Differentation of Syndromes

Differentiation of syndromes is the method in traditional Chinese medicine of recognizing and diagnosing diseases. In accordance with the basic knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, this method entails making a comprehensive analysis of the symptoms and signs obtained by applying the four diagnostic methods, in order to clarify their internal relationships, and as certain their causes and nature as well as the relative strength of the antipathogenic qi and pathogenic factor, and the direction of the pathological development.
Differentiation of syndromes and determination of treatment are inseparable, one relating to the other. The former is the premise and foundation of the later. The methods of treatment, so determined, may in turn test the validity of the differentiation. Correct differentiation is a prerequisite for applying appropriate methods and attaining anticipated results.

There are a number of methods in traditional Chinese medicine for differentiating syndromes, including differentiation according to the theory of the :

• Eight principles
  • Exterior and interior
  • Cold and heat
  • Deficiency and excess
  • Yin and yang
• Qi
  • Deficiency
  • Sinking
  • Stagnation
  • Perversion
• Blood
  • Deficiency
  • Stagnation
  • Heat in the blood
• Zang - fu organs
  • lung
  • large intestine
  • stomach
  • spleen
  • heart
  • small intestine
  • bladder
  • kidney
  • gallbladder
  • liver
• 12 meridians
  • The Lung Meridian of Hand - Taiyin
  • The Large Intestine Meridian of Hand - Yangming
  • The Stomach Meridian of Foot - Yangming
  • The Spleen Meridian of Foot - Taiyin
  • The Heart Meridian of Hand - Shaoyin
  • The Small Intestine Meridian of Hand - Taiyang
  • The Bladder Meridian of Foot - Taiyang
  • The Kidney Meridian of Foot - Shaoyin
  • The Pericardium Meridian of Hand - Jueyin
  • The Sanjiao ( Triple Energizer ) Meridian of Hand - Shaoyang
  • The Gallbladder Meridian of Foot - Shaoyang
  • The Liver Meridian of Foot - Jueyin
• 8 extra meridians
  • The Ren ( Conception Vessel ) Meridian
  • The Yinqiao Meridian
  • The Chong Meridian
  • The Dai Meridian
  • The Du ( Governor Vessel ) Meridian
  • The Yangqiao Meridian
  • The Yangwei Meridian
  • The Yinwei Meridian
• 15 collaterals
• Complicated syndromes
  • Deficiency of both the heart and spleen
  • Deficiency of the qi of the lung and kidney
  • Deficiency of the qi of the lung and spleen
  • Deficiency of the yang of the spleen and kidney
  • Deficiency of the yin of the liver and kidney
  • Deficiency of the yin of the lung and kidney
  • Disharmony between the heart and kidney
  • Disharmony between the liver and stomach
  • Imbalance between the liver and spleen
  • Invasion of the lung by the liver fire
• Differentiation of syndromes according to the theory of wei ( defense ) , qi ( vital energy ) , ying ( nutrient ) and xue ( blood )
• Differentiation of syndromes according to the theory of the six meridians
• Differentiation of syndromes according to the theory of sanjiao

Of these, differentiation according to eight principles is the general method. Differentiation according to the theory of qi and blood and that according to the theory of zang - fu organs are mainly concerned with endogenous diseases, while differentiation according to the theory of meridians and collaterals is principally concerned with disorders of meridians and collaterals. Each method has its own features and lays stress on a particular aspect while connecting with and supplementing the others. It is essential to understand and possess a thorough knowledge, through clinical practice, of the basic contents and characteristics of each method.