Four diagnostic fingers of traditional Chinese medicine

The four diagnostic methods of TCM are inspection, auscultation, inquiry and palpation. 1. Inspection is to understand the condition by observing the patient's appearance, shape, tongue and other external manifestations. Appearance includes complexion, eyes, etc., which can reflect the ups and downs of qi and blood and the functional status of viscera. Shape can show the development and nutritional status of the body. Tongue image is an important basis for TCM diagnosis. Changes in the color and thickness of tongue coating can indicate different pathological conditions. 2. Smelling includes listening to sounds and smelling odors. Listening to the patient's breathing, coughing and other sounds can determine the location and severity of the disease. Smell the patient's breath, secretions and other odors to help understand pathological changes in the body. 3. Ask the patient's symptoms, medical history, living habits, etc. in detail. This is very important for a comprehensive understanding of the disease and exploring the cause. For example, understand the time of onset, incentives, past diseases, etc. 4. The diagnosis is mainly to feel the pulse, and judge the health status and nature of the disease by touching the rhythm and strength of the pulse. Different pulse conditions correspond to different pathological states, providing important reference for diagnosis and treatment. It should be noted that the four diagnostic methods of TCM are an organic whole, which can be combined and verified with each other, so as to diagnose and evaluate diseases more accurately and provide a solid foundation for subsequent treatment. They embody the unique diagnostic thinking and methods of traditional Chinese medicine. After thousands of years of inheritance and development, they play an irreplaceable role in medical practice.