Learning how to feel the pulse and conduct diagnosis might assist you in identifying any imbalances in your body’s Zang-Fu organs.
In Chinese Medicine, the idea of the pulse is significantly different. It is a method of directly contacting the patient’s Qi, since the Lungs regulate Qi via breathing. There are significant disparities in the pulses in each wrist, which would be validated by a cardiologist.
The Pulses (Eighteen)
An expert Chinese Medicine practitioner can detect nine distinct pulses on each wrist, for a total of eighteen. The doctor will use three fingers, each carefully placed on top of a distinct pulse. The pulse has three levels at each place, for a total of nine pulses.
Each of the eighteen pulses is associated with a distinct internal organ and provides precise information about that organ’s condition. There are also 28 pulse characteristics that characterize the status of the Qi. These are expressed as names like the Slippery Pulse, which signals the presence of Dampness, or the Tight Pulse, which arises when there is a blockage. Any of the pulse characteristics may be found at any of the pulse places, and each one represents a unique state.
Adding the pulses from both wrists yields a total of eighteen pulses. Each region is related to an organ. The Heart refers to organs and functions above the diaphragm (particularly the left side); the Liver to those between the diaphragm and the navel (especially the lateral parts); and the KidneyYin to those below the navel (especially lower left).
The Lung corresponds with organs and functions above the diaphragm (particularly the right side); the Spleen with those between the diaphragm and the navel (especially the centre); and KidneyYang with those below the navel (especially lower right).
How do you check your pulse?
Let’s have a look at how a Chinese doctor feels the pulse:
(1) First, ensure that the individual sitting opposite you has their hands comfortably held at the level of their solar plexus or chest.
(2) Feel the person’s left wrist with your right hand’s fingers and vice versa.
3. Using the middle three fingers of your left hand, feel for the right pulse. Place your second finger immediately below the person’s wrist crease (on the thumb side) over the radial artery. Allow the other two fingers to rest lightly next to this. You should not use your thumb since you may mix your own pulse with that of the patient.
Press evenly and softly with all three fingers until you can barely detect a pulse. Stay here for a minute to become aware of the pulse’s quality.
Press a bit harder until the pulse subsides, then gently release till you can feel it again. Stay here for a minute and consider if the nature of the pulse at this deeper level differs in any way from the initial pulse. You have now sensed the quality of the person’s Qi.
What to watch for in your pulse?
Look for depth, speed, and strength.
The healthy pulse is readily felt and has a smooth and steady beat. It varies according to age, constitution, and fitness. In general, the pulse slows with age, and its intensity varies according to build; a muscular man has a stronger pulse than a skinny lady. The pulse is not considered completely formed in children under the age of seven, and a beginner is unlikely to acquire any meaningful information from a child’s pulse.
Depth – a pulse might be Normal, Superficial, or Deep.
At all depths, the Normal pulse should be straightforward to locate.
The Superficial pulse is readily felt with modest pressure but vanishes with deep pressure. This pulse indicates that the upper body has more Qi than the lower body. (This occurs in Yin Deficiency of the Kidneys, producing headaches, tinnitus, and hot flushes.) It may also emerge when there is too much energy in the lungs, such as a cough or asthma symptoms.)
The deep pulse is missing on mild palpation and is only detectable with deep pressure. It suggests a Yang energy deficiency since there is insufficient Yang Qi to raise the pulse to the surface. (Among other issues, this may cause fatigue, prolapse, diarrhoea, incontinence, and vaginal discharge.)
The speed of a pulse might be Normal, Rapid, or Slow.
The Normal pulse has a smooth, constant beat that is neither rapid nor sluggish.
The rapid pulse is quicker than average for the patient’s age. (This must be measured as the resting pulse.) If the individual has recently been active or is particularly nervous, the pulse will be increased.) The rapid pulse signifies the presence of heat, and the quicker the pulse, the more heat is there. The Heat might be Full or Empty, as indicated by various indications and symptoms.
The Slow pulse is slower than typical for the patient’s age.
A sluggish pulse indicates the presence of Cold, and the slower the pulse, the greater the presence of Cold. This Cold might be Full or Empty, as determined by other indications and symptoms.
The strength of a pulse might be Normal, Full, or Empty.
The pulse in the right wrist is largely about Qi, while the pulse in the left wrist is mostly about Blood. If the Fullness or Emptiness is mostly on one side, the following organs are affected:
Yin of the Liver, Heart, and Kidney on the left.
Spleen, Stomach, Lungs, and Kidney Yang are all on the right.
The Full pulse is highly powerful, with an aggressive wave character. It is frequently readily felt on both levels and with all three fingers. The bigger the energy, the greater the degree of Fullness. A Full pulse indicates an Excess of something in the body, thus the recommended therapy is to detect and then eliminate it.
The Empty pulse is feeble, with a sloppy wave quality. The more evident the weakening, the more Empty the situation. An empty pulse indicates a Deficiency of something in the body, thus the recommended therapy is to identify the area of weakness and then strengthen it.
About The Author
Dr. Antonika Chanel Is a board-certified Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor. She has more than a decade of experience worldwide.
USCG Veteran, Author, speaker, and consultant, Antonika is committed to influencing and establishing Integrative Medicine practices in every home. She is recognized as a Top Tier Acupuncturist among luxury cruise lines. Her wealth of knowledge stems from years of mentorship with over 25 leaders in the field of Integrative Medicine.
East Asian Medicine is an extremely powerful yet simple health practice that aims to “balance you and restore your health’. Antonika says, ‘The fastest growing industry in healthcare today is East Asian Holistic Practices”.
My mission is to bring greater awareness about the power of the ancient wisdom, art and science of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to teach people that there is a better and more sustainable way to reach the best version of themselves.
I inspire and lead others using accountability practices that allow others to take greater responsibility for their health and wellness. I want everyone to be a willing participant in the lifestyle changes that is necessary to reach optimal health.
My mission is to bring greater awareness about the power of the ancient wisdom, art, and science of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and to teach people that there is a better and more sustainable way to reach the best version of themselves. I inspire and lead others using accountability practices that allow others to take greater responsibility for their health and wellness. I want everyone to be a willing participant in the lifestyle changes that may be necessary to reach optimal and sustainable health.
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