by Julia Salisbury (Massage Therapist & Reflexologist)
Understanding what our bodies are trying to tell us
One of the things I love most about Chinese Medicine is its belief that our emotional and physical selves are never separate. Each organ has an emotional and energetic quality, connected to one of the Five Elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — and a type of energy that reflects its role within us: Qi (life force), Jing (essence), Shen (spirit), Hun (soul), Yi (thought), and Po (instinct).
Every part of the body tells a story. Our organs, muscles, joints, and even our emotions are woven together through a delicate network of energy known as Qi. When that energy flows smoothly, we feel vibrant, balanced, and connected. When it becomes stagnant or depleted, the body often whispers clues — a tight jaw, tired eyes, aching knees, a fluttering heart — long before it raises its voice.
Below is a gentle exploration of how different parts of the body can mirror what’s happening within, and how we might restore harmony when things feel out of balance.
🌿 Metal Element – The Lungs and Large Intestine
Emotion: Grief and letting go
Energy: Qi and Po
The Lungs are the guardians of our breath — they connect us to the present moment and the rhythm of life. In TCM, they’re closely linked with feelings of grief and sadness, particularly when we struggle to release something or someone we’ve lost. When Lung Qi is low, we might feel a sense of heaviness in the chest, low mood, or shallow breathing. Gentle breathing exercises, time outdoors, and slow, mindful touch can help the lungs open and invite new energy in.
The Large Intestine works alongside the lungs, helping us physically and emotionally let go. When we hold on to the past — whether through regret, resentment, or fear of change — we may experience sluggish digestion or stiffness in the body. Creating small rituals of release, like journaling or a deep exhale, can support this natural process.
🌱 Wood Element – The Liver and Gallbladder
Emotion: Anger and frustration
Energy: Qi and Hun
The Liver governs the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. When life feels constrained or when emotions are suppressed, Liver Qi becomes stagnant, showing up as irritability, PMS, or muscular tension (especially around the neck, shoulders, and hips). The Liver also stores the Hun, the part of our spirit that gives us direction and purpose. When this energy is balanced, we feel motivated, creative, and decisive.
The Gallbladder, paired with the Liver, gives us courage and clarity. It’s the part of us that takes the vision of the Liver and puts it into action. When Gallbladder energy is weak, indecision or timidity can surface; when strong, it supports confident choices.
The Eyes are considered the “window of the Liver.” Eye strain, blurred vision, or a sense of not seeing clearly — physically or metaphorically — can reflect frustration or a lack of direction.
Hips also belong to the Wood family. Tightness here often represents resistance to movement, a hesitancy to move forward or express emotion. Gentle hip opening, stretching, or fluid massage can help free both physical and emotional flow.
🔥 Fire Element – The Heart and Small Intestine
Emotion: Joy, anxiety, connection
Energy: Shen
The Heart is known as the “Emperor” of the body, governing blood, consciousness, and our sense of joy. It houses the Shen — our spirit — which shines through the eyes when we feel content, connected, and at peace. When the Heart is imbalanced, restlessness, anxiety, or insomnia can arise. Reconnecting through warmth, laughter, and loving relationships nourishes the Fire element and restores calm.
The Small Intestine helps us separate what is pure from what is not — physically through digestion and emotionally through discernment. When this energy is out of balance, confusion and emotional overwhelm may arise.
The Thyroid, though not a traditional TCM organ, resonates with Fire energy and the Heart. It reflects our rhythm and self-expression; imbalance may show up as difficulty speaking our truth or fluctuating energy levels.
Tension in the shoulders or upper back (thoracic vertebrae) often appears when we’re carrying emotional burdens or protecting the heart space — quite literally “shouldering” the weight of others.
The Ears, while primarily associated with Water (Kidneys), also connect to Fire through communication and our ability to “listen” — to others, and to ourselves.
