Let’s look at the actual definition of the word symptom.
SYMPTOM: “a physical or emotional manifestation of an underlying disease process, indicating there is an imbalance.”
SYMPTOM: “something showing that something else exists; a sign” or “a condition that goes along with or results from a disease or disorder.”
We look at your symptoms as indicators that there is something wrong or an imbalance happening at a deeper level.
Photo by Isabella Fischer on Unsplash
Many people come to us with a particular condition that the doctors diagnosed as a disease. What we have found many times is that the diagnosis is merely a symptom OF a disease.
Example: a person comes in with a diagnosis of “migraines”.
Sounds perfectly straight forward, doesn’t it? Well, unfortunately for the patient, the diagnosis given is usually a description of specific symptoms that are slightly unique for each person, but fall under the diagnostic category of “migraines.”
What we have found clinically is that the body has an imbalance which is the actual and TRUE disease process. The disease process is what is causing the migraines, which is when the symptoms of pain, visual disturbances, etc. appear.
It seems a major misstep in conventional Western medicine lies within a misunderstanding of the following word….SYMPTOM.
Tags
Ready to Experience the Benefits of Acupuncture?
Book your first consultation and receive $291 off your initial visit. That's a comprehensive assessment and first treatment for just $59!
*New patients only. Cannot be combined with insurance. Expires April 30, 2026.
Related Articles

Stress Relief: TCM Strategies for Busy Spring Schedules
Spring doesn't have to mean burnout. By working with the season's energy instead of against it, TCM strategies help you ride the wave of increased activity with more ease, clarity, and joy.

Spring Equinox: Balancing Yin and Yang with Holistic Practices
We view health as a dynamic state of balance between two opposing yet complementary forces. Yin represents the cool, inward, restorative qualities associated with rest and winter—think darkness, stillness, and nourishment. Yang embodies warmth, outward energy, activity, and growth, rising as days lengthen.

Spring Break Wellness: Family TCM Tips for Travel and Rest
Spring break is that magical window when families trade routines for adventure—beach days, road trips, or mountain escapes. By weaving simple TCM practices into your spring break plans, you can prevent common pitfalls and turn travel into true restoration.