Your first visit
On your first visit a detailed medical history is taken, followed by pulse diagnosis, physical examination, including the chest, abdomen, skin and tongue. The quality, rhythm and strength of your pulses will be checked, and the colour, structure and coating of your tongue will be noted. This information will allow Herbalists to make a diagnosis and decide upon treatment.
Your practitioner will explain to you his understanding of your condition and treatment schedule, and prescribe a mixture of herbs tailored to balance disharmony. A herbal formula could contain anywhere from 3 to 25 herbs.
Herbalists Diagnosis
The diagnostic process of Chinese Medicine involves four areas, known as the Four Examinations. These are:
- Observation of the patient's complexion, eyes, tongue, nails, gait (overall physical appearance), openness, and emotional demeanour.
- Listening and Smelling, the focus being on the sound of the voice and breathing, as well as any odours associated with the body, or breath.
- Questioning for information on present and past complaints including appetite, digestion, bowel movement, bladder, sweat, pain, patterns of sleep, family health history, work, living habits, physical environment, and emotional life.
- Palpation, or touching the body to determine temperature, moisture, pain or sensitivity, and the taking of the pulse. The Chinese method of pulse taking involves placing three fingers on each wrist to measure a total of 12 pulses, each associated with a corresponding meridian. Fourteen different pulse characteristics (slow, rapid, full, empty, etc.) are compared with each of the 12 pulses, and are used to determine which organ is not working properly.
Treatments
Treatments aim to adjust and restore the Yin/Yang balance, and may incorporate one or more
therapies, including:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Exercise
- Diet
N.B. We only prescribe Herbal Medicine after consultation with our qualified Herbalist; this is to ensure the
best quality healthcare for our patients.
