How much do you know about the pulse theory and meaning in traditional Chinese medicine?

The most common form of palpation is taking the pulse, which is a characteristic feