Chapter 8 of the Ling Shu is titled: Acupuncture as the basis of Acupuncture. There seems to be some confusion among Acupuncture practitioners in regard to the nature of the spirit and emotion within their medicine. Unfortunately, some proclaim that the practice of a more spiritual or emotional treatment style of Acupuncture has no basis within the medicine. I ask them to read the Nei Jing. One cannot practice this medicine without regard to the spirit and emotion. That is not my opinion, but that of the Nei Jing. Some think that the spirit and emotion has no basis whatsoever in our medicine. Unfortunately, this attitude prevails in those who attempt to make something more "modern" of our medicine, to integrate without regard to principles set forth in the classics. Our medicine is profound and unique in that it is truly holistic in that it does not simply pay lip service to the idea or concept of holistic medicine, but does in fact treat the body-mind-spirit. This triple entity is in fact one and there is no separation of any of its parts.

In physics, energy balance is a systematic presentation of energy flows and transformations in a system. The theoretical basis for an energy balance is the first law of thermodynamics according to which energy cannot be created or destroyed, only modified in form. Qi is energy, life-force, it is that which makes us "alive". When one or more of the Five-Elements of Fire-Earth-Metal-Water or Wood is not in balance, it creates the possibility for illness to strike. Each Element is part of a integral system of energy. That system is physical, psychological and spiritual; Body-Mind-Spirit.

Most of us in the West think of Acupuncture as being an effective threatment for pain. Acupuncture can be very effective for physical pain. It is also very effective for a very different type of pain, psychological and emotional pain.

Classical Five-Element Acupuncture, as taught by Professor JR Worsley, is unique among the various types of acupuncture. It doesn't palliate symptoms. It derives its remarkable effectiveness by treating the Causative Factor (CF) of an illness. Relying on natural laws, it recognizes that the health of a person's entire body, mind and spirit must be taken into account in order to fully diagnose the cause of an illness. Only then can the most effective help be offered so that people can regain their balance and health on all levels.