CHINESE INTERNAL MEDICINE AND DIAGNOSIS

The concept of signs and symptoms in Chinese medicine are broader than in western medicine. Whilst western medicine mostly takes into account symptom and signs as objective or subjective manifestations of a disease. Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine take into account many different manifestations. Many of these are not only related to the actual disease process, but also to lifestyle, emotional, diet, and complete history of patient. Over the centuries, Chinese diagnosis has developed an extremely sophisticated system of correspondences between outward signs and the internal organs.

 

There is an old saying, “Inspect the exterior to examine the interior”. According to this basic underlying Chinese diagnosis, practically everything, such as skin, complexion, bones, channels, smells, sounds, mental state, demeanor, body fluids, reflect to some extent the state of the internal organs, and can be used as part of the diagnostic picture. No two individuals are alike, even though they could have the same disease. This does not mean that they should be treated by the exact same procedures

 

When one enters the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine door, diagnosis starts. Observations are recorded and one need not feel ill at ease, for the practitioner is usually highly skilled and can do this at a glance and unnoticeably. Medical history is then taken from each patient and a complete analysis of signs and symptoms from head to toe. In a general sense, the interrogation is the talk between doctor and patient to find out how the problem arose, the living conditions of the patient, the environment. The aim of this interrogation is ultimately to find the cause of the disease, in order for the patient and doctor to work together to try and eliminate or minimize the symptoms. 

 

Finally, the medical examination, which includes the usual palpation, osculation, blood pressure and so on. Lastly, and most important is the tongue and pulse diagnosis. The Chinese have a highly skilled technique for pulse taking, which indicated the state of all the internal organs, body fluids, and emotions. They may take as many as 18 pulse recordings. Once the final diagnosis is determined, treatment commences at regulating the function of the internal organs or other malfunctions that are present

 

Be prepared to spend a good hour in the clinic on your first visit. Most important to remember, is that Chinese Internal Medicine is most concerned with the root cause of disease, and not the progression of illness. It is wiser to prevent and stop illness, and in order to do this, one must know how it started, where it is coming from, and correcting any malfunctions immediately. Masking symptoms is not appropriate or acceptable in Chinese Internal Medical Practice, and is not considered a cure.

Do keep in mind that not all who do Acupuncture are Doctors. Acupuncturists are simply doing pain Acupuncture – “Cook Book Order Style”, while Traditional Chinese Medical Doctors have proper medical background and experiences