The examination is made according to the circulation and distribution of the meridians and collaterals through inspection and palpation as well as observation of the pathological reactions in the distributing areas of the meridians.
Inspection of the meridians and collaterals: The inspection mainly concentrates on observation of the abnormal changes of the color and shape of the skin and vessels. For example, darkish purple vessels are always the manifestations of blood stagnation; bluish vessels indicate cold or pain syndrome and reddish ones always signify heat syndrome. Pimples and blisters on the hypochondriac region indicate pathological changes of the gallbladder meridian of foot-shaoyang and the liver meridian of foot-jueyin. While skin lesions such as pimples and erythemas on the anterior-lateral side of the lower limbs are the manifestations of the pathological changes of the stomach meridian of foot-yangming.
Palpation of the meridians and collaterals: The distributing areas of the meridians and collaterals are pressed and touched to examine and inspect various reactions, including the states of pulsation on the arteries, subcutaneous nodes, lumps and cord-like mass, or looseness and depression as well as coolness, feverishness, pain, sensitivity and numbness of the skin. The affected meridians and collaterals can be identified according to the locations of the manifestations.