Acupuncture Diagnostics

Acupuncture Diagnosis is a set of examinations included in Traditional Medicine carried out as an analysis of a patient’s condition and qualification for acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture Diagnosis is required in our office just like the First TCM Visit for all medical procedures.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TMC) is a comprehensive system of medicine that has its roots in ancient Chinese traditions and philosophy. The TMC philosophy is based on an understanding of the human body as a holistic energy system that strives for harmony and balance.

TMC has several key philosophical concepts that shape its approach to health and illness:

Qi (life energy): Qi is the basic energy force that flows through our body. In TMC, it is believed that illness is the result of a disturbance in the flow of Qi. The purpose of the therapy is to restore proper Qi flow and energy balance.

Yin and Yang: Yin and Yang are two complementary and interdependent forces in the universe. In the human body, Yin and Yang represent different aspects, such as cold and heat, dark and light, internal and external. The balance between Yin and Yang is important for maintaining health.

Five elements: The five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) represent different processes and functions in the body. Według TMC, harmonijne działanie tych elementów jest niezbędne dla zdrowia. Disorders in the five elements can lead to disease.

In practice, TMC uses various diagnostic methods, such as pulse analysis, tongue observation, patient anamnesis, and evaluation of meridians and acupuncture points. TMC therapy includes various techniques such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapy, massage, qigong and tai chi.

The goal of Traditional Chinese Medicine is not only to treat the symptoms of disease, but also to restore harmony and balance to the body, mind and spirit. TMC is widely used around the world as an alternative form of therapy and is often integrated into the conventional health care system.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses various diagnostic methods to assess a patient’s health and identify energy disorders. Below I outline the basic principles of TCM diagnostics:

Observation: TCM diagnosis begins with patient observation. The therapist evaluates the patient’s general appearance, skin, eyes, tongue, as well as the patient’s body appearance and movements. Changes in these elements can provide information about the body’s energy status.

Pulse examination: Pulse examination is an important diagnostic tool in TCM. The therapist evaluates various features of the pulse, such as speed, depth, rhythm and quality, to assess the flow of energy (Qi) and the condition of the various organs.

What the Pulse Study at TCM is all about

Language assessment: Language reflects the patient’s condition. The therapist analyzes the color, moisture, drape, shape and other features of the tongue to assess organ health and energy flow.

Patient anamnesis: Thorough patient interviews are important in TCM. The therapist asks about symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, eating habits and other factors that may affect health.

Evaluation of meridians and acupuncture points: Meridians are energy pathways in the body, and acupuncture points are special points on these meridians. The therapist can assess the meridians by touching and applying pressure to various acupuncture points to identify energy imbalances.

During a TCM diagnosis, the therapist integrates these different methods and analyzes the information gathered to understand the causes of energy disorders and develop a personalized treatment plan. It is also important to continue monitoring the patient during therapy to assess response to treatment and adjust it as needed.

Observation (Wang Zhen) is one of the main diagnostic principles in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is the process of carefully observing the patient to identify external features that can provide information about the state of health and possible energy imbalances.

As part of the observation, the TCM therapist analyzes various aspects of the patient, such as:

General appearance: the therapist observes the patient’s posture, gait, gestures and the way he or she moves. Unusual movement patterns or postures may indicate some energy imbalance.

Skin: The therapist evaluates the color, texture, moisture content and elasticity of the skin. Changes in these aspects can indicate various health conditions, such as too much moisture, dryness or heat imbalance.

Eyes: The therapist analyzes the colors of the iris, the whites of the eyes, the skin on the eyelids, and the quality and quantity of tears. This can provide information about the condition of internal organs and possible energy problems.

Iridology Diagnostics

Tongue: the study of language is an important part of observation in TCM. The therapist evaluates the color, shape, drape, moisture content and other features of the tongue. Changes in these aspects can indicate organ dysfunctions and energy imbalances.

Other features: The therapist may also observe other features, such as facial shape, seborrhea, tongue warts, degree of sweating, nail condition and many others that may provide additional clues to the patient’s health.

