Though some TCM hospitals are equipped with modern examination
machines, experienced TCM doctors still rely on four basic
diagnostic tests in their treatment of common illnesses, writes
Zhang Qian.
Without X-ray photography or stethoscope, traditional Chinese
medicine developed four diagnostics through long practice, namely,
inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiring, and palpation
and pulse-feeling.
TCM believes in a close relation between the outside of the
human body and the organs inside. The changes of vital energy,
blood, yin and yang of the organs usually reflect on the body
surface.
Inspection is observing the changes on the relevant regions of
the sufferers' body and the changes of excretion of them to
understand the state of pathological changes.
Vitality and mental state, skin color, physical condition and
the tongue are the most frequently inspected regions that tell
one's health condition. For example, the color of a healthy
person's tongue is light red, indicating his or her vital energy is
strong and the organs and blood circulation are healthy. Changes in
the tongue color usually reflect chronic illness.
Auscultation and olfaction usually include two aspects -
auscultation of voice and olfaction of odor which includes hearing
the changes in sounds of speech and breath of sufferers and
smelling the changes of odor of the mouth and the odor of
excretions.
Inquiring is asking the sufferer and his or her companion
questions about the symptoms the sufferer feels, present medical
history, past medical history and other related matters.
Perspiration, defecation, urination, taste for food, and condition
of sleep are all frequently asked by a TCM doctor in diagnosis.
Palpation and pulse-feeling are also essential in TCM diagnosis.
Palpating the chest, abdomen, hands, feet, skin and other regions
can help the doctor know about the condition of an organ by
touching it across the skin; while feeling the suffer's pulse can
help the doctor determine the condition of vital energy and blood,
organism, and organs.
Though some TCM hospitals nowadays are equipped with modern
examination machines like X-rays or CT to help determine certain
diseases, the four diagnostics are still the main methods for
experienced TCM doctors in diagnosing common illnesses.
As most TCM diagnostics are based on the signs shown at the
outside body, the result may be easily influenced by some "fake"
appearance. For example, make-up may deceive even the most
experienced doctor as it changes the signals of illness shown on
your face.
(Shanghai Daily September 25, 2007)
