Diagnostics
>>This material is a compilation of the editor's personal notes, lecture notes, and the following references: 1. Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia 2. Formulas and Strategies by Bensky 3. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and many other texts. Accuracy is not guaranteed. For studying only, not intended as medical advice.<<<
Anger
Symptoms
Red face and eyes, emotional depression, easily angered, dizziness, headache, chest oppression and frequent sighing, distension and pain in the hypochondria and breast area, and plum-pit syndrome. In severe cases, vomiting or cough with blood, or sudden fainting can be seen. Wiry pulse [Qiao]
Pulse
wiry
Bladder Damp Heat
Key Words
Frequent, urgent, burning and painful urination, plus damp-heat signs and symptoms [Qiao]
Symptoms
Frequent urination, urgent and painful urination, dark colored urination, bloody urine. Red tongue with yellow coating, a slippery and rapid pulse, Heat Lin, Blood Lin, Stone Lin, Gao Lin [Qiao]
Tongue
red with yellow coating
Pulse
slippery, rapid
Etiology
Pathogenic damp heat / Poor diet / Alcohol ⇢ damaging Bladder function
Treatment
Clear heat, promote urination, unblock painful urinary dysfunction[Qiao]
Acupunct
BL22, BL63, BL66, REN3, SP6, SP9, ST28 [Qiao]
Herbs
Ba Zhen San, Wu Ling San
Bladder Deficiency Cold
Key Words
Frequent clear and copious urine day or night, incontinence, plus yang deficiency signs and symptoms [Qiao]
Symptoms
Frequent urination with clear urine or bedwetting, intolerance of cold, cold limbs, lassitude, listlessness. A pale tongue with white greasy, and a deep and weak pulse [Qiao]
Tongue
pale, white and greasy coating
Pulse
deep, weak
Etiology
Kidney yang deficiency ⇢ inability to warm bladder
Treatment
Warm yang, tonify Kidneys, Stop urinary frequency and leakage [Qiao]
Acupunct
BL22, BL23, BL28, DU4, REN4, ST36 [Qiao] • KD3
Herbs
Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan, Suo Quan Wan [Qiao]
Bladder Foot Taiyang Channel
Symptoms
Impotence • sole heat • irregular menses • nocturnal emission • frequent urination • enuresis • asthma • edema • dry tongue • hemoptysis • lumbar pain • lumbago • mental restlessness • urine retention • stifling chest sensation • LUO (BL-58): headache • congestion • runny nose • back pain • epistaxis
Notes
5 ELEMENTS: Yang counterpart to Kidney/Water Channel • FUNCTIONS: BL Qi transforms urine
Blood Cold
Key Words
Cold feet, hands, lower abdomen
Symptoms
Cold and pain in feet, hands and lower abdomen which can be relieved by warmth; dysmenorrhea, dark purple menses w clots.
Tongue
Pale
Pulse
Deep/Slow/Choppy
Herbs
Sheng Di Huang, Mu Dan Pi, Chi Shao, Huang Qin, Di Gu Pi, Ou Jie
Notes
Blood cold can lead to blood stagnation
Blood Deficiency
Key Words
Pale, Blurry vision, Insomnia
Symptoms
Sallow complexion, Pale lips, pale gums, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Palpitations, Insomnia, Numbness of hands and feet, Poor circulation, Dark skin, scanty menses or amenorrhea, poor memory, dream-disturbed sleep, pale lips, pale tongue
Tongue
Pale
Pulse
Thready
Treatment
Tonify Blood
Acupunct
ST 36, SP 6, SP 10, RN 12, LI 10, BL 17, BL 20
Herbs
Gou Qi Zi, Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Da Zao, E Jiao, Chuan Xiong
Blood Heat
Key Words
Bleeding, Rash, Mental issues
Symptoms
Mental restlessness, Mania if severe, Dry mouth, Hemorrhage, Excess menstural flow, Rash, Petechia, Epistaxis, Hemoptysis, Hematemesis, Hematuria
Tongue
Crimson
Pulse
Rapid/ Floating
Treatment
Clear blood heat, Nourish blood, Moisten dryness
Acupunct
Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, He-Sea, Ear Apex, DU 14, BL 40
Herbs
Sheng Di Huang, Mu Dan Pi, Chi Shao, Huang Qin, Di Gu Pi, Ou Jie
Notes
Blood heat is very common. For example, a young girl with irregular menses or heavy menses can be due to blood heat because of their excess yang. Blood heat can lead to blood stagnation
Blood Stagnation
Key Words
Pain, aches, dysmenorrhea, dark, purple
Symptoms
Pain (piercing, burning, stabbing) aggravated at night, refuses pressure, worse with exercise, fixed location; dark complexion, purple lips, masses/lumps that do not move, bleeding with dark blood and clots, squamous/dry skin, menorrhagia/amenorrhea/dysmenorrhea. –Liver blood stagnation
–Heart blood stagnation
–Lung blood stagnation
–Stomach blood stagnation
–Intestines blood stagnation
–Uterus blood stagnation
[Qiao]
Tongue
purple or dark spots on side; possible distended purple veins underside.
