Four diagnostic methods in traditional Chinese medicine
Author: John
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Time: 2014/9/26 9:49:59
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), four methods of diagnosis are the basic methods of diagnosing illness. The four diagnostic methods refer to "wang, wen, wen, qie", namely observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry and pulse feeling and palpation. And in this article, I will show some basic information of these four diagnostic methods.
Observation
Observation indicates that doctors directly watch the outward appearance to know a patient's condition. As the exterior and interior corresponds immediately, when the inner organs run wrongly, it will be reflected through skin pallor, tongue, the facial sensory organs and some excrement.
Auscultation and olfaction
Auscultation and olfaction refers to the situation in which the doctors listen to the words, coughing and breathing of a patient, and sniff whether his mouth or body smells.
Inquiry
Doctors will ask the patient various questions. Sometimes, the doctor may ask some "unrelated" questions, however, this is necessary. This will help to know where and what the actual or potential problem is.
Commonly asked aspects include: What symptoms (dizziness, pain, urine, bowel movement, fever, sweat, digestion and so on) do you have? How long have you had these symptoms? What medicine did you take? Did you have any diseases before?
Pulse feeling and palpation
To take the pulse and palpation, the doctor notes the pulse condition of patients on the radial artery, and then to know the inner change of symptoms. When a person is in good health, the pulse is slow, steady, rhythmic and strong. A rapid or a very slow pulse will indicate presence of disease. If a patient is very ill, but the pulse is calm and strong, it indicates a chance of recovery. But if the pulse is fine and faint, almost imperceptible, it is a portent of grave consequences.
There are many types of pulse, such as floating pulse, deep pulse, full pulse, fine pulse, feeble pulse, replete pulse and others. The differences are very subtle. Hence diagnosis through pulse taking is not easy to master.
All in all, a consultation with a TCM doctor generally follows the four above mentioned methods. The well-established routine enables the doctor to build up a detailed diagnosis. Once the examination is finished, the doctor will make a diagnosis and prescribe corresponding herbs.