Pulse diagnosis

Pulse diagnosis is a technique used in traditional medicines such as in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, or early Greek medicine.

In Ayurveda, advocates claim that by taking a pulse examination, humoral imbalances such as the three Doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kaphha - can be diagnosed.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pulse is divided into three positions on each wrist. The first pulse closest to the wrist is the cun(inch) position, the second guan (gate), and the third pulse position furthest away from the wrist is the chi (foot). Each position represents a pair if organs, with different organs apparent on the superficial, middle, and deep level. Various classic texts cite different pairings of organs, some omitting the second organ from the pulse entirely. Generally, the first position on the left hand represents the heart and small intestine, the second, liver and gallbladder, and third the kidney yin and the bladder. On the right hand, the first position is representative of the lungs and large intestine, the second of the spleen and stomach, and the third represents the kidney yang and uterus or triple burner. The strengths and weaknesses of the positions are used to asses the patient diagnostically, along with the different qualities and speed of the pulse.

See also

• Ayurveda
• Pulse examination
• Traditional Chinese medicine