moving through right now.
The Seasonal Transition: Late Summer to Autumn
In Chinese medicine, the year is not divided neatly into four seasons but five, each linked to an element:
- Spring → Wood
- Summer → Fire
- Late Summer → Earth
- Autumn → Metal
- Winter → Water
Right now, we are transitioning from Late Summer (Earth element) into Autumn (Metal element). This change is especially significant because Late Summer acts as a pivot point, the time when nature gathers and centers itself before moving toward decline.
Late Summer (Earth)
- Associated with the Spleen and Stomach
- Governs digestion, nourishment, and grounding
- Emotion: Worry or overthinking when out of balance
This is the season of ripening and harvest. If we take in too much—whether food, information, or responsibilities—the Earth element becomes taxed, leaving us tired, foggy, or craving sweets. Acupuncture at this time helps strengthen digestion and restore balance.
Autumn (Metal)
- Associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine
- Governs boundary, immunity, and letting go
- Emotion: Grief when out of balance
As days shorten and temperatures cool, the body mirrors this contraction. Just as trees shed their leaves, Autumn encourages us to release what we no longer need. Acupuncture can support the Lungs, boost immunity, and help us process both seasonal changes and emotional transitions.
The Sheng Cycle: A Cycle of Nourishment
The Sheng Cycle (also called the generating cycle) describes how each element naturally supports the next:
- Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood (again)
Each season prepares the body for the next. For example:
- Earth (Late Summer) nourishes Metal (Autumn) by strengthening digestion and providing resources for the immune system.
- Metal (Autumn) then supports Water (Winter) by conserving energy and establishing boundaries.
By understanding this flow, acupuncture treatments can not only address what is happening now but also prepare the body for the season ahead.
Living in Rhythm with the Seasons
Practical ways to align with the Late Summer → Autumn transition:
- Eat warm, cooked foods to support the Spleen and ease digestion
- Spend time outdoors breathing deeply to strengthen the Lungs
- Simplify your routines, letting go of what feels heavy or unnecessary
Acupuncture provides a way to harmonize with these shifts, grounding during Late Summer and clearing during Autumn. When we move with nature, instead of against it, health feels less like a battle and more like a rhythm.
The Still Point Acupuncture Team
Our skilled acupuncture team at The Still Point is well versed in seasonal transitions and treating conditions that arise this time of year. Whether you’re looking to strengthen immunity, ease digestion, or simply feel more balanced, we’re here to support you. We look forward to seeing you, schedule your appointment today and experience how seasonal acupuncture can keep you in rhythm with nature.
