There are four basic processes which the Chinese practitioner of medicine will use in order to diagnose illness, the four areas which are known as the four examinations are observation, listening and smelling, questioning and palpitation.

Observation

This part of the examination will begin the moment the patient walks through the door and this way the practitioner can gain a lot of information regarding the patient and form an initial impression. During this part of the examination the practitioner will gain information and determine the seriousness of the illness based on four principles.