ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the underlying concepts related to diagnosis of Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine has a long medical practice for over 5000 years, influenced by ancient philosophical thinking including monism of qi, yin, and yang. The traditional categorizations and classifications, which can still be found today, are generalized into pharmaceutical theories in the form of four natures; hot and warm herbs are used to treat cold diseases, while cool and cold herbs are used to treat heat diseases. It is generally considered in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that the function of qi is to propel growth and development. There are several major therapeutic modalities in Chinese medicine. These include the following: herbology, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, exercise therapy, dietary therapy, medical massage and manipulation therapy, and bone setting. Palpation is a form of diagnosis made by feeling and tapping local areas of the body. It includes pulse examination and examination of general palpation of different parts on body surface.
