Chinese diagnosis is related to the identification of syndromes that provides the necessary diagnostic tools to identify syndromes; symptoms and signs reflect the internal condition of the organs. The correlation between external symptoms and internal organs is summarized in the expression "Inspect the exterior to examine the interior".

The second fundamental principle is that "a part reflects the whole". This allows obtaining detailed information about the state of the organism from the examination of a small part of it.

The essence of the diagnostic process and Pattern Identification is that all symptoms and signs must be considered in relation to each other. No symptom or sign can be considered in isolation.

Chinese diagnosis includes four methods traditionally described with four words:

• Inspection.
• Listening and smelling. The same Chinese character "wen" means both "hearing" and smelling.
• Inquiry
• Palpation. Includes palpation of the pulse, skin, limbs, hand, chest, abdomen and points (Mu and ashi).

The same disease can manifest through very different symptoms, so we must investigate the causes that provoke the symptoms: attacks of pathogenic factors, seven passions, etc. The emotional aspect as a factor involved in disease must be taken very much into account.