fever therapy See ISSEL’S FEVER THERAPY.
Five Elements Air (or metal), water, ether, fire,
and earth, which represent individual and environ-
mental energy and constitution in various Asian,
Native American, and other traditions of medicine.
The Five Element concept is based on the belief
that all people have a connection to and interper-
sonal reaction with the physical and spiritual foun-
dation of nature. In the Tantric tradition (one of the
Indian schools of thought), for example, air is sym-
bolized by a sphere and represents locomotion, fire
is symbolized by a triangle and represents expan-
sion, water is symbolized by a crescent and repre-
sents contraction, and a square symbolizes the
Earth and cohesion. Ether’s symbol is a circle made
with dashes, and its tendency is to provide space.
These relate to individual processes of healing. In
Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, the
Five Elements relate to body types and constitu-
tions, chakras (centers of energy down the midline
of the body from the crown to the base of the
spine), internal organs, and spiritual approaches
and experience. Also in Ayurveda the Five Ele-
ments involve taste testing, that is, a method to
determine how different foods and herbs affect
each person. For instance, Ayurvedic practitioners
believe that an excessive intake of bitter foods and
medicinal herbs may intensify the elements of air
and ether and cause one to become disoriented.
“Hot” foods are said to intensify the fire element
and are not recommended for fiery, hot-tempered,
irritable individuals. Sweets represent earth and
water elements, and, as a result of water and earth
characteristics of leading to growth and the desire
for more, lead easily to obesity. Medicinal herbs
and foods and therapeutic activities such as yoga
correspond to the Five Elements.
The Five Elements also play a role in feng shui,
the Chinese art of placement, in terms of fire,
metal, wood, water, and earth. In one’s environ-
ment, as in one’s personal biopsychosocial intake,
each element must be represented in balance with
the others for an optimal sense of well-being.
See also CHAKRAS; DOSHA; FENG SHUI.
flotation therapy The use of a lightproof, sound-
insulated float tank for the purpose of restricted
environmental stimulation technique (REST), a
deep relaxation modality. The tank holds approxi-
mately 10 inches of skin-temperature water mixed
with Epsom salts to make it five times denser and
more buoyant than seawater. A person gets in the
tank to experience a floating sensation. According
to an article by Barbara Ritacco in the October
2002 issue of Options(West Paterson, N.J.), the cen-
tral nervous system “experiences a dramatic
restriction of external stimuli in the float tank. This
triggers relaxation response by inhibiting the
release of stress-related chemicals such as cortisol.
This, in turn, inhibits the release of neurotransmit-
ters that are associated with distress, with the fight
and flight response, and its consequent muscular
tension and anxiety.... One hour in the float tank
is the physical equivalent of six hours of sleep....
(Other benefits include) an accelerated learning
process (due to the Theta State) and a loosening of
muscles. Flotation therapy helps treat asthma,
digestive tract conditions, cardiovascular condi-
tions, psychological and emotional conditions,
addictions, and chronic pain conditions.” Flotation
therapy is often combined with guided imagery
and music therapy. The article goes on to say there
are no adverse effects of flotation therapy, and
famous advocates include Carl Lewis (in prepara-
tion for the 1988 Seoul Olympics), the Dallas Cow-
boys since 1981, the Australian Institute of Sport
since 1983, and the 2000 USA Olympic Squad. The
average length of a float is one hour, which costs
approximately $45 to $75 per hour.
See also GUIDED IMAGERY; HYDROTHERAPY; MUSIC
THERAPY.flower remedies Also known as “soul therapy,”
the use of flower essences to treat various physical
and emotional ailments. Flower essence remedies
are made throughout the world, including Eng-
land, the United States (California), India, Aus-
tralia, Japan, Africa, and Europe. Among the
literature on flower essence remedies are Flower
Essence Repertory, by Patricia Kaminski and Richard
Katz (The Flower Essence Society, Nevada City,
Calif., 1994); Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating
Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life, by Thomas
Moore (New York: HarperCollins, 1992); and The
Encyclopedia of Flower Remedies,by Clare Harvey and46 fever therapy