Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizies a different language, so to speak, to describe imbalances in the body and mind. What a western medical doctor may diagnose as insomnia, for example, a TCM practitioner might diagnose as Yin Deficiency. Most diagnoses in Chinese medicine are more relational than particular in that they account for the entire set of signs and symptoms a person is experiencing not just the main complaint. For example, if two people are experiencing insomnia they both have the same western diagnosis, however one may have Yin deficiency with some Yang excess and the other person may have all Yin deficiency signs. TCM would apply a treatment protocol for each individual that would account for their set of symptoms but would also treat their insomnia. In other words, in TCM there is not a set treatment for insomnia but a range of diagnoses which contain insomnia as a major indicator.
Below you will find some of the most basic TCM patterns with their related signs and symptoms, tongue and pulse indications, meridian relationships and contributing factors.
|
Qi Deficiency |
Symptoms |
fatigue, loose stools, poor appetite, dizziness, pale face, weak voice/reluctance to speak, sweating with little/no exertion |
pale | |
empty | |
Meridians |
Spleen, Kidney, Lung, & Heart |
Points |
ST 36, SP 6, KD 3, LU 9 |
Factors |
poor diet, over work, psychological stress, old age |
|
Yang Deficiency |
Symptoms |
chills, cold limbs, inability to get warm, loose tools, profuse clear urine, spontaneous sweating, lassitude |
pale w/white coat | |
slow, deep, weak | |
Meridians |
Spleen, Kidney, & Heart |
Points |
ST 36, SP 3, KD 3, CV 4, CV 6, GV 4, UB 23 |
Factors |
poor diet, over work, psychological stress, old age |
|
Yin Deficiency |
Symptoms |
heat in the hands, feet a/or chest, malor flush, night sweats, anxiety, hot flashes |
red w/little or no coat | |
thin, rapid | |
Meridians |
Stomach, Kidney, Liver, Heart, & Lung |
Points |
SP 6, KD 6, CV 4, PC 7 |
Factors |
psychological stress, over thinking, alcohol, spicy foods |
|
Blood Deficiency |
Symptoms |
dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, dry skin a/or hair, poor memory, paleness, fatigue, scanty periods |
pale, thin, dry | |
thin, choppy | |
Meridians |
Spleen, Liver, & Heart |
Points |
ST 36, SP 6, LV 3, UB 11, UB 17 |
Factors |
excessive menstruation, blood loss due to internal medical issues, spleen deficiency, emotional strain |
|
Cold (Excess Yin) |
Symptoms |
chills w/no sweating, lack of thirst, clear urine, aversion to cold, loose stools, fatigue |
pale w/white coat | |
slow, deep, tight | |
Meridians |
Stomach, & Large Intestine |
Points |
ST 36, GV 4, CV 4, CV 6 |
Factors |
arises when cold enters the body and consumes the yang, can arise from internal or external factors |
|
Heat (Excess Yang) |
Symptoms |
agitation, anger, insomnia w/nightmares, fever, red face/head, constipation, desire for cold drinks |
red, dry, w/yellow coat | |
rapid, full | |
Meridians |
Liver, & Stomach |
Points |
LV 3, ST 41, SP 10, KD 6 |
Factors |
excessive diet w/fried foods a/or alcohol, psychological stress |
|
Qi Stagnation |
Symptoms |
distention, pains that move around, depression, irritability |
purple | |
wiry | |
Meridians |
Liver |
Points |
LI 4, LV 3, ST 36, GB 20 |
Factors |
physical trauma, poor diet, depression, opportunistic infections |
|
Blood Stagnation |
Symptoms |
pain that is fixed, stabbing a/or severe, dark complexion, fixed masses, bleeding w/clots, purple lips/nails |
purple | |
wiry, choppy | |
Meridians |
Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine, & Heart |
Points |
ST 36, SP 6, SP 10, UB 40, UB 17 |
Factors |
physical trauma, longer term qi and blood deficiencies, or excesses of hot or cold |
|
Dampness |
Symptoms |
heaviness of the head/body, dizziness, poor appetite, stuffy chest, excessive mucus, poor health |
sticky coating | |
slippery, slow | |
Meridians |
Spleen, Stomach, & Lung |
Points |
ST 36, ST 40, SP 6, SP 9, ST 8 |
Factors |
poor diet particularly with cold/raw foods, over work, damp living/working conditions |
|
Sinking Qi |
Symptoms |
sensations of bearing down, any prolapses, fatigue |
pale | |
empty | |
Meridians |
Stomach, Urinary Bladder, & Governing Vessel |
Points |
GV 20, CV 6, ST 21 (Stomach prolapse), GV 1 (Anal prolapse) |
Factors |
longer term qi deficiency |
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