One of the questions I always ask a patient is, “How is your digestion?” and, for the most part, they report that it’s OK. Then, I take their pulse according to Chinese medicine and look at their tongue to see what else I can find out. Both tongue and pulse diagnosis are very accurate in determining the treatment. Looking at the tongue gives a general idea as to which organ is most affected and the prognosis for resolving it. The tongue is the only muscle in the human body we can see. I look at its length, size, shape, color, and any details about the coat. Each one of these things tells me something different. The tongue reveals the quality of blood circulating in the body, how the lymphatic system functions, the presence of yeast or other growths in the body, how a person is digesting, and any longstanding or constitutional conditions.
When you visit your Western doctor, the nurse usually takes your pulse, but it’s only a minor diagnostic tool used mainly to determine heart rate and blood pressure. However, it is very important in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I feel the patient’s pulse and notice not only the rate, but also many other qualities such as its length, width, amplitude, how deep and close to the bone, how close it is to the surface, and its force. Pulse diagnosis gives information on the state of balance of the body as a whole, the state of Qi, yin and yang, blood, the state of individual organs, and even the person’s overall constitution.
Many times, I’ll find that the stomach and spleen pulse are out of balance. That’s when I start to ask more questions about my patient's digestion and general energy level, like “How often do you have a bowel movement?” Some people think it’s normal to only go three or four times a week. Well, guess what? They are constipated. You should move your bowel a few times a day, but not all doctors agree. Bowel health is an important topic as changes in bowel movement can be a sign of a health problem. But before you begin to worry about how “normal” you are, you have to know what a regular bowel movement is for you.
Many people wrongly believe that having regular bowel movements means you move your bowels every day. However, everyone’s bowels are unique to them, and what’s normal for one person may not be normal for another. You can have a bowel movement anywhere from one to three times a day at the most, or three times a week at the least, and still be considered regular as long as that’s your usual pattern. “More or less frequent would be considered abnormal, but not necessarily cause for alarm,” says gastroenterologist Arthur Magun, MD, clinical professor of Medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City. Arthur, I know you are a specialist, but I have found from working with people over the years that, if we can change their patterns to at least having a good, well-formed bowel movement a day, their overall health and vitality improve as well as their skin tone and even their energy level.
If you increase your intake of veggies, drink more water, exercise, and worry less, your overall digestion and bowel movement will improve. I also suggest that my patients take a supplement and lay off the toxins a lot better. http://rechargingqigong.com/qi-essentials-oxy-hydrate.html
I wish you the best in your Health, Wealth, and Happiness.
Dr. Wu Dhi
