One of the most common questions that patients ask about Chinese Medicine is: “Why does my practitioner check my pulse and look at my tongue?”
Pulse diagnosis is actually one of the most complex and important diagnostic techniques we use in Chinese Medicine. The practitioner places their fingers and press upon the patient’s radial artery on each wrist are done to examine the conditions of the pulse and diagnosis disease. Through feeling and evaluating your pulse, they obtain an accurate diagnosis of your overall constitution, Qi (energy) flow, and internal organ health, among other things.
Tongue diagnosis is an important part of the Chinese medical assessment. During an examination, the practitioner usually looks at the overall tongue coating, shape, and color. Then they look at specific areas on the tongue. Different areas of the tongue are believed to reflect the health of the different organ systems. If there is an unusual color, coating, and/or shape in a certain area, special attention is paid to the corresponding organ system.
The practitioner then synthesizes all of this information into a highly effective and individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Dr. Evan F.J. Murao 