Yin Yang

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the theory of yin and yang and the "five phases". A variety of diagnostic procedures are utilized. It boils down to understanding the symptomatology associated with each of the five phases. These phases include fire, earth, metal, water and wood and the yin and yang aspects of each of them. In addition, each organ is assigned to an element and a yin or a yang character. For instance, fire, yin, would describe the heart, whereas fire, yang, would describe the small intestine. The heart and the small intestine meridians are related internally and externally. That is, the small intestine is a yang, an external organ, in that it connects to the outside world through the mouth and anus. It is related to the heart via its connection with fire and the energy flow though the two meridians.

The heart is an internal and yin organ. The yin organs are internal and tend to be solid type organs. The yin organs are the heart, spleen, lungs, kidney and liver. The yang organs tend to be those that are considered more external and hollow. The yang organs are the small intestine, stomach, large intestine, bladder and the gallbladder. By understanding the symptoms of yin and yang and the symptoms of the five phases, or the five elements, one can then properly diagnose which of these various organs and meridian systems might be out of balance and then institute therapy appropriately. The goal of traditional Chinese medicine is to promote the balanced and free flow of chi. Chi is energy, often called "life force" in the West, it is present in all things living or not.

The basic diagnostic interventions of a traditional Chinese physician are:

1. Inspection of the general demeanor, the body language, the skin, the tongue.
2. Questioning the patient about medical history, diet, lifestyle, the patient's current symptoms and history of present complaint and any previous or current medical problems or therapies being received.
3. Listening to the tone and the strength of the voice and also listening to the choice of vocabulary.
4. Smelling the general body odor, the breath and body excretions.
5. Palpation - the pulses, particularly the radial artery in both wrists are considered important diagnostic tools. Palpation of the abdomen and palpation of the acupuncture points along various meridians are also considered important diagnostic tools.