A systematic analysis of the theory and practice of syndrome differentiation

Syndrome differentiation is a methodology unique to Chinese medicine. It threads the diagnosis process with clinical treatment into a holistic web of links to determine and regulate the patterns of dysfunctions in the human body. It is seen as the essence of Chinese medicine because it takes into account the theoretical principles, diagnostic methodologies and the modality of treatment holistically. In this process the progressive development and changes of syndromes are also considered by the physician. This paper is a systematic study of the methodology of syndrome differentiation in relation to its clinical applications in the treatment of diseases. To illustrate the efficacy of syndrome differentiation, the relationship between pattern identification and diseases is analysed to provide a guiding principle for integration between Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Diseases being selected include cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic syndromes. A study of renal and hepatic diseases related to lifestyle is also included to highlight the clinical efficacy of syndrome differentiation. The paper also includes an analytical summary of the theoretical advancements made in integrative differentiation methodology during the past five decades which links to the recent clinical thinking and practice.