Retrieving harmony and balance,

by Debra Kaatz

Five element acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine, and Tibetan medicine traditionally clear energy including possession, then build up energy by the use of herbs and points or areas of points and finally build up spirit both through points or areas of points and prayers. What is called Traditional Chinese Medicine does not do these things, but simply treats symptoms with points.

In five element acupuncture we have a very simple protocol. First we look to see if the person’s energy has been invaded by “ghostly” energy and clear this with seven points called the dragon points. We simply send in the dragons to chase out the demons. The person simply feels as if they are not quite themselves all the time. When we do these points, the person comes entirely back to themselves. The Tibetans do this with prayers and in ayurvedic medicine there are areas that are massaged.

We then clear the energy. On the back, the bladder meridian has points that relate to all the different organs of the body. To make sure the energy is cleared, we simply place needles in points on the back for the yin organs: the heart, lungs, pericardium, liver, spleen, and kidneys. If the energy is not clear, there is a redness around the needle that gradually disappears. The Tibetans and the ayurvedic system do this with herbs, massage, and areas of points on the back.

When the system is cleared we then look at the person’s spirit. Points are used to help bring this spirit back to life (points like Abundant Splendour, Spirit Storehouse, Spirit Hall, Gate of Life, Spirit Path, or Rich for the Vitals, among others). Depending on their spiritual tradition, people can also be given prayers to help them reconnect with the greater world around them.

Then, the system is supported on the element where the original imbalance occurred. For example, if it occurred in spring we would use points on the wood meridians of the gallbladder and liver, or if it occurred in autumn, we would treat on points on the lungs and large intestine. In this way, the system is brought back into harmony and balance.

Debra Kaatz is a healer who uses five element acupuncture to bring harmony and balance to the energy of those who come to her. To activate the points, she now uses tuning forks, which have the same effect as needles. She also has medicinal gardens with more than 100 healing plants, which she uses for remedies she makes herself. She is the author of Wild Flower Plant Spirits, Characters of Wisdom – Taoist Tales of the Acupuncture Points, Receiving Spirit – the Practice of Five Element Acupuncture, and the Alchemical Path as well as many children’s books. She is currently helping doctors integrate plants and the system of five element acupuncture into their healing abilities.