Diagnosis
Imbalances are detected through taking a history and by examining pulse and urine.
Pulse reading is a skill that takes many years to acquire. The doctor uses it to 'listen in' to the workings of the entire body, including all the major organs.
Urine examination illuminates the functioning of all the major body systems.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on four areas .. diet, behaviour, medication, and external treatments.
DIET and BEHAVIOUR
The doctor may suggest changes in lifestyle and diet. These changes form an integral part of the treatment.
MEDICATION
Tibetan medicines use many different ingredients from the natural world, especially the rare plants and herbs growing on the Tibetan Plateau. The medicines are made according to an age-old tradition, which follows strict methods, and uses sophisticated processing techniques. Some formulations have been specially adapted for the Tara Institute to comply with UK legislation.
Tibetan medicines are formulated with the aim of restoring overall balance. Being less focused on the presenting complaint than western medicines, they may take longer to achieve the desired result. There may even be a momentary worsening of the presenting symptoms for a few days before a steady improvement.

EXTERNAL TREATMENTS
The doctor may also use acupuncture or moxibustion, usually in short courses on consecutive days.

Examination
A Tibetan doctor has three ways of examining a patient to diagnose illness .. visual inspection, palpation and questioning.

During the VISUAL INSPECTION, the doctor examines the tongue, the urine, the face for any unusual changes, the appearance of the eyes, the complexion and the colour of the skin.

PALPATION enables the doctor to ...

• know the condition of the organs and systems of the body by reading the pulse.
• know the temperature of the body.
• detect possible growths, fractures or skin problems, and to feel the shape of any articulations.
• find whatever other physical signs are related to the complaint.

QUESTIONING is intended to establish the causes which triggered the condition, the symptoms presented by the patient, and his or her habits, such as diet and lifestyle.