DiagnosisIntegrative MedicinePattern Differentiation
Translating Western Diagnoses to TCM Patterns: A Practitioner's Bridge Guide
Medically Reviewed by Derek Doran, BHSc (Acupuncture) · AHPRA Registered · AACMA Member · Updated April 3, 2026
February 26, 202611 min readBy MediChi Editorial
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Western diagnosis be directly translated into a TCM pattern?
Not one-to-one. A single Western diagnosis (for example, migraine) typically maps to several possible TCM patterns — Liver Yang Rising, Blood deficiency, Phlegm obstruction — and the practitioner must differentiate based on the individual's signs and symptoms.
Why doesn't TCM use Western disease names?
TCM diagnoses describe the energetic and physiological pattern producing the symptoms, not the named disease. This lets practitioners treat the underlying imbalance rather than the label, which is why two patients with the same Western diagnosis often receive different TCM treatments.
How does Medi-Chi help bridge the two systems?
Medi-Chi takes a Western diagnosis as input and surfaces the most likely TCM patterns, with point prescriptions, herbal formulas, and citations — giving practitioners a starting framework that they then refine with their own intake.
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Derek Doran, BHSc (Acupuncture)
AHPRA Registered (CMR0002211465) · AACMA Member
Derek is the founder of MediChi and a registered acupuncturist with clinical expertise in integrating Western diagnoses with Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment protocols.
Clinically reviewed: April 3, 2026
