What your body can tell us

Traditional Chinese Medicine relies on four pillars of diagnosis:

1. Assessment of Symptoms

The main focus lies on specific questions about the current or chronic condition. In addition, detailed information about the patient’s medical history is retrieved, mainly about the digestive and respiratory system, fertility, heat/ cold sensations, sweating, daily habits like sleeping, eating and exercise as well as emotional topics.

2. Listening and Smelling

Volume and sound of the voice, sound of respiration or cough, abdominal noise and body odor provide important information for a basic diagnosis.

3. Observing External Appearance and Tongue

The color of the skin and face as well as the quality of the hair or nails can indicate any kind of imbalance.

The tongue diagnosis focuses on individual characteristics of the tongue such as the size, shape, color, the coating and teeth imprints on the margins of the tongue. The Zàng-fu organs are assigned to different areas of the tongue, for example the tip of the tongue represents the Zàng organ of the Heart. According to the TCM a very red tip indicates heat in the Zàng organ of the Heart which is associated with symptoms like chronic stress, overwork, anxiety, repressed emotions and insomnia.

4. Pulse Diagnosis and Trigger Points (A-shi points)

The diagnosis of the pulse is usually made in three consecutive positions on the wrist (radial pulse), both on the right and on the left hand. The pulse is felt at a superficial, medium and deep level in each of the 6 positions. Each position is related to one of the Zàng-fu organs. Chinese medicine distinguishes between over 28 different types of pulse. Various qualities such as size, strength, speed, rhythm, etc. provide information about specific Zàng-fu organs and the general physical condition.

Furthermore, sensitive trigger points, A-shi points, as well as the examination of the abdomen and back (back shu points) provide important diagnostic information.

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