Diagnosis consists of recognizing the signs and symptoms of a disease. It is essential for therapy to make a correct diagnosis in order to treat. There are symptoms that may have different causes, and although there may be acupuncture points that relieve isolated symptoms, if you do not treat the cause, the underlying imbalance, the problem is not resolved.
In current Western medicine we have technological and chemical resources that allow us to perform blood tests, check the state of our organs and bones, lists of signs and protocols to diagnose pathologies and treat them.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has other tools to receive information about the patient's state and diagnose their pathology. Resources such as observing the patient's external appearance, listening to their voice and sounds, perceiving their odors, palpation. Questioning the patient also provides us with information. With the data collected, it is necessary to interpret them correctly to make a diagnosis. Understanding the meaning of the signs we observe. With a clear diagnosis, the most appropriate treatment can be chosen.
- Inspection. Everything we can observe: the external appearance, the Shen, the tongue.
- Listening and smelling. How to interpret the person's sounds and odors.
- Interrogation. The ten basic topics to ask about.
- Palpation. Palpating the skin, points, abdomen and the pulse.
Types of diagnosis
- Eight Principles diagnosis. Diagnosing according to interior/exterior, cold/heat, excess/empty, Yin/Yang.
- Four Levels diagnosis. Febrile diseases caused by heat.
- Six Levels diagnosis. The Yin Yang doors and hinges.
Related topics
- Qi Xue diagnosis. It clearly differentiates the functions of the vital substances.
- The causes of disease. Activity, rest, diet, emotions and climatic energies.
- Phlegm - Dampness - Oedema.