Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

Pulse Diagnosis in TCM Acupuncture Theory - TCM Theory



Common Pulse Locations and Related Meridians

Left Wrist Right Wrist
Chi (foot) - 3rd position KD / UB PC / TH


Alternative Meridian Relationships

Pulse Classic:

Left Wrist Right Wrist

Golden Mirror of Medical Traditions:

Left Wrist Right Wrist
Cun (inch) - 1st position HT / PC LU / Chest
Chi (foot) - 3rd position KD / LI / SI PC / TH

Alternative view used in China:

Left Wrist Right Wrist
Cun (inch) - 1st position HT LU
Guan (barr) - 2nd position LV SP
Chi (foot) - 3rd position KD Yin KD Yang

Clinical significance of the Pulse at varying levels

superficial (skin level) - generally shows exogenous pathogens
middle - generally shows state of ST/SP Qi
deep (bone level) - generally shows internal conditions

Pulse Descriptions, Qualities and Clinical Significance




By Depth:
Floating (superficial) easily felt at the superficial level
not as significant as you feel deeper
external condition/pathogen
+ empty = yin a/or blood def
+ rapid = wind heat
+ tight/slow = wind cold

Sinking (deep) felt only at the deep level interior condition/obstruction
+ rapid = internal heat
+ slow = internal cold
+ slippery = internal damp/phlegm
+ empty = qi or yang def
By Frequency:
Slow less than 4 beats per breath (< 60bpm ) cold condition a/or pathogenic factor
+ floating = exterior wind cold
+ sinking/empty = yang def
Rapid more than 5 beats per breath ( > 90bpm ) hot condition a/or pathogenic factor
+ floating = external wind heat
+ sinking = internal heat
+ full = excess heat
+ empty = empty heat
By Quality/Shape:
Hesitant (choppy) rough and uneven blood a/or jing stagnation
Slippery smooth with a viscous sensation excess dampness, retention of food, pregnancy
+ rapid = damp heat
+ slow = cold damp obstruction
Tight tension with side to side movements (thicker than a wiry pulse) excess cold - interior or exterior, commonly associated with pain
Wiry tension with no side to side movements (thinner than a tight pulse) LV/GB disharmony
By Width:
Big (excess, overflowing) broad but with distinct edges excess heat, commonly in ST or Intestines
Thin (thready, fine) fine but with distinct edges blood a/or qi deficiency
By Strength:
Empty (deficient) wide but not strong, disappears with slight pressure, forceless blood a/or qi deficiency
Full (excess) wide and strong, felt with strength at all levels excess condition, often excess heat with rebellious Qi
By Length:
Short not felt in all 3 positions qi deficiency
Long felt beyond the 3 positions excess, heat, generally considered normal in absence of other qualities
By Rhythm:
Hurried (abrubt) rapid with irregularly missed beats heat agitating qi & blood
Intermittent regularly skipped beats heart disharmony, exhaustion of zang qi
Knotted slow with irregularly missed beats cold obstruction, ht qi or yang deficiency, general def of Qi, Blood a/or Jing

Description of a healthy ("normal") pulse

  • The pulse should be felt in all 9 positions

Factors which influence the Pulse

  • Seasonal Influences:
    ·· Spring - more wiry
    ·· Summer - stronger
    ·· Winter - deeper

Related Posts From Our Blog

Where Do I Go Next?

Further Exploration - Theory and Treatments

Follow, Join, and Participate

Get Our App

Get it on Google Play




Our Sites

Store Operated by Yin Yang House Chattanooga LLC
Website Design and Managment by Yin Yang House Media Services Group