TCM Diagnosis
The four diagnostic methods: inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation.
44 articles · Page 1 of 5
The Ten Questions of TCM Inquiry Diagnosis (十问歌): A 300-Year-Old Checklist That Still Works
The 'Ten Questions Song' (十问歌) is a memorized verse that TCM doctors have used since 1746 to ensure no diagnostic information is missed during patient interviews. This article explains each question, why it matters, and how a poem written in the Qing dynasty remains clinically relevant today.
Pediatric Tongue Diagnosis in TCM: Reading Children's Tongues for Health Insights
Learn how TCM tongue diagnosis adapts for infants and children — from newborn coating patterns to toddler tongue colors, and how to read pediatric tongues when young patients can't describe their symptoms.
Sublingual Vein Diagnosis in TCM: Reading the Tongue's Hidden Veins
Learn about sublingual vein diagnosis (舌下络脉诊法), a specialized TCM diagnostic method that examines the veins beneath the tongue to assess blood stasis, circulation health, and organ function — a window into the body's vascular system.
TCM Appetite Diagnosis: What Your Hunger, Thirst, and Taste Reveal
Discover how TCM reads appetite, thirst patterns, taste preferences, and eating behaviors to diagnose organ imbalances. Learn why craving sweets, always feeling thirsty, or having no appetite each tell a specific clinical story.
TCM Skin Diagnosis: Reading the Body's Largest Organ for Health Clues
Learn how TCM uses skin observation — color, texture, eruptions, and distribution — to identify organ imbalances, element patterns, and the depth of disease. A practical guide to understanding what your skin reveals about internal health.
TCM Shen Diagnosis (望神): Observing the Spirit for Health Assessment
Learn about Wang Shen (望神) — the TCM diagnostic method of observing a patient's spirit, vitality, and mental state. Understand the different types of Shen, what they reveal about health, and how practitioners use this ancient technique.
Interior and Exterior Pattern Differentiation in TCM: Understanding Biao Li Bian Zheng (表里辨证)
Learn how TCM distinguishes between exterior (表) and interior (里) disease patterns — the first step in eight-principles diagnosis. Understand where disease lives in the body and how treatment shifts accordingly.
Qi and Blood Pattern Differentiation in TCM: Understanding Qi Xue Bian Zheng (气血辨证)
Master Qi and Blood Pattern Differentiation (气血辨证) — the TCM diagnostic framework that identifies whether disease stems from Qi dysfunction, Blood dysfunction, or both. Learn to recognize Qi deficiency, stagnation, Blood stasis, and Blood deficiency patterns.
TCM Motion Diagnosis (望态): How Movement and Posture Reveal Internal Health
Discover how TCM practitioners assess health through observing movement, posture, and gait. Learn what your walk, stance, gestures, and physical habits reveal about Qi, organ health, and internal patterns.
TCM Palpation Diagnosis (按诊): Beyond Pulse — Pressing, Touching, and Feeling
Learn about TCM palpation diagnosis (按诊, An Zhen), the often-overlooked fourth examination method that goes beyond pulse taking. Discover how practitioners use touch to assess the abdomen, meridians, skin, and acupoints for deeper diagnostic insight.