Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Asking questions, including taking a complete history and reviewing all current symptoms is the first of four steps in diagnosis by Traditional Chinese Medicine.. Listening to the sound of the patient's voice, and detecting breath or body odors adds additional important information to the diagnostic picture. Observation of the color of the patient's complexion, and the shape, color, and coating of the tongue can confirm the findings in the history and symptom review. Palpation of the patients pulse and acupoints gives further confirmation of the locations, pathogenic factors, and treatment methods appropriate to the individual case. In this way, a custom made prescription of dietary changes and therapeutic foods, herbal medicines, and acupuncture can be prescribed based on the patient'a unique condition. Environmental conditions such as wind, heat, dampness, and dryness must be considered as well.