The treatment of diseases with acupuncture and moxibustion is performed under the guidance of TCM theory, based on the diagnosis made by means of the four diagnostic methods (inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry as well as palpation) and according to the syndrome differentiation (including syndrome differentiation of the eight principles, zang-fu organs, qi and blood as well as meridians and collaterals).

The theory of meridians and collaterals is the core of the science of acupuncture and moxibustion. It is also the important basis for the examination and syndrome differentiation in the clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion. Therefore apart from the general methods for diagnosis and syndrome differentiation in TCM, the examination of meridians, collaterals and acupoints as well as syndrome differentiation of meridians and collaterals are specially significant in the clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.