The 5 Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine

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The Theory of the Five Elements is one of the fundamental theories of traditional Chinese medicine. Just as in nature, the human body is believed to contain the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. All of these elements are in constant dynamic interaction.

The first element is Wood, which is associated with the season of spring, with morning—the beginning of the day—and with the eastern direction. The color of Wood is green, and the taste associated with this element is sour. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, it is associated with the number 3 and the period of puberty. The organs associated with this element are the liver and gallbladder. People with a dominant Wood element are often tall, slender, and by nature ambitious, goal-oriented, and creative extroverts. In terms of health issues, they often experience PMS, high blood pressure, headaches, or allergies.

The Fire element corresponds to the season of summer, noon, and the southern direction. Its color is red and its taste is bitter. It is associated with the number 9 and is linked to a time of peak vitality. The organs of the human body associated with the Fire element are the heart and the small intestine. People with a predominant Fire element often tend to blush and are usually slender in build. By nature, they are energetic, dominant, and emotional, and are very popular in social settings due to their charisma. They are prone to insomnia, depression, and cardiovascular diseases.

The Earth element is associated with Indian summer. The color of the Earth element is yellow, and its taste is sweet. The number associated with the Earth element is 5, and it is linked to maturity. The organs of the human body associated with the earth element are the spleen and the stomach. People with a dominant earth element tend to have a more robust and somewhat softer physique, with a tendency to gain weight. They are very stable, practical, and reliable. Since earth is the element that provides nourishment, people with a dominant earth element enjoy providing “nourishment” to those around them in the form of any kind of help. These people are prone to digestive problems, loose stools, fatigue, and food allergies.

Metal is the element associated with the season of autumn, the evening, and the western direction. The color of metal is white, and it is characterized by a sharp taste. The number associated with this element is 7, and it is linked to old age. The organs of the human body associated with Metal are the lungs and the large intestine. People in whom this element predominates have a well-built body with an oval face. They are fair-minded, logical, and value structure, order, and discipline. As for health issues, they are prone to respiratory and skin conditions.

The final element is water. The element of water is associated with the season of winter, midnight, and the north. The color of water is dark blue, and its corresponding taste is salty. The number associated with water is 1, and its life cycle encompasses the beginning and the end. People in whom the water element predominates have a large, round head, face, and body. Personality-wise, they are very thoughtful, calm, sensitive, and level-headed. Health-wise, they are prone to urinary tract infections, swelling, and joint pain.

All of these elements are interconnected; when they interact properly, this is physiologically beneficial to us, but the relationships between them can also be disrupted, leading to the development of diseases.

We will discuss the individual elements in more detail in future articles.

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The body does not need to be fixed. It needs to be understood.

I am a woman, wife, mother and physiotherapist. Over the years of practice, I have realised that health does not come only from eliminating symptoms or solving a specific problem. Real change comes when a person begins to better understand themselves, their body, and the way they live their life.

It was this idea that led me to create the space you know today as ToBe – a place where different areas of expertise, perspectives, and approaches to health are interconnected. A place that does not see a person only through a diagnosis or individual symptoms, but as a unique whole.

My professional journey began in physiotherapy and the musculoskeletal system. Over time, clients and their stories gradually led me deeper – from working with the body through the pelvic floor to understanding the meaning of emotions, the psyche, and the functioning of the nervous system. Today, I see the body as the bearer of a person’s story, and therapy as a space where we can get to know that story, understand it, and support its natural process of change.

How I work

Years of practice have taught me to slow down. To listen more. To place less emphasis on performance, results, or quick change.

In therapy, I strive to create a safe space where clients can become more aware of their bodies, their needs, and the connections between what they are experiencing and what is happening on a physical level. I don’t focus only on symptoms; I also look for their possible causes and the context in which they arise.

Over the years, I have become increasingly aware of how closely the body, mind, and nervous system are connected. This is why I naturally integrate a psychosomatic perspective and the principles of nervous system regulation into my work – gently, clearly, and always with respect for where each client is in their own process.

I believe the body has a remarkable capacity for healing and renewal. Sometimes it doesn’t need more pressure — it needs understanding, a sense of safety, and the right conditions to begin functioning in a different way.

What I can help you with

In my practice, I specialise mainly in:

urogynecological physiotherapy
pelvic floor dysfunction
incontinence
painful conditions after childbirth
preparation for childbirth and postpartum recovery
painful menstruation
pain during sexual intercourse
functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system
chronic pain without an organic cause
unintegrated scars
psychosomatic connections of health problems
regulation of the nervous system

Methods and approaches I use

In my work, I connect physiotherapy with knowledge from psychosomatics, work with the nervous system, and a holistic therapeutic approach. I mainly use:

urogynecological physiotherapy
pelvic floor therapy
diagnosis and therapy of functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system
visceral manipulation
osteopathic principles
craniosacral therapy
psychosomatic approach in physiotherapy
principles of nervous system regulation
knowledge from Somatic Experiencing® training

In therapy, I combine professional knowledge with a sensitive perception of the person and their story. My goal is not only to relieve the problem, but to support the client in better understanding themselves and their body.

ToBe – the concept

ToBe grew naturally out of the original IntimFyzio centre. Over time, I increasingly felt the need to bring different areas of expertise together and create a place where a person does not have to be divided into separate parts.

Today, ToBe is a multidisciplinary space where physiotherapy, psychology, psychotherapy, women’s health, traditional Chinese medicine, work with the nervous system, and other approaches come together – united by a common idea: to see a person in their entirety and create the conditions for health, growth, and a deeper connection with oneself.

Education and professional development

I studied physiotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University in Bratislava, and completed my master’s degree at the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom.

I have completed a specialisation in functional and structural disorders of the musculoskeletal system at the Slovak Medical University in Bratislava. I hold a licence for independent medical practice and am a member of the Slovak Chamber of Physiotherapists.

Training that has significantly shaped my therapeutic approach

Somatic Experiencing® (currently in training, Lilian Troost)
Psychosomatic approach in physiotherapy (CKP Edu, Prague)
Visceral manipulation and osteopathic approach (Inge Schuermans, MSc)
Birth trauma in physiotherapy and self-regulation tools in client practice (Mgr. Radka Tomášková)
Holistic approach to scar and pelvic floor therapy (PhDr. Michaela Prokešová, PhD.)
Traditional care for women and mothers (Angelina Miranda Martinez)
Osteopathic approach in pregnancy and gynaecological dysfunctions (Inge Schuermans, Jory Paul)
Ludmila Mojžišová method (Mgr. Jana Jedličková)
Physiotherapy of pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence (Prof. Magdaléna Hágovská, Mgr. Zuzana Woleková)
Craniosacral therapy (Mgr. Helena Toušková, Upledger Institute)
Certified DNS Therapist Diploma (Prof. Pavel Kolář)
Diagnosis and Therapy of Functional Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System (Eva Janíková)
Stott Pilates (Jitka Kadish)

I believe health is not a goal to be achieved. It is a relationship we build with ourselves, our bodies, and our lives – and it is a journey I love to accompany my clients on.