PULSE SUPPLEMENT

1. PULSE- measures the Qi of the Blood vessels



The movement of the Blood Humor depends upon the pulsing and stirring of the Heart Qi: The Qi of the Blood



2. PULSE POSITIONS



INCH PULSE ( CUN) Lu(R), He (L)



BAR PULSE ( GUAN) Sp/St (R), Liv/Gb (L)



CUBIT (CHI) Kid Yang (R), Kid Yin (L)



3. RIGHTEOUS PULSE



Contains these three elements:



1) St Qi- The Pulse of the Right (Zheng) Qi;

Calm, even, moderate; must have form and supple strength:

Good Prognosis



Lacking St. Qi: hard, and lacks moderation and evenness; rhythm is chaotic and incomplete; lacks organization



Pulse lacking in Stomach Qi often lacks Spirit and Root



2) Spirit- Force; strength, liveliness



Pulse lacking Spirit: deep, deficient. Can be hidden or floating (forceless)



3) Root- Righteous Qi



Basis for the existence or collapse of Righteous Qi; Kidney Pulse





ACCORDING TO HAMMER:



These three components reflect the levels of Qi, Blood and organs, respectively, relative to their depth.

E.G., the Spirit component reflects the condition of the Qi at that position; the middle, or Stomach Qi component reflects the Blood, and Root reflects the organ.



NOTE:



1) These elements be balanced within the context of the pulse



2) Pulses will change with the seasons:





a) Spring- more string-taut and wiry



b) Summer pulse- exuberant



c) Fall- sl. Soggy



d) Winter- deep





4. The Concept of Congruity



Pulses are evaluated not only according to the qualities of each pulse, that is Slippery, Wiry, Surging, etc., nor the relative depth or strength, or the presence or absence of root or spirit, but by the congruity of all these components. One expects a deep pulse to be weak and lack spirit. It is significant if a pulse is deep and has a lot of spirit or strength. One expects a superficial pulse to have spirit predominant and to be excessive. Any anomalies are significant.