Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

Before the treatment starts, a diagnosis needs to be established. There are four methods used in Chinese medicine diagnosis process:

• Diagnosis through looking: looking is the observation of the tongue, hands, face, nails, skin, the patient’s body type, and the way the patient moves.
• Diagnosis through asking: asking is when information about the existing condition and previous medical history is acquired.
• Diagnosis through listening: Listening includes listening to the response to questions, but also means taking note of the tone of voice, breathing, body sounds, etc.
• Diagnosis through pulse taking and palpation: Palpation mainly involves taking the pulse, but may also include body palpation if appropriate.

The clinical diagnosis and treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine are mainly based on the yin yang and five elements theories. Once the diagnosis is made, there are following options to treat patients: acupuncture, Herbal remedies, Moxibustion, Fire cupping, An-Mo/Tui-Na, Ear Acupuncture. The most common therapeutic modalities are acupuncture and herbal medicine, which have a wide range of applications, they are appropriate for most conditions.
The number of treatments required will depend on the individual – some people will experience great improvements very quickly and others may need treatment over several months. The patients will be advised to attend sessions once or twice a week at first.