Deficiency/Excess

Deficiency shows an emptiness generally and reflects an insufficiency of Blood, Qi or Body Fluids or the underactivity of a particular Organ. General signs are frailness, weakness, tiredness, inactivity and weak voice.

There may be shallow breathing, with pains relieved by pressure. The pulse is weak, the tongue pale. Excess shows either a strong reaction to an external attack or a picture of accumulation and stagnation.

General signs are of heavy, forceful movement, heavy breathing, congestion, fullness, bloating with pains worse for pressure. The pulse is strong and full.

Establishes the strength of the body's resistance, and provides an assessment of its vitality and ability to withstand disease.