What is the Origin of Pattern Differentiation?

This systematic diagnostic approach has been refined over millennia, with its principles meticulously codified in classical TCM texts, providing a robust framework for clinical decision-making. The term "differentiation" refers to the process of distinguishing between various clinical presentations to arrive at the correct, comprehensive pattern diagnosis.

What is the Mechanism of Pattern Differentiation?

The mechanism of this diagnostic system requires the practitioner to correlate symptoms related to digestion, sleep, emotional state, and menstrual cycles with the functional systems of the Zang-Fu organs, such as the Kidneys, Liver, and Spleen. By identifying the root pattern of imbalance, such as a deficiency of Yin or an excess of Dampness, the clinician can formulate a highly individualized treatment strategy aimed at restoring the body's inherent systemic equilibrium rather than simply suppressing symptomatic manifestations.

Pattern Differentiation

Meaning

Pattern Differentiation is the fundamental diagnostic methodology of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which involves synthesizing a patient’s entire constellation of signs, symptoms, pulse qualities, and tongue findings into a specific, identifiable syndrome or “pattern” of underlying systemic imbalance. This holistic framework moves beyond a single Western disease label to describe the dynamic disharmony within the body’s functional organ systems, such as Spleen Qi Deficiency or Liver Fire. It provides a sophisticated lens for understanding the complex, interconnected nature of hormonal and metabolic symptoms.