What is the basic methodology of TCM?

The wisdom in TCM is that it uses a method called identifying patterns to determine treatment that gives it a sophisticated advantage over merely symptomatic medical systems.
Here is a basic explanation of :
1. identifying
2. patterns to
3. determine
4. treatments

1. A qualified practitioner of ECM starts a diagnosis by gathering information about the patient with the 4 diagnostics. These noninvasive procedures are: i) a visual observation of the patient's general appearance, spirit, skin hues, posture, and so forth, as well as a detailed observation of the patient's tongue; ii) palpation of the patient, especially the pulses on the wrist; iii) a listening and smelling diagnosis that takes into account the sound of the patient, and reports about the state of the patient's stool, etc.; and iv) a thorough questioning of the patient. The very best practitioners of TCM need only do a pulse diagnosis to ascertain all the information they need to identify a pattern and make a useful prescription, while beginning practitioners may rely more heavily on the questioning, and use the pulse and tongue readings in a more limited way.