The Four Pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are a diagnostic framework that is used to analyze a person’s health and well-being from a holistic perspective.
- Observation: This pillar involves observing the patient’s physical appearance, including their skin color, complexion, and facial features. The practitioner may also observe the patient’s body posture, movement patterns, and other physical characteristics.
- Listening and Smelling: This pillar involves listening to the patient’s voice, breathing, and other sounds, as well as smelling any bodily odors. These observations can provide important clues to the patient’s internal health.
- Inquiry: This pillar involves asking the patient about their symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress levels. This information can help the practitioner understand the underlying causes of the patient’s health issues.
- Pulse and Tongue Diagnosis: This pillar involves feeling the patient’s pulse and examining their tongue. In TCM, the pulse is considered a reflection of the body’s internal organs and systems, and can provide important information about the patient’s overall health. Similarly, the tongue is considered a reflection of the body’s internal organs and can provide important information about the patient’s health status.
The Four Pillars are based on the principles of holism, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and the environment.
