Classical Five Element Acupuncture, CFEA, is an ancient Chinese healing system dating back over 2000 years. It is a classical tradition that aims to balance the flow of energy within, working on body, mind and spirit. It addresses the energy’s imbalance, which lies at the root of many physical disorders and conditions of emotional distress.

It is based on the movement of nature through the seasons and their corresponding elements – Fire/summer, Earth/late summer, Metal/autumn, Water/winter and Wood/spring. Each season creates the other, rebalancing and sustaining life. This same principle applies to us as the same cycle of energy affects us and functions within us. When this system is out of balance it can put life under threat – creating disease. Imagine the effects of spring without rain, summer and late summer with their heat wouldn’t be able to nurture growth and produce their fruit. Now imagine the same happening with a person.

By recognising this, the Chinese masters developed a system which bases its treatments on re-balancing the five elements within the energy system, thus as in nature when out of balance it creates disharmony. By touching these basic tools of nature – the elements -, CFEA reaches the inner core of patients - their Spirit, transforming them from the inside out, hence the phrase Rooted in Spirit – Ben Shen.

CFEA was pioneered in the UK , Europe and USA by Professor J. R. Worsley, who taught the majority of experienced practitioners in Britain and America. Professor Worsley carried on working until his death in May 2003, at the age of 79. His wife Dr. Judy B. Worsley who studied with him and assisted him for over 30 years, is now the Master teaching this amazing system of healing.                                                                                                 Ben Shen

picture: ben [root], shen [spirit] - "the therapist must go with all his knowledge and all his power to the Root of                           life and try to move something, to attract the Spirits back and make them work again"               

I am originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I was a journalist working on a weekly news magazine. In 1989 I decided to come to London and learn Mime and Physical Theatre, which I did for a couple of years until a mild injury forced me to stop. Through this injury I came in contact with the Classical Five Element Acupuncture system, which helped me enormously not only with the injury but also transforming the way I perceived myself and the world around me. I felt stronger and more control of my life and my body than I ever had before, and that inspired me to study Classical Five Element Acupuncture myself, so that I could help others in the same transforming way.

I graduated in 1999 from the School of Five Element Acupuncture, Sofea, in London and have been a practitioner ever since. Soon after graduation I was invited to join the team of tutors and the academic board of the school. There I acquired teaching experience and oversaw many practitioners as they completed their training.

As a passionate believer in continuous development and training, I have never stopped enhancing my own skills and knowledge. Since 2002 I have been studying directly with the masters Professor J.R. Worsley and his wife Judy Becker Worsley, Dr. Ac., on the Master Apprentice Program, MAP™. Since Professor Worsley’s death in 2003 I have continued my studies with Dr. J.B. Worsley.

Can I drink alcohol after session?

Anxiety and Panic attacks                                                                                 Arthritis and Rheumatism

Asthma and breathing difficulties                                                                                      Back problems

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome                                                               Cystitis and Urinary Tract Infections

Depression                                                                                 Digestive problems and eating disorders

General aches and pains                                                    Hayfever, skin conditions and other allergies

High blood pressure and Circulatory problems                                                                       Menopause

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – IBS                                                                        Migraine and headaches

PMT and menstrual problems                                                                              Repetitive Strain Injury

Sleep problems                                                                                                         Stress and tiredness

Treatments are designed to meet the needs of every individual person. For that, your first consultation will be up to two hours long, when the practitioner will assess your general state of health and ask about past medical and family history, daily routine, past and present emotional stresses, etc., in order to identify the underlying pattern of imbalance. Through this process he will diagnose the element most in distress within your energy system and treat accordingly, re-balancing and re-establishing the natural movement of the elements within the body. In this way he will treat not just the complaint but the real cause of it.

Acupuncture treats both the symptoms of the illness and its underlying cause. At the start, treatment sessions are normally weekly but become less frequent as you improve. Although sometimes the effects of treatment are dramatic, and only few treatments are required, for some patients, the effects are more subtle and they may need treatment for a longer period of time, varying in regularity. After sessions patients often experience an increased vitality and energy, better sleep and a great sense of wellbeing, and a more positive approach to life and its challenges.