This is a technique for finding concealed color, uneven-ness, and nodules and abnormal sensations including soreness, numb distension, and pain in the hand and foot by pressing them with the pad or radial border of the distal phalanx of the thumb. The sequence of examination is from the proximal end to the distal end, along a vertical direction, and then along a horizontal direction, and from hand to foot.
Concealed color can be observed after the local skin and underlying tissue are pressed by finger as the superficial color fades away. If the concealed color is fresh red, this indicates good health with normal functions of the internal organs; if the concealed red color is pale or dull, this indicates the early stage of disease without symptoms, or an inflammation in the correspondent organ. If the concealed color is normal and the original superficial color can be quickly restored after the release of pressure, this indicates that the vital energy is rich and vatality is exuberant; if the original color is only slowly restored, this indicates that the body is weak and qi and blood are insufficient. If the concealed color is abnormal and the original superficial color can be quickly restored, this indicates that the disease is still in the early stage, the body's resistance is not much impaired, and the disease can be easily cured; and if the original color is only slowly restored, this indicates a chronic disease with a long clinical history.
If a depression is found at the spleen and kidney reflecting areas' when the pressing method is applied at the holographic points and areas this indicates the possibility of a congenital single kidney or the removal of the spleen or one kidney by surgery, if sandy nodules are found on the gallbladder, kidney or urinary bladder reflecting area, this indicates the presence of stones in those organs. A movable mass with persistent abnormal feeling indicates the possible presence of a tumor in the body, and a diagnosis of tumor can be made after evaluating the age, physique, and sex of the patient.
An abnormal feeling induced by the pressing method also indicates the presence of pathological lesions. A sore and numb feeling indicates chronic and deficient diseases; numbness indicates stubborn diseases or diseases of the nervous or circulatory system; and distention and pain indicates the presence of inflammation or febrile diseases. If an abnormal sensation is simultaneously present on both hands, the chance for an accuracy diagnosis is much higher.
Among these four diagnostic methods, the inspecting method is the principal technique while the harld examination is most convenient. Therefore, they are the principal methods of diagnosis worth mastering and practicing.