🌾 Earth Element – The Spleen and Stomach
Emotion: Worry and overthinking
Energy: Qi and Yi
The Spleen transforms food into energy and governs digestion, but in Chinese Medicine, it also digests our thoughts and experiences. Excessive worry or mental rumination can weaken Spleen Qi, leading to fatigue, bloating, or a sense of heaviness. Cultivating stillness, eating warm nourishing foods, and grounding ourselves through routine and rest all help bring the Earth element back into balance.
The Stomach partners with the Spleen to process nourishment — both physical and emotional. When life feels “hard to stomach,” nausea or tension can arise. Taking time to pause, breathe, and chew (both food and experiences) more mindfully supports healthy digestion.
The Solar Plexus and Diaphragm sit at the centre of the Earth element, representing confidence, transformation, and emotional assimilation. When energy is blocked here, we may feel powerless or “stuck” in our middle, unable to move energy up or down. Massage and deep diaphragmatic breathing help reawaken this inner fire.
💧 Water Element – The Kidneys and Bladder
Emotion: Fear and insecurity
Energy: Jing and Zhi
The Kidneys are our foundation, storing Jing — our essence and vitality. They govern growth, reproduction, and longevity, and are connected with feelings of fear and safety. When Kidney energy is strong, we feel grounded, courageous, and resilient; when depleted, exhaustion, anxiety, or a lack of willpower may arise. Deep rest, warmth, and nourishing foods help rebuild Jing.
The Bladder reflects our boundaries — physical and emotional. When we push ourselves too hard or hold tension, it can lead to bladder imbalances or lower-back discomfort. Allowing ourselves to pause and release what we no longer need restores Water’s fluid strength.
The Adrenals, though not defined in classical texts, sit atop the Kidneys and are part of this Water system. They respond to stress and survival. When overstimulated, they drain our Jing and leave us feeling wired but tired. Grounding therapies, warmth, and restorative rest can help rebalance them.
The Ears belong to the Water element too. They’re the sensory organ of the Kidneys, reflecting our ability to listen — not just outwardly, but to our inner wisdom. Tinnitus or hearing changes may signal depleted Jing or unprocessed fear.
The Teeth, Bones, and Spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx) also fall under the Kidney’s rule. They represent structure, strength, and ancestral energy. Weakness, pain, or tension in the back often mirrors fatigue or deep-rooted fear. Supporting the Water element through rest, warmth, and nourishment helps restore strength and stability.
Finally, the Knees and Ankles are also connected to Water (stability) and Wood (movement). Issues here may arise when we feel fearful of change or lack confidence in our next steps — quite literally unable to move forward with ease.
✨ A Note on Energy
In Chinese Medicine, Qi is our vital energy that flows through every meridian. Jing is our inherited essence — precious and finite — while Shen is our consciousness and spirit, shining through our eyes when we’re in balance. Yi relates to thought and focus (Spleen), Hun to soul and vision (Liver), and Po to instinct and body wisdom (Lungs).
Understanding these energies can deepen our connection to our bodies. Rather than seeing symptoms as problems, we begin to view them as messages — invitations to slow down, nourish ourselves, and restore flow.
🌸 In Harmony
When we learn to listen to our bodies with curiosity instead of judgement, we begin to understand what they need. A stiff neck may not just be tension — it could be unspoken frustration. Fatigue might not simply be lack of sleep, but depleted Jing asking for rest.
Chinese Medicine reminds us that balance isn’t a fixed state, but a dance between energies — between movement and stillness, doing and being, holding on and letting go. Through awareness, touch, and small daily rituals of care, we can gently guide the body back to its natural rhythm of harmony and flow.
📚 If you’re curious to read more…
Here are a few wonderful resources that explore the mind–body connection through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine:
- Lee, Y.S. et al. (2017). Understanding Mind–Body Interaction from the Perspective of East Asian Medicine. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017.
- Kaptchuk, T.J. (2000). The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Maciocia, G. (2015). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. 3rd Edition. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
