I will follow three steps when seeing you for the first time to establish a diagnosis according to the Chinese medicine principles: I will ask you questions, I will look at your tongue and I will listen to your pulses
Diagnosis by asking
The interview takes place during the phone consultation. It is a very important part of Chinese diagnosis to identify the prevailing patterns of disharmony (the imbalances within your body) and, ultimately, find the cause of the disease or condition you want me to help you with.
After asking you to describe your condition in as much details as you can, the interview is traditionally carried out on the basis of questions covering areas such as sleep, diet, lifestyle, pain, menstrual cycle for women, etc.
Looking at your tongue
Tongue diagnosis is also very important, especially in cases of chronic disease, as it helps to understand the underlying constitution of a person. The tongue body shape and colour especially are of great significance. A normal tongue is pale red, with a body shape neither too thick nor too thin, with a thin white coating and the veins underneath the tongue are not distended.
Taking your pulses
This is done on the radial artery of your wrist. By doing so, I am feeling the flow of your blood and trying to build an image of your energy and your body fluids. The pulse can feel strong, or weak, close to the skin or to the bone, rapid or slow, etc. etc and these are all signs to help with the diagnosis.
When listening to your pulses I will establish the Rate, Rhythm (no difference with western medicine there), Depth, Strength, Width and Chinese Qualities.
Putting it all together
The diagnosis is then made by putting together all the elements and signs discovered during these three steps. An initial diagnosis is always a working hypothesis that can be adjusted depending on the response to treatment. Every response to follow up sessions will add information to your diagnosis.
All of this information about you will help me decide on the best course of treatments for your specific condition. This is a very holistic approach to diagnosing a person to restore and maintain health.
Laurence