Diagnostics
In order to diagnose an individual’s condition in Chinese Medicine, the following examination methods are utilized:
Inspecting: The precise inspection of the tongue is a very important diagnostic tool in Chinese Medicine. Close attention is paid to the color, shape, moisture, flexibility, texture as well as color of the tongue coating. The face, posture, movement of the body, bodily excrement and sputum etc. are also closely observed, as they provide information on the individual’s vitality.
Listening and Smelling: Listening is utilized to determine how symptoms are manifesting in the body. For instance, the strength of the breath, or the tone/ expression in the voice, or the productivity of a cough etc., display where an individual is in her/ his health situation. Smelling is also an integral part of diagnosis, especially in relation to the symptoms which an individual is experiencing.
Inquiring: Besides discussing the chief complaint and health history of the individual, the classical 10-Questions are also utilized to provide a clear picture of the individual’s health: appetite, thirst, urination, bowel movement patterns, digestion, pain, sleep, sweating, energy levels and temperature. Additional questions relating to women’s health, such as menstrual cycle patterns, pregnancy and birth are also posed.
Palpating and Feeling: Through palpation of different parts of the body, disharmonies in the energy flow can be detected in the meridian or points, as well as in the internal organs. Feeling of the radial pulse (on the wrist) is also one of the main forms of diagnosis in TCM. This form allows the practitioner a very vivid picture of the individual’s organ systems.
Utilizing these diagnostic methods the individual’s overall health picture, sometimes compared to painting a Chinese landscape scene, is then created, taking into consideration an individual’s subjective experience of her/ his condition.
Inspecting: The precise inspection of the tongue is a very important diagnostic tool in Chinese Medicine. Close attention is paid to the color, shape, moisture, flexibility, texture as well as color of the tongue coating. The face, posture, movement of the body, bodily excrement and sputum etc. are also closely observed, as they provide information on the individual’s vitality.
Listening and Smelling: Listening is utilized to determine how symptoms are manifesting in the body. For instance, the strength of the breath, or the tone/ expression in the voice, or the productivity of a cough etc., display where an individual is in her/ his health situation. Smelling is also an integral part of diagnosis, especially in relation to the symptoms which an individual is experiencing.
Inquiring: Besides discussing the chief complaint and health history of the individual, the classical 10-Questions are also utilized to provide a clear picture of the individual’s health: appetite, thirst, urination, bowel movement patterns, digestion, pain, sleep, sweating, energy levels and temperature. Additional questions relating to women’s health, such as menstrual cycle patterns, pregnancy and birth are also posed.
Palpating and Feeling: Through palpation of different parts of the body, disharmonies in the energy flow can be detected in the meridian or points, as well as in the internal organs. Feeling of the radial pulse (on the wrist) is also one of the main forms of diagnosis in TCM. This form allows the practitioner a very vivid picture of the individual’s organ systems.
Utilizing these diagnostic methods the individual’s overall health picture, sometimes compared to painting a Chinese landscape scene, is then created, taking into consideration an individual’s subjective experience of her/ his condition.