Do You Know your constitution?

Know Your Constitution. Constitutional builds demonstrates the relevant composition of the individual's constitution relative to the traditional Chinese Medical five element theory.

As described in the article Traditional Chinese Medicine there are five primary elements in TCM five element theory which describes the ebb and flow of elemental energies in the body representing individual organ systems and their functions. This article focuses on the definition and classification of the various elemental constitutions and their respective strengths and potential pathologies.

The Pioneer. Wood Constitution

Forceful, determined, bold, decisive, clear, tendency to overdo, over direct, over perform.

Usually physically these individuals are tall and slender with small head and long face. They also have small and shapely hands and feet, broad shoulders and a straight flat back. By nature these individuals enjoy the spring and summer seasons and tend to dislike autumn and winter, as their constitution leaves them more vulnerable to pathogenic invasion and disease during these seasons. They have strong sinews and tendons and tend to manifest with green bluish facial hues.

Balanced wood constitutions tend to be Kind, merciful, creative, and free in self expression. The sub type of Yang Wood can manifest stubbornness, dominance and may have issues with anger, excessive aggressiveness and are almost always overachievers. Another sub type of Yin wood is often unassertive, unsure of themselves and their role in life. They experience difficulties in expressing themselves, and have weak boundaries. They are timid and always doubtful.

Wood constitutions should take care of their liver and gall bladder as these organs can be injured easily and should avoid excessive anger, aggressiveness and balance their emotions. The overachievers should balance their aspirations with the developing inner peace and respect for others.

Potential disorders- Hypoglycemic, PMS, Chiropractic, Allergic, Depressive, Intolerance, Impatience, Volatile emotions, Vascular headaches, Abuse of Stimulants, or sedatives.

The Wizard. Fire Constitution

Dazzling, Trembling, excitement, all embracing, affectionate, expansive, generous, intuitive, warm and bright.

Usually have broad paravertibral muscles and well proportioned shoulders, upper back and thighs. Their head is smaller and somewhat pointed, pointed chin small hands and feet and usually curly hair, often these individuals may have early receding hairline. Fire constitution tends to prefer late spring and summer seasons and dislike autumn and especially winter. They have a strong circulatory system and manifest with red facial hues.

Balanced Fire personalities are trusting, open minded, social, and fond of beauty. They are spontaneous and often funny. A Sub type of Yin Fire may manifest in lack of interest in life, tend to become isolated, solemn and often suffer from depression. Another sub type of Yang Fire personalities can exhibit arrogance and are often restless, excitable and excessive talkers. They are often overenthusiastic and exaggerate. They are socially and sexually overactive.

Fire personalities should take care of their cardiovascular systems as well as their psychological well being. Many Yang Fire personalities can become overly stimulated and burn-out eventually developing psychological imbalances bouncing from highs to lows (example – bipolar disorder)

Potential disorders - Insomnia, Paranoia, Restlessness, Palpitations, nervous exhaustion, weakened sexual responses, anxiety, agitation, Abuse of mind altering substances

The Peacemaker. Earth Constitution

Practical, down-to-earth, intelligence, anticipating, meeting needs of the family, kind, supportive, pliant, reliable, politic

These individuals tend to have somewhat larger bodies and over proportioned head and abdomen, strong thighs round face and wide jaw line. Their limbs are well proportioned and they often carry excess flesh. Earth constitutions prefer autumn and winter and dislike spring and summer. They have strong muscles and manifest with yellow facial hues.

Balanced Earth personalities are predisposed to quiet peaceful lives unconcerned with wealth and fame. They are always at peace, calm and generous, forgiving and sincere. In life they are analytical, practical and logical with strong adaptability to changing circumstances. A sub type of Yin Earth tends to worry excessively becoming suspicious and self centered. They tend to struggle with letting go of their deeper inner worries and defensiveness. Another sub type of Yang Earth can become over attached and co-dependent.

Earth constitution should take care of their digestive and gastrointestinal tract as these organs can get injured with excessive worrying and over thinking. They should be weary of becoming too pushy and possessive (example – passive aggressive)

Potential disorders - weight control, obsession, worry, self-doubt, digestive disturbances, low energy, cold limbs, food allergies, weak muscles, and unrealistic expectations, meddling, overprotective.

The Alchemist. Metal Constitution
Power to restraint, methodical, efficient, and disciplined, lives according to principle, sense of symmetry, logical mind, purity of ideals.

These individuals usually have triangular face with broader square shoulder structure and strong muscular build. They also have a strong commanding voice. They enjoy autumn and winter but tend to dislike spring and summer. Their strongest feature is their lungs and they tend to manifest with white facial hues.

Balanced Metal personalities are generous just and bright, they have the ability to effectively process grief and emotional baggage. They participate in life without fear of loss and are able to gain knowledge and wisdom from experiencing new and changing emotional attachments. A sub type of Yin Metal has difficulties in creating lasting bonds because of fears stemming from past losses and emotional trauma. They can become jealous and envious. Material possessions tend to become their means to happiness. Another sub type of Yang Metal tends to suppress their emotions and hold on to grief, this predisposes them to become complainer and "whiners" they use new relationships as emotional bondage to unload their grief onto others and tend to be overly meticulous.

Metal constitutions should take care of their lungs and their skin, as these organs can be more susceptible to diseases, physically they should strengthen their body, specially their heart and digestive systems. They should develop their abilities to let go of past losses and grief and experience the warmth and compassion of life.

Potential disorders - Repeated Infections, Chronic cough, COPD, sinus infections, dry skin, hair, dermatological disorders, stiff joints and muscles, shallow breathing, poor circulation, indifference and inhibition.

The Philosopher. Water Constitution

Tenacity, Prudence, Introspection, Deep Reserves of strength, Downward draining of energy.
These individuals tend to have large round face head and body, long upper back, large hips and may have uneven physical proportions. By nature they prefer autumn and winter and dislike spring and especially summer. Their strong feature is their digestive system and they tend to manifest with dark facial hues.

Balanced Water personalities are skilled negotiators not easily discouraged by difficulties, sympathetic and loyal to friends and colleagues. They have a clear perspective and are sensitive and intuitive. They are firm willed and have solid boundaries. A sub type of Yin Water predisposes individuals to lack of spiritual, physical and mental energies leaving them with a weakened will power and determination to achieve their goals. They tend to do things halfheartedly and become easily discouraged by difficult challenges. Another sub type of Yang Water predisposes the individual to become ambitious and overachieving always living under great stress, they can become reckless and foolhardy. They fear loss of control which can lead them to become dominating.

Water constitutions should take care of their kidney and reproductive systems. They should take care of their teeth gums and bones. Develop strong back muscles and knees. They should cultivate their spiritual and mental powers and avoid procrastination.

Potential disorders - edema, urinary infections, impotence, and infertility, low back weakness and pain, weak Knees, Isolation and loneliness, emotionally inaccessible, Hardening of arteries, Deterioration of teeth, gum, loss of libido.

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Just as in nature, most individuals are not exactly one elemental constitution but are a mix of two or more elements in relative measure. The intricate relationship of these elemental factors in the constitution whether granted genetically or acquired environmentally represent the true constitution of an individual, their personality and health strengths and weaknesses. A skilled practitioner is able to understand these intricacies and integrate treatment approaches to help correct potential imbalances thereby promoting total wellness.

What Element are you?

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© Aram A. Akopyan LAc.Dipl. OM. Total Wellness Center for Healing Arts