"Black Box" Principle (02:46)

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Like an orchestra, the human body is more than a sum of its parts. TCM strives to restore the balance when disrupted, looking at disease, symptoms and syndromes. Ancient physicians believed the exterior reflected the interior.

Four Examinations (02:25)

Ancient physician Bian Que developed observation, listening or smelling, asking, and palpation methods for diagnosis. Learn about TCM similarities to the biological holographic theory.

Comprehensive Analysis (01:47)

Chinese physicians have embraced modern technology to aid diagnosis, but also rely on extensive knowledge and complete patient information.

Disharmony Patterns (02:04)

Chinese physicians use the four examinations to interpret signs and symptoms of yin and yang disharmonies. Hear possible cold virus causes. Differential diagnosis goes beyond pinpointing affected body parts by identifying the nature of the disease.

Patient Examination Questions (02:45)

Physician inquiries may seem confusing or irrelevant, such as asking about personal relationships, but they are part of a comprehensive mental and physical health analysis.

Patient Observation (03:09)

Observation is the least intrusive way of obtaining patient information. Parts of the eye and tongue represent internal organs. Chinese physicians discourage tongue cleaning, which affects diagnosis.

Pulse Taking (04:47)

Wang Shuhe first recorded pulses in the third century. Hear what the 28 different pulses reveal about organ conditions. Reading pulses can be compared to playing a zither; hear indications of fast, slow and "slippery" pulses.

Listening and Smelling (01:29)

Chinese physicians listen to the patient's voice, speech, and breathing; they also smell secretions and body odor. The four examinations assist in restoring harmony and balance.

Credits: Diagnosis (00:29)

Credits: Diagnosis