Tongue diagnosis

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine treatment involves a detailed inspection of the patient’s tongue to obtain diagnostic information about the current condition of the internal organs and related systems. When I ask patients if I can take a look at their tongue many patients that are new to Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine find this request a bit odd. However, they are always good about it and remain open-minded and pleasantly put their tongue on display. Without fail their hesitation turns into curiosity and they must know “what do you see? What are you looking for? Why does it look that way”?

 

An Acupuncture & Chinese Medical View of the Tongue

In Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine the tongue is divided into five different areas.  Each area represents the current state of health of its designated organ and organ system.

The first area is the front portion of the tongue, which is related to the organs of the chest - the Heart and Lungs.         

The second area is the tongue centre, representing the health of the Spleen & Stomach, which equates to the digestive system in Western Medicine.

The third & fourth areas are the sides of the tongue, which pertain to the state of the Liver on the left and the Gall Bladder on the right.

The fifth area the rear of the tongue shows the current health of the Kidneys, Bladder, and Intestines.

 

What is the Acupuncturist Looking For?

When an Acupuncturist inspects a patient’s tongue they are assessing 6 things:

1. The overall color(s) of the tongue body
2. The shape and size of the tongue body
3. The thickness and distribution of the tongue coating
4. The moisture of the tongue
5. The appearance and color of papules on tongue body

The appearance of the tongue is constantly in flux, changes often depend on a number of factors such as: types of foods eaten that day, quality and amount of sleep, emotional state, current health conditions, and the time of the month for women. A person in good health should exhibit a tongue that is supple with a slightly moist pale red body and a thin white coating. Changes in health will reflect in the tongue. For example a person suffering from adrenal fatigue with insomnia may present with a tongue that has a peeled or absent coat, a red dry tongue body and a very red tongue tip. While a person with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have a tongue that is quite pink and pale, with tooth mark indentations along the side borders of the tongue and a thin to thick white or yellow coating.

 

Your Tongue

So what does your tongue look like? I have a challenge for you. Compare your tongue before and after a night at the pub or a night of pizza & wings. You might be surprised at the changes that you see.

For more information or to book an appointment contact my office at (250) 860 2212 or visit our website www.klochiropractic.ca

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.