lec 4a - pulses

what are the wuestions to ask when assessing pulse?

what are the 6 general characterics

• rapid

• slow

• full (or excess)

• weak (or deficient)

• short

• long

describe rapid pulse

• more than 5 beats per breath of practicioner (usually 70+ bpm)

• indicates heat

describe slow pulse

• less than 3 beats per breath of practicioner (usually less than 60 bpm)

• indicates cold

describe full (or excess) pulse

• feels large and strong

• indicates any excess pattern

describe weak (or deficient/empty) pulse

• feels soft and weak → hard to feel

• indicates deficiency of Yang or Blood, deficiency of Qi

describe short pulse

• feels as though it occupies less length, than normal pulse

• indicates significant Qi deficiency, esp. stomach

describe long pulse

• feels as though it occupies more length than normal palse

• indicates heat patterns

what are the specirfic characters of pulse

• floating

• slippery

• wiry

• thready or thin

• tight

describe floating pulse

describe slippery pulse

what characteristics tell you how tense the pulse is?

• wiry

• thready or thin

• tight

describe wiry pulse

describe thready or thin pulse

describe tight pulse

what are the terms used for pulses with tension? how do they differ?

what do pulses with tension suggest

• stagnation

• stasis

• obstruction

• pain