How is Classical Five-Element Acupuncture different from Traditional Acupuncture?
When acupuncture was introduced to this country in the 1970s, the form of acupuncture being used in China at that time was known as Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM acupuncture, also called traditional acupuncture. This officially approved methodology was created in the latter half of the 20th century, during the reign of Mao Tse Tung, and its focus was on the alleviation of body symptoms, while most mental, emotional, and spiritual complaints were not addressed. Because this was the primary form of acupuncture at the time China was opened to the West, this same form was imported and taught at most American acupuncture schools, as is the case today. Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, on the other hand, has its roots in Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM), a conglomeration of practices stretching back to the Stone Age. One of the original foundations of TOM was the life of the spirit. In other words, TOM is a holistic approach to healing, addressing body, mind, and spirit. Classical