Pulse
choppy, irregular
Etiology
blood stasis, blood cold, blood heat, Qi stagnation
Notes
Blood stagnation is a pattern caused by many etiology, including blood stasis, blood cold, blood heat, Qi stagnation, etc
Blood Stasis
Key Words
Pain, aches, dysmenorrhea, dark, purple
Symptoms
clots, thrombosis, dysmenorrhea, fixed stabbing pain. Blood stasis can cause blood stagnation.
Tongue
Purple spots
Pulse
Choppy
Etiology
blood stasis, blood cold, blood heat, Qi stagnation
Notes
Blood stagnation is a pattern caused by many etiology, including blood stasis, blood cold, blood heat, Qi stagnation, etc
Chong Channel
Symptoms
Pain in abdomen • ASTHMA • Infertility • Irregular menses • Qi rebellion • Sea of Blood
Notes
CONFLUENCE POINTS: SP-04 + PC-06 (Yin Wei) • POINTS: REN-01, REN-07, ST-30, KD-11, KD-12, KD-13, KD-14, KD-15, KD-16, KD-17, KD-18, KD-19, KD-20, KD-21 • No LUO or Xi-Cleft points • PATH: Lower abs > Perineum > ST-30 > KD channel > Curve around the lips
Cold
Symptoms
EXTERNAL (Cold Attack Exterior) • INTERNAL (Cold Attack Interior, Cold Bi)
Tongue
pale, white coating
Pulse
tight, wiry
Dai Channel
Symptoms
cold water soaking sensation • uterus prolapse • muscle atrophy • Abdominal distention • weak lumbar • leukorrhea • irregular menses • weak lower limbs
Notes
CONFLUENCE POINTS: GB-41 + SJ-05 (Yang Wei) • The only transverse channel • Points: GB-26, GB-27, GB-28 • No LUO or Xi-Cleft points • PATH: Below hypochondrial area (LV-13) > GB-26 to GB-28 > Transversely around the waist
Dampness
Symptoms
EXTERNAL (Dampness Attack the Exterior). INTERNAL (Dampness Invasion, Damp Bi, Damp Warmth, Damp Rash/Eczema)
Tongue
thick, greasy coating
Pulse
soft, slippery
Deficiency Cold
Key Words
cold signs, weakness
Symptoms
Chronic disease states • Relatively longer disease duration • Chills, Headache, Body Ache, Sneezes, Cough, Nasal Congestion or Drip • NO Fever • NO Thirst • NO Sweating • Cold Signs • White Coating • Pale Tongue • Slow Pulse
Tongue
Blue, Pale, Dusky
Pulse
Slow, Weak
Treatment
Warm Cold, Tonify Qi
Acupunct
BL 23, DU 4, KD 3
Herbs
Shen Qi Wan
Deficiency Heat
Key Words
Heat and Weakness
Symptoms
Fever • Thirst • Sweating • NO Cold Signs • Yellow Coating • Red Tip • Rapid Pulse, Weakness
Tongue
Any
Pulse
Thin, Rapid
Treatment
Tonify Yin
Acupunct
BL 52, KD 3, KD 6
Herbs
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan // Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan
Dryness
Symptoms
Warm Dryness, Cool Dryness
Tongue
Dry
Pulse
rapid, thin
DU Channel
Symptoms
opisthotonos • headache • epilepsy • spinal column issues • LUO (DU-01): head tremors • spinal column disorder • heavy head • LUO: (DU-01) spinal column stiffness, heavy head, head tremors • Sea of Yang
Notes
