Diagnostic methods of Traditional chinese medicine
During a TCM consultation (Si Zhen), a TCM practitioner will diagnose using a combination of up to 6 diagnostic methods.
Below are the 6 methods and they include inspection, auscultation, olfaction, interviewing, pulse taking and palpation. (1)
Below are the 6 methods and they include inspection, auscultation, olfaction, interviewing, pulse taking and palpation. (1)
- Inspection: visual examination of eyes, tongue, facial expression, lips, complexion, gait, secretion etc. For in-depth tongue diagnosis, click here.
- Auscultation: auditory examination of respiratory rate, voice and how the patient’s breath and cough sounds
- Olfaction: the smell of patient’s breath, and excretion are also taken into consideration
- Interviewing: obtaining medication condition and gathering relevant medical history from patient
- Pulse: palpation of patient’s radial pulse. Pulse can be described as strong, weak dull, superficial, deep, regular, irregular. For in-depth pulse diagnosis, click here.
- Palpation: physical examination to assess severity of edema, swelling, tenderness, pain and muscle tone etc.
Reference:
1. Overview of traditional Chinese medicine. eastwesthealingcenter.net/powerpoint-TCM.ppt. Accessed July 3, 2013
1. Overview of traditional Chinese medicine. eastwesthealingcenter.net/powerpoint-TCM.ppt. Accessed July 3, 2013