Unlocking Health Secrets with TCM Tongue Diagnosis

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TONGUE DIAGNOSIS 👅

IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) 

I'd like to shed some light on an essential aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – Tongue Diagnosis. As a licensed acupuncturist, I ask my patients to show me their tongues before each treatment, and you might wonder why. It's not a magic trick, but a vital diagnostic tool that reveals the inner workings of your body! Let's explore the significance of this ancient diagnostic method.

In Chinese Medicine, particular tastes relate to different organs and elements; bitter relates to Fire and the Heart, salty to Water and the Kidneys, Sweet to Earth and the Spleen (often thought of as the digestive system and pancreas), and Pungent to Metal and the Lung. 

Tongue diagnosis is used in other medical systems such as Ayurveda and even by the historical Greek physicians Galen and Hippocrates. When TCM doctors ask to see your tongue, we only look at your tongue – no touching or poking. As we examine your tongue, we're looking for specific signs and characteristics that help us assess your overall well-being.

In TCM, the tongue is regarded as a mirror to the body's internal health. Our tongue reflects the balance of Qi (energy), Yin, and Yang within us. Your tongue is unique; everybody’s tongue print is as individual as their fingerprint!

What is your TCM doctor looking for?

Coating: The thickness and color of the tongue's coating can reflect your digestive health and the presence of pathogenic factors. Brushing your tongue can alter the natural tongue coating – it is important to let me know if you brushed your tongue, and to avoid brushing in the morning before coming in for an appointment. Texture and Abnormalities: Cracks, spots, or other irregularities indicate internal imbalances. It is normal for me to ask a few separate times to see your tongue because when you extend your tongue for prolonged periods the body color and shape can change.

Color: Your tongue's color can speak volumes. It might be pale, indicating Qi or Blood deficiency; red, suggesting Heat; or even purple, pointing towards stagnation. Whether or not there are other markings, such as dark or red prickles or cracks and fissures, is also very informative. Be aware that certain foods & drinks (even smoking and prescription or street drugs) may also discolor your tongue, and you should always tell your practitioner if you have consumed anything that could affect your tongue’s appearance.

Size and Shape: The tongue's shape and size offer insights into your constitutional strengths and weaknesses. A puffy or swollen tongue, for example, can indicate Dampness or Phlegm accumulation, or may indicate a weak and sluggish digestion. Some features on your tongue may even change from week to week, but many features do not change or change more slowly.

How TCM Tongue Diagnosis Informs Treatment: Tongue diagnosis is never used alone, but certainly it helps guide our personalized TCM approach. A licensed acupuncturist always incorporates a combination of Pulse Diagnosis, questioning and when required, physical examination. We use acupuncture, herbal medicine, and many other techniques and therapies to restore harmony, addressing the root causes of your health concerns. It's about long-term well-being, not just symptom relief.

So, next time your TCM doctor asks to see your tongue, know that they're unlocking the secrets to your health! 🔑