CONFLUENCE POINTS: SI-03+BL-62 (Yang Qiao) • POINTS: DU-01 to DU-28 • SPECIAL CATEGORIES: DU-14 and DU-15 (Sea of Qi), DU-16 and DU-20 (Sea of Marrow) • PATH: 1) Lower abs > Perineum/ Uterus > DU-01 > Scrotum > Spine > DU-15 > Brain > DU-20 > Nose > Philtrum > Upper Lip/Gum, 2) Lower abs > External genitalia > Umbilicus > HT > Throat > Around the mouth > Below mid eyes, 3) Lower abs > Around anus > Spine > KD
Excess Cold
Key Words
cold signs, pale, cold
Symptoms
Chronic disease states, Relatively longer disease duration, Chills, Headache, Body Ache, Sneezes, Cough, Nasal Congestion or Drip, NO Fever, NO Thirst, NO Sweating, Cold Signs, White Coating, Pale Tongue, Slow Pulse, bluish purple lips
Tongue
Blue, Pale, Dusky
Pulse
Slow, Tight, Short
Treatment
Warm Cold
Acupunct
RN 4, RN 6, PC 6, ST 36, Moxa
Herbs
Liang Fu Wan
Excess Heat
Key Words
Heat signs
Symptoms
Fever Thirsty, Sweating, NO Cold Signs, Yellow Coating, Red Tip, Rapid Pulse, red swollen sore throat
Tongue
Red, Big, Swollen, Thick, Yellow
Pulse
Big, Rapid, Surging
Treatment
Clear heat
Acupunct
DU 14, LI 4, LI 11, ST 44
Herbs
Bai Hu Tang
Exterior Deficiency Cold (Wind attack)
Key Words
Chills and Fever • Mild Sweating
Symptoms
• Sudden onset of symptomology • Relatively short disease duration • Chills and Fever, Headache, Body Ache, Sneezes, Cough, Nasal Congestion or Drip
Tongue
Normal, Thin white coat
Pulse
Floating/ Superficial/ Weak
Treatment
Release Exterior, Stop sweating
Acupunct
LI11, LI4, DU14, Cupping
Herbs
Jin Yin Hua, Bo He, Gui Zhi, Xi Xin, Sang Ye
Exterior Excess Cold (Cold Attack)
Key Words
Chills and Fever • NO Sweating
Symptoms
• Sudden onset of symptomology • Relatively short disease duration • Chills and Fever, Headache, Body Ache, Sneezes, Cough, Nasal Congestion or Drip
Tongue
Thin white coat
Pulse
Floating/ Superficial/ Tight
Treatment
Release exterior, Warm cold, Boost yang, Promote sweating
Acupunct
LI 4, LU 7, GB 20
Herbs
Ma Huang Tang
Exterior Heat
Key Words
Chills and Fever • Heat • Sore throat
Symptoms
• Sudden onset of symptomology • Relatively short disease duration • Chills and Fever, Headache, Body Ache, Sneezes, Cough, Nasal Congestion or Drip
Tongue
Thin white coat
Pulse
Floating, Full, Replete, Surging, Superficial, Big
Treatment
Clear heat, Release exterior
Acupunct
LI 4, LI 11, DU 14, LU 7, GB 20, LU 11
Herbs
Yin Qiao San, Gan Mao Ling
Fear
Symptoms
Confusion, panic, overwhelming feelings of fear,
nervousness, paranoia and delusion to be arrested (persecution), alternating pale and flushed face, muscular flaccidity and cold extremities, spermatorrhea, incontinence, and a deep pulse. –Kidney qi deficiency –Heart qi deficiency –Qi descending [Qiao]
Pulse
deep
Fire
Symptoms
Fire - Qi stage, Ying stage, Blood stage, Heart disturbance, Stirring Wind, Toxic heat
Tongue
Deep red, crimson
Pulse
Rapid, excess
Food Cravings
Symptoms
Overindulgence of food that is raw and cold, hot and spicy, greasy and oily, or alcohol
Pulse
weak
Food Stagnation
Key Words
