The Path We Choose

What Chinese Medicine Teaches Us About Why We Choose the Roads We Walk

By Maria Chah, DOM, AP& Jennifer Troyan

Most of us sense that we’re on a path - sometimes chosen with purpose, other times stumbled upon. But beneath the everyday decisions we make lies something deeper: an inner compass guiding the soul, mind, body, and spirit toward discovery, healing, and truth.

Chinese medicine has explored this mystery for thousands of years. While it may seem mystical, its wisdom is grounded in understanding the human experience - not just the physical body, but the energetic and emotional layers that shape who we become.

The Body’s Hidden Language

At first glance, humans seem similar: two eyes, one heart, bones, muscles, sensations. But in Chinese medicine, each of us carries a unique vibrational frequency - an energetic signature shaped by our experiences, emotions, and ancestry.

When you walk into an acupuncture clinic, your practitioner isn’t just asking, “Where does it hurt?”
They’re tuning into your frequency and learning:

Is your energy blocked?
Is it overflowing?
Is it depleted?

Using this energetic language, acupuncture aims to fine-tune your system - like adjusting the strings of an instrument back into harmony.

The Five Elements: Five Steps on the Path Home

Chinese medicine describes five “emergences,” or stages of human expression, each connected to an element and an organ system. Together, they guide us back to our authentic self - the place within that knows our purpose.

1. Water - The Will: “I Am. I Will. I Must.”

Your journey begins in the Water element, governed by the kidneys.
This is your instinctive wisdom - the part of you that knows without words.

When we resist this inner voice, we fall out of alignment.
When we follow it, life flows more naturally.

2. Fire - The Heart’s Passion

Water gives us direction, but Fire gives us passion.
This is the spark that excites us, inspires us, and keeps us up at night in the best way.

When we ignore our passions, the heart feels heavy, bonds weaken, and we lose the ability to love fully - others and ourselves.

3. Wood - The Liver’s Vision

The liver is the planner, the strategist, the “general.”
It protects the heart by clearing the path ahead.

When Wood is balanced, we channel our drive into meaningful action.
When it stagnates, we feel stuck, irritable, or blocked from moving forward.

4. Metal - The Lungs and the Truth

Metal governs justice, integrity, and truth. It sharpens us with clarity.

This is the moment we ask:
“Am I being true to myself?”

When Metal is imbalanced, we collapse inward - grief takes over, breath becomes shallow, and life feels heavy.
But when Metal is strong, we stand tall in our truth and breathe life back into our purpose.

5. Earth - The Center of Selflessness

Earth energy nourishes us - and everyone around us.
It grounds us in service, compassion, and community.

But Earth can also cling to comfort.
Sometimes we avoid change because it feels safer to stay where we are.

And that’s when we must ask:

“Does this path align with who I really am?”

 

The Real Journey: Returning to Your Source

Every element, every organ, and every emotional response is part of a bigger cycle - one that continually guides us back home to ourselves.

We don’t always choose the easy path.
Sometimes we wander.
Sometimes we climb mountains only to discover another valley.

But the wisdom of Chinese medicine reminds us that all energy returns to its original source.
Your purpose, your authentic vibration, your true path - they’re always calling you back.

And the more we listen, the clearer the way becomes.

What path are you on for 2026?

As we start the new year, think about how to honor your body from a virtuous place. Meaning, take time to care for your body.

To honor your body from a virtuous place means caring for yourself because you value the life and spirit you carry - not out of pressure, guilt, or self-criticism.

It’s choosing to:

  • Eat in a way that nourishes, not just satisfies cravings
  • Rest to restore your energy, not just escape fatigue
  • Move your body with gratitude, not punishment
  • Protect your mental and emotional peace, not ignore it

Are you eating well, doing body work, improving/maintaining your health, treating ailments and treating yourself well? This approach shifts healthy habits from chores into meaningful acts of respect and stewardship - treating your well-being as something worth protecting every day. Take time for YOU.

Resources

  • Check out the website for more articles. There’s a ton of content and something interesting for everyone.
  • Books: I Ching (book of divination that provides guidance) & Tao Te Ching (book of philosophical and spiritual teachings). Both ancient Chinese texts.

We thought we’d bring you “behind the scenes” and share a bit of our process, in case you were wondering. 😊

Jenn on the left & Dr. Maria on the right

We meet every month and discuss the upcoming article over dinner. We went to a restaurant recently in Boynton Beach, Florida to talk about this article and were really inspired by the setting plus the incredible meal got us jazzed up! While talking about “the path you choose,” and looking at the wallpaper we noticed pathways in the village scenes. So much so that the village images in this article are of the wallpaper featured in the restaurant. Call it kismet, subliminal inspiration or universe magic - it all came together, and we have been so excited to share this heartfelt article.

Shoutout to the restaurant: https://www.kl98hotpot.com/

Hot Pot is a style from China and is an interactive experience. You cook the ingredients you select in a simmering broth at your table. Absolutely delicious!

Happy New Year!

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Good health to you all!

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Information in this article and on this website is intended for informational or educational purposes only. This information does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions about a medical condition, always seek the advice of a doctor or other qualified health professional.

To learn more about our services, please contact our office at 561-249-0447 for a consultation on how to start your annual wellness optimization. During the consultation, we can provide guidance on the best treatment modalities to improve or enhance your state of wellness the TCM way.

Your health team: Chah Acutherapy - We are here for you.