Introduction to tongue and pulse Flashcards
(38 cards)
Why do you use tongue and pulse?
-a pillar in diagnosis
-remarkably reliable ( reflection of the true condition of the body)
-useful for moitoring the improvement of decline in patients condition
-Pulse: assess whats happening internally
What five things do you look at while examining the tongue?
-Body colour
-body shape
-tongue coating
-tongue moisture
-spirit/shen
Tongue body colour
Colour of the tongue itself beneath the coating
-reflects the condition of the yin organs, blood, and nutritive Qi
Tongue body shape
Consistency, texture, and mobility
-observing whether the tongue is thin swollen, long or short, and whether specific parts of the tongue are swollen
-features of the tongue
Tongue coating
fur or moss
-tips of the papillae of the tongue
-physiological byproduct of the stomach’s digestion
-can provide information about a variety of internal conditions
Tongue moisture
Indication of body’s fluids
=dry, moist, wet
What should a normal tongue look like?
Colour: pale red and “fresh-looking”
Shape: Supple, neither too flabby nor stiff, Not cracked, does not tremble or quiver when extended, and neither swollen or thin
Coating: Thin and white
Moisture: Slightly moist, neither too dry or wet
Spirit/shen: Radiant, brilliant
Pulse diagnosis
-State of the balance in the body as a whole (Qi, blood, Yin, Yang)
-State of individual organs
How do TCM practitioners note the pulse?
Feel for width, amplitude, length, how close to the surface, how deep and close to the bone, the strength, and other qualities
Note the photo, and study the points.
Study
How do you take the pulse?
3 fingers on the radial artery of your patient
(patient should be relaxed, neither tense nor flaccid)
middle finger at the styloid process
Describe YIn
-cool/cold
-dark
-moist/wet
-decay
-rest
-night
-moon
-feminine
-an abundance of sustenance
-nurturing
-dense/heavy
-down/descending
-overcast weather
-cloudy
-negative electrical charge
-shady
-grows
-matter
-produces form
-contraction
-below
-water
-material
What are the seasons of yin?
Winter & autumn
Describe yang
-warm/hot
-light/bright
-dry
-activity
-male
-up/rising
-Immaterial
-positive electrical charge
-sun
-energy
-fire
-expansion
-generates
-above
What are the seasons of yang?
Summer & spring
What is TCM?
-an ancient natural form of healing that recognizes the inseparable relationship of body, mind, spirit, and nature
-concepts of harmony and dynamic balance from observing nature
When does acupuncture and traditional chinese herbs date back to?
2,200 years (3000-5000 years)
What is the earliest known written record of TCM?
Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) 3rd century BCE
What concepts were established firmly in the Han Dynasty?
Yin and Yang theory
Five elements
Channel theory
Pharmacopeia
What is the earliest reference to the yin and yang theory?
Book of changes
What are the principles of TCM?
-Your body is integrated as a whole
-Connection to nature (ex: takes particular season, geographical location, time of day, age, genetics, and the condition of the body into consideration)
-Innate self-healing (the body has a microcosm that reflects the macrocosm)
-Prevention is the best cure
-balance
-treat the patient not the disease
What are some TCM methods of treatment?
-Acuouncture
-Cupping
-Botanical
-Moxibustion
-Massage
-Nutrition
-Bleeding
-Gua Sha
-Tai chi and Qi gong
Yin and yang theory is also known as what?
Taiji
What are some functions of yin?
-cooling
-nourishes
-provides space for rest
-substance that is moved
-creates the space for conception