Observation is a key diagnostic tool in TCM and is used in all cases, regardless of the type of ailment. The therapist analyzes the information gathered from other diagnostic methods, such as pulse testing, anamnesis and meridian assessment, to get a more complete picture of the patient’s condition and tailor an appropriate treatment plan.

Gathering information on symptoms and medical history is one important step in the diagnosis of TCM. According to TCM principles, health is a state of harmony and balance between different aspects of the body, including between organs, meridians and Qi energy. Therefore, TCM diagnosis is based on an analysis of symptoms, as well as medical history, lifestyle, nutrition, emotions and other factors affecting the body’s balance. During a TCM diagnosis, the doctor interviews the patient in detail, examines the patient’s pulse and tongue to obtain information about the state of the internal organs, and uses various palpation and visual techniques to assess the patient’s energetic state. Based on the information gathered, the TCM doctor is able to diagnose the problem and adjust the appropriate treatment to restore the body’s energy balance.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis of diseases and disorders is based on identifying energy patterns that reflect energy imbalances in the body. TCM has a different way of understanding diseases and follows its own terminologies and concepts. Here are some examples of ways to diagnose diseases and disorders in TCM:

Identification of energy patterns: The TCM doctor analyzes the information gathered from various diagnostic sources, such as observation, listening and smelling, questioning and interviewing, pulsology and palpation. Based on this information and in accordance with TCM principles, the doctor identifies the energy patterns present in the patient’s body. Examples of energy patterns include excess Qi (vital energy), lack of Qi, stagnant Qi, excess blood, lack of blood, stagnant moisture, excess cold or heat, etc.

Five Element Analysis: TCM uses the Five Element Theory, which refers to the five basic elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – and their interactions. A doctor can diagnose diseases and disorders based on the relationship between the various elements. For example, an excess of Wood energy can lead to aggressiveness or headaches, a lack of Fire energy can manifest as pallor or depression.

Diagnosis according to internal organs: In TCM, each internal organ has its own specific functions and energetic properties. The doctor can diagnose diseases and disorders by identifying dysfunctions of specific organs. For example, excess liver energy can cause headaches or excessive irritability; lack of spleen energy can lead to weakness and fatigue.

Yin and Yang Theory: TCM is based on the theory of Yin and Yang, which represent two opposing and interdependent forces. A doctor can diagnose diseases and disorders based on the imbalance between Yin and Yang. For example, an excess of Yang can cause fever, an excess of Yin can manifest as coldness and dampness.

Once a diagnosis is established based on the identification of energy patterns, the TCM practitioner develops a treatment plan, which may include acupuncture (selecting the right points and treatment regimens), herbal medicine (selecting the best herbs and supporting herbal blends).

Dietetics in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a key role in maintaining health and treating disease. In TCM, diet is seen as an important factor affecting the body’s energy balance. Here are some key principles of TCM dietetics:

Harmony of Yin and Yang: TCM emphasizes maintaining harmony between Yin and Yang in the diet. It is important to have a balanced diet that includes both cooling (Yin) and warming (Yang) foods, tailored to the body’s individual needs and conditions.

Five Tastes: TCM recognizes five tastes – sour, bitter, sweet, pungent and salty – which have different energy properties and affect different organs. The diet should include a variety of flavors to promote energy balance.

Foods based on the Five Elements: TCM combines diet with the Five Elements theory, matching foods to the appropriate elements. For example, in the case of excess wood energy, you may be advised to eat foods associated with the Earth element, which have a harmonizing effect.

Herbs and spices: In TCM, many herbs and spices have healing and energetic properties. Adding the right herbs and spices to meals can support the healing process and maintain energy balance.

Individualize your diet: TCM emphasizes a personalized approach to diet, taking into account your health, body constitution, season, climate and other factors. Therefore, the diet at TCM is tailored to the needs and conditions of the individual patient.

Some dietary recommendations in TCM may include:

1 Eating fresh, seasonal and local foods.
2. Reduce consumption of processed foods and chemical additives.
3. Avoiding cold and raw foods, especially if the body is weakened.
4. Proper food preparation, such as cooking, stewing or baking.
5. Adjust the diet according to symptoms and conditions, for example, recommending eating moisture-relieving foods when there is excess moisture in the body.