Table 2.
TCM diagnosis criteria.
| TCM groups | TCM#1 equal deficiency and stagnation | TCM#2 deficiency greater than stagnation | TCM#3 stagnation greater than deficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | |||
| Main symptoms/signs | Mild or moderate chronic pain only, or infrequent acute pain only, or chronic pain with infrequent acute pain Tongue body: light red or slightly pale, or with purple spots Pulses: thin, wiry, or normal |
Symptom Group 1: Fatigue; weakness; shortness of breath; worsening after exertion; dull, sallow or pale complexion; pale lips and nails Symptom Group 2: chronic pain only, or chronic pain that gets progressively worse before VOC; dull, or stabbing or sharp pain; mild or moderate or severe pain level; pain better by pressing Tongue body: pale or pale with purple spots Pulses: thin, weak and /or deep |
Symptom Group 1: Chronic pain with frequent sudden onset of acute pain; stabbing or sharp pain; moderate or severe pain level; pain aggravated by pressing Symptom Group 2: Fatigue; weakness; shortness of breath; worsening after exertion; dull, sallow or pale complexion; pale lips and nails Tongue body: pale with purple spots, or dark Pulses: wiry, or choppy or knotted |
| TCM diagnostic criteria | Meet neither TCM#2 nor TCM#3 | Meet:
|
Meet:
|