TCM Diagnostic Methods

Pulse & Tongue Diagnosis

Pulse and tongue are used traditionally for the basis of diagnosing TCM patterns. When pulses are taken, we're looking for a "sine wave" that flows from one position to another*. When we're out of balance, the pulse image will show blockages, stagnation and deficiencies and we need to balance it by acupuncture and herbs. The body then gets trained and eventually take over the balancing work.
*Pulse Balancing Mentorship Program with Dr. Martha Lucas

Pulse and tongue diagnoses is actually one of the most complex and important diagnostic techniques we use in Chinese Medicine. Through taking your pulse and looking at your tongue, we obtain an accurate diagnosis of your overall constitution and internal organ health. This information is then translated into a highly effective and individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.

Abdominal Hara Diagnosis

Kiiko Matsumoto Style (KMS) acupuncture is used for many conditions including but not limited to adrenal weakness, immune weakness, digestive disorders, pain management, etc. Diagnoses are made through palpation, a lot of times on the abdominal area where the hara reflexes are. You will notice an instant release of the tender reflexes after some acupuncture points, and that's when your body's Qi starts to flow more freely. This is a Japanese tradition acupuncture style put together by Kiiko Matsumoto, who has extensive work and clinical experiences.
For more information on this style, visit www.KiikoMatsumoto.com.

Questions/Intake

At your first appointment, we will do a thorough intake that allows Emily to know you and your body conditions. Some questions are asked based on TCM theories, and might seem unrelated to what you're coming in for. Because we're treating the root and symptoms at the same time, these questions are just as important.