distending pain, foul stool
Symptoms
Rotted smell in the mouth, aversion to food, distension / distending pain in stomach, foul smelling stool, indigestion, shortness of breath, chapped lips, belching, thick yellow coating
Tongue
Greasy coat
Pulse
Slippery pulse
Treatment
Move Qi
Acupunct
RN 12, PC 6, ST 36, Inner Neiting (under ST 44)
Herbs
Bao He Wan
Gallbladder Foot Shaoyang Channel
Symptoms
pain in outer cantus • bitter taste • headaches • blurred vision • pain in axilla, jaw, lateral chest, supraclavicular fossa, hypochondrium, thigh, and lower limbs • LUO (GB-37): foot coldness • lower limb paralysis • inability to stand
Notes
5 ELEMENT: yang counterpart to Liver/Wood channel • FUNCTIONS: Stores bile • Provide Qi to sinews for movement
Gallbladder Heat
Key Words
Jaundice, alternating chills and fever, thirst and desire to drink water [Qiao]
Symptoms
Acute, jaundice, fever or alternating chills and fever, a bitter taste in the mouth, frequent sighing, unceasing retching, hyper-tonicity and pain below the ribs, yellow urine, bound stools, a red tongue with yellow coating, and a wiry and rapid pulse [Qiao]
Tongue
Red with yellow coating
Pulse
Wiry, Rapid
Etiology
Pathogenic heat/ emotional stress ⇢ Qi stagnation ⇢ Heat
Treatment
Clear GB heat
Acupunct
BL18, BL19, GB43, GB34, LI4, LI11, LV4
Herbs
Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Da Chai Hu Tang, Wen Dan Tang
Gallbladder Phlegm Heat Stagnation
Key Words
Timidness, easily startled, insomnia [Qiao]
Symptoms
Dizziness, tinnitus, bitter taste in mouth, chest distress, hypochondria distention, timidness, easily startled, insomnia, and dream disturbs sleeping. Red tongue with thick yellow greasy coating, a slippery and wiry
pulse[Qiao]
Tongue
red, thick yellow greasy coat
Pulse
wiry, slippery
Etiology
Emotional stress ⇢ Qi Stagnation ⇢ Phlegm ⇢ Heat/Fire disturbing the Gallbladder
Treatment
Drain phlegm
Acupunct
4 gates, ST40, GB24, GB34, SP9, LI4, LI11, LV3, ST19, SJ6, REN12
Herbs
Wen Dan Tang, Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Notes
AKA: Heat phlegm in the Gallbladder, Depressed Gallbladder with Phlegm Harassing
Gallbladder Qi Deficiency
Key Words
Timidity, easily startled, suspicion and lack of courage, plus qi deficiency signs and symptoms [Qiao]
Symptoms
Dizziness, blurred vision, nervousness, timidity, propensity towards being easily startled, suspicion, lack of courage and initiative, difficulty making decisions when needed, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep,
shortness of breath, pale tongue, thready and wiry pulse, or weak pulse.[Qiao]
Tongue
Pale
Pulse
Wiry, Thready, Weak
Etiology
Caused by Gallbladder qi insufficient, where Gallbladder fails in judgment and decision making.
Treatment
Tonify Qi
Acupunct
BL18, BL47, GB40, LV8, REN4, SP6, ST36
Herbs
Ding Zhi Wan, Wen Dan Tang, An Shen Ding Zi Wan