The acupoints and the reaction points are pressed for examining various abnormal changes, including whether there are tenderness or comfortable sensation, or aching and distention as compared with the adjacent regions, or subcutaneous nodes or code-like mass, or looseness and depression. These abnormal changes mainly appear on some special acupoints. For example, tenderness or comfortable sensation will be felt on Feishu (BL 13) when the lung is in disorder.
Pathological reactions on Front-Mu acupoint Juque (CV 14) and Back-Shu acupoint Xinshu (BL 15) often indicate heart disease. Tenderness felt on the He-Sea acuppoint Zusanli (ST 36) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) or the areas between them usually indicate the disorders of the hand- and foot-yangming meridians. Tenderness felt on the crossing-point Sanyinjiao (SP 6) suggests the disorder of the foot triple yin meridians.
In clinical practice apart from the consideration of examining the meridians, collaterals and acupoints, the four diagnostic methods of TCM should be employed at the same time to have a comprehensive understanding of the pathological conditions and make a correct diagnosis of the disease in question.