pulse diagnosis

by **Admin** Sun 21 Nov 2010, 11:35 pm

Earlier, we had discussed about the Sheng (Creative)and the Ko (Control) cycles of the Five Energies (Elements) which make the LifeForce. Depletion of the normalrequirement of the Qi in any one these five forces, results in functionaldefects of the pertaining organ. Thus,diminished Fire results in Lethargy, Bradycardia, Vertigo or Syncope,Constipation (the heat needed for melting the metal is low), increasedurination in the night (Coldness takes over, whenever Heat falls), and othersymptoms related to Hypoglycemia and Low Blood pressure. Pains will aggravate with cold.

The patient may feel drowsy whenever the Organ clockcorresponds to a fall in Fire tide, e.g., 7 to 8 Am (Pericardium energy falls).

The reverse will be the case when Fire energy raisesabove the normal functional quota. Febrile symptoms will be indicated (mostly in the evening, from 7 to 11 Pm – Pericardium and Sanjiao Clock peaks), Bowels willbe frequent, Insomnia and Sweating will be reported, Pains will aggravate withheat. Increased heat may be due tosuppressed Water (Kidney functional energy will be low) therefore, Micturitionmay be indicated with diminished thirst and dryness of the mouth.
Most of the symptoms like Pain will be commonlyreported in every defective energy , but the pain of the Joints, or the Musclesand tendons help us to narrow down our diagnostic focus towards the Kidneys(Water) or Liver (Wood).

Toothache or Ear problems accompany Lumbago andCervical Spondolosis in cases of Water Organ defects (High or Low). Eye problems, Headache, Muscular cramps andunhealthy Nails indicate Liver (Wood)disequilibrium.

Cardiopulmonary symptoms are outwardly exhibited, butthe underlying cause may be Water or Wood besides the Air and Firethemselves. Earth (Splenic, Pancreaticand Digestive energy) may be offended due to low Fire or low Wood, since Firecreates Earth while Wood controls it.

These indications, symptoms or syndromes combined with regular Diagnostictechniques like Auscultation, Tongue Diagnosis, Eye Diagnosis and examinationof Color, Palor etc., can help a lot in deciding the Energy (Organ) to bestrengthened.

Pulse Diagnosis (Traditional Chinesemethod) of the Five elements exhibited by the Twelve Organ Pulses on the Left and Right Radial Artery, shouldbe taken as the Conclusive and Deciding diagnostic tool.
Now, Let us see how the Twelve Pulses areallocated on the Left and Right Wrists.

Major Fire, Wood and Water are felt on the Left Hand Radial Artery. Minor Fire, Earth and Air are felt from the Right Hand Radial Artery.

The Left sided Energies Control (Defend or Destroy)the Right sided Energies. Therefore, theEnergy or Organ on the Left is the Husband to the Wife Energy that iscontrolled on the right. Thus, Water YinOrgan (Kidney) controls Minor Yin Fire (Pericardium). Major Yin Fire (Heart) controls Air Yin Organ(Lung).   Major Yang Fire (SmallIntestine) controls Yang Air Organ (Large Intestine).

The Wife Pulses on the right, fall in the same positions as their HusbandPulses on the left. Thus, H and SI areDistal on the Left; LU and LI are Distal on the Right. LIV and GB are Medial on the Left, SP and STare also Medial on the Right. K and UBare Proximal on the left, their Wife Pulses P and SJ are also Proximal on theRight.

TheSuperficial Pulses represent the functional qualities of the Yang Organs, whilethe Deep Pulses reflect the functional energy of the Yin Organs.

Rulesfor Pulse taking:

1.      Takethe Pulse readings only on Odd hours (5 Am, 7 Am, 9 Am . . . ) only. [There will be ups and downs as the Organ clock has peaks and troughs on Evenhours]
2.      Prefermorning hours, especially after Bowel evacuation ( 7 Am to 7:45 Am) [LI – Colon has a peak at 6 Am; Most of the people visit the toilet duringthat time. So it is convenient to checkthe pulses when Yang organs are empty].
3.      Thepatient should remain on empty stomach, so that Yang (Hollow) organs remainhollow naturally, and their pulses do not interfere.
4.      Brushingwith herbal tooth powder is advisable, as Fluorides and Aromatic toothpastesmay interfere with the system even on oral contact.
5.      Pulsesare better differentiated when the patient is in lying position.
6.      Eachpulse is to be palpated with either the index finger or the middle finger,according to the physician’s convenience. Simultaneous left and right pulse reading will also help.
7.      Tryto find the Weakest Yin Pulse (on the depth) while recording the Rhythm (rate)and Quality (volume) of all pulses. SixYin Pulses will be sufficient. [The reasons are explained in the followingchapters].