The Four Examinations
Classical TCM uses four diagnostic methods: looking (wang), listening and smelling (wen), asking (wen — different character), and touching (qie). Together they build a complete picture of internal organ function, Qi and Blood quality, and pathogenic patterns.
Tongue Diagnosis
The tongue is a window into internal organ health. Practitioners assess its body colour (pale, red, purple, bluish), shape (swollen, thin, cracked), coating (thick, thin, yellow, white, none), and moisture level.
For example: a pale tongue body suggests Blood or Yang deficiency; a red tongue with no coating indicates Yin deficiency heat; a purple tongue points to Blood stasis.
Pulse Diagnosis
The pulse is felt at three positions on each wrist, at two depths — providing 12 readings corresponding to the 12 organ systems. Practitioners assess over 28 pulse qualities: rate, depth, strength, width, rhythm, and texture.
A wiry pulse suggests Liver Qi stagnation; a slippery pulse indicates phlegm or dampness; a thin pulse points to Blood deficiency.
Key Takeaways
- TCM diagnosis looks at the whole person — not just isolated symptoms
- Tongue examination reveals organ health through colour, shape, and coating
- Pulse diagnosis provides 12 readings across 6 organ pairs
- The result is a 'pattern diagnosis' — the root cause driving all symptoms
- Two patients with the same Western diagnosis may have different TCM patterns and receive different treatments
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