TCM & Western diagnoses

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Very often in Western-style analysis or a superficial TCM analysis, the

doctor or other healer relies primarily on what the patient reports as the

main symptoms. In a thorough TCM analysis, you don't do this. You ask a

lot of questions and you observe all you can. Competent Western MDs and DOs

also ask questions and observe in order to narrow down possibilities, but in

TCM the healer may have to ask a whole lot of questions in order to exactly

pinpoint the Root or Roots. TCM healers also are observing a lot more than

most Western MDs and DOs (unless they have TCM training in addition to

training in Western medicine).

 

If you've ever had a thorough TCM evaluation you know what I mean by " a

whole lot of questions " . We're talking about pages of questions concerning

every aspect of your life and health. And you may get asked questions that

a Western DO or MD wouldn't ask. Like what is your favorite season of the

year and least favorite season of the year and why? Do you sweat a lot, and

does this occur mainly during the day or mainly at night or during both

times? Do you feel thirsty a lot or seldom, and when you do feel thirsty, do

you prefer cold drinks or hot soups?

 

TCM healers are observing a lot more than Western MDs and DOs who don't have

TCM training. From the time you walk in the door a TCM healer is observing

everything s/he can about you, including how fast or how slow you walk in,

your posture, the loudness or quietness of your voice, your complexion

tones, etc.

 

Not all TCM evaluations will be hour and a half examinations. There are

some cases that are very straight forward and obvious and won't require the

pages of questions. But there are some cases that will - the more complex

(or " knotty " ) ones, especially those that have gone on for a long time and

involve Phlegm problems.

 

Also, the more experienced a healer is the less quesitons s/he may need to

ask. As a healer gains more and more experience, one arrives at the correct

Root(s) quicker and quicker. But, TCM healers will tend to ask a lot more

questions and do a lot more observing than Western MDs and DOs.

 

TCM healers are no more equal than Western MDs and DOs are. Knowledge, skill

levels, and caring differ among TCM healers just like they do among Western

MDs and DOs. And knowledge and skill levels will differ within individual

TCM healers just like they differ within individual MDs and DOs. Some

Western GPS know a lot more about say asthma than about gastrointestinal

disorders, and some TCM healers know a lot more about say Qi Stagnation

problems than about Blood Deficiency problems.

 

Victoria

 

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