Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis
In Chinese sciences, the microcosm and macrocosm are always considered. No person, nor tree, nor disease is an island; we are all interconnected. It is this logic that allowed the art of Chinese tongue diagnosis to develop. The tongue, a muscle crucial for tasting and eating, is often neglected in other medical paradigms. In our clinic, it is a mirror image of the internal bodily functions.
How does it mirror functions? For starters, the appearance of saliva coating the tongue can be an indicator of what’s happening inside your body. A thin, clear coating is a sign of a healthy patient. A darker tongue coating (sometimes even yellow in color) is a sign that there may be an internal disease. This can range from an untreated common cold to diarrhea or menstrual discomfort.
For more in-depth details about the nature of the patient’s complaint, the geography of the tongue is diagnosed. For instance, the tip of the tongue reflects the state of your heart. A red tongue tip is often seen on patients with heart issues or, even anger. The veins under the tongue give us a peek at the state of blood flow. If these veins are puffy or engorged, it is a sign that circulation may not be up to par. Often, this alone can be a key indicator in understanding how to rid the patient of unwanted symptoms. For the patient will puffy or engorged veins, you can move their blood to areas that are undernourished and the pain will decrease.
When looking at the tongue, the patient's age and strength are certainly considered. For instance, children are known to be hyperactive. They are pure joy and always have the desire to play. When this playful energy reaches an extreme it is often expressed in the tongue by being thrust out of the mouth. This can also occur in adults with weak digestive systems. A tongue that quivers is a sign that there may be unwanted movements in the body, such as tremors, seizures, or even a rash that appears on different parts of the skin as it travels through the body.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as well as Japanese Meridian Therapy (JMT), taking the pulse is another key diagnostic tool that allows the practitioner to assess the quality and vitality of Qi (chi) and blood that flows to all the major organs of your body. Along with tongue diagnoses and a general health intake, we can put together a comprehensive assessment of how and why diseases can occur for your individual and the ways in which we can prevent it and even aid in the cycle of healing. By using specific acupuncture points, needling techniques, massage, and custom herbal formulas, we can address many illnesses and ailments.
