 The basics of TCM ( 中医学 ) diagnostics are: observe ( 望 ), hear and smell ( 闻 ), ask about background ( 问 ) and read the pulse ( 切 ). Then a diagnosis is made using a system to classify the symptoms.
A modern cross that is not formal but in China TCM diagnosis is being very heavily influenced by and integrated with western diagnostic thought moving towards total integration of the two systems. Modern practitioners often use the systems in combination to understand what is happening with the patient.
Because traditional Chinese medicine predates the more invasive medical testing used in conventional Western medicine, TCM requires skill in a range of diagnostic systems not commonly used outside of TCM. Much of this diagnostic skill involves developing the abilities to observe subtle appearances; to observe that which is right in front of us, but escapes the observation of most people.
Diagnostic techniques contain the following aspects:
- Palpation of the patient's radial artery pulse in six positions
- Observation of the appearance of the patient's tongue
- Observation of the patient's face
- Palpation of the patient's body (especially the abdomen) for tenderness
- Observation of the sound of the patient's voice
- Observation of the surface of the ear
- Observation of the vein on the index finger on small children
- Comparisons of the relative warmth or coolness of different parts of the body
- Anything else that can be observed without instruments and without harming the patient
 The traditional treatment in Chinese medicine consists of six major methods:
- Tui na ( 推拿 )
- Acupuncture ( 针疚 )
- Moxibustion ( 艾炙 )
- Cupping ( 拔罐 )
- Herbology ( 中药 )
Exercise like Qigong ( 气功 ), T'ai Chi Ch'uan ( 太极拳 ), Kung fu ( 功夫 ) and other Chinese martial arts. Die-da ( 跌打 ): practitioners who specialize in healing trauma injury such as bone fractures, sprains, bruises etc. Some of these specialists may also use or recommend other disciplines of Chinese medical therapies （or Western medicine in modern times） if serious injury is involved. These practices are also seen as health maintenance regimes as well as interventions.
Traditional Chinese medicine uses herbs and other drugs as the last resort to fight health problems. This conforms to its basic belief: a human body has a sophisticated system to find illness, allocate resources and energy and heal the problems by itself. The goal of external efforts should carefully focus on assisting the normal self-healing function of human body, not interfering with it. There is a Chinese saying which reflects the same idea: "Any medicine has 30% poison ingredients."
The modern practice of traditional Chinese medicine is increasingly incorporating techniques and theories of Western medicine in its praxis. |
