Making the diagnosis
The acupuncturist devotes a lot of time and attention to making a proper diagnosis. Most people can clearly describe their complaint. This is important information, but not sufficient for the acupuncturist. Seeing the body and mind as one entity, he seeks additional information. He will ask various questions about your physical and mental well-being.
The correct diagnosis consists of four parts that will be explained in more detail below; the conversation, attentive observation, tongue diagnosis, and pulse diagnosis.
The Consultation
If you are visiting an acupuncturist for the first time, he will talk extensively with you about your complaint. But other things will also be discussed, such as your appetite, bowel movements, and sleep patterns. If you are a woman, he will ask about the progress of your menstrual cycle. The acupuncturist also wants to know about your daily schedule, activities, and mood. And whether you are a morning person or a night owl. This broad approach gives the acupuncturist a good understanding of your daily functioning. And from that, he can deduce how your energy balance is doing.
Observing Closely
By observing you closely, the acupuncturist also learns a lot about your physical and mental well-being. Your body language and posture reveal much about how you feel. Additionally, the condition and possible discolorations of the skin, the patterns on your face, and the state of your hair and nails provide a wealth of information about your energy balance.
Tongue Diagnosis
Your tongue provides a lot of information about your health. The acupuncturist checks whether there is a lot or little coating on it. What is the color of your tongue and the coating? Are there cracks or pimples on your tongue? What is the shape of the tongue and how is the moisture?
Pulse Diagnosis
For the acupuncturist, feeling the pulse is a very important way to reach a diagnosis. It goes beyond just 'feeling the pulse'. At each wrist joint, he feels in three places and at three different depths. By accurately measuring the tension, width, depth, and speed at each spot, the acupuncturist learns a lot about the quantity and quality of energy in the various organs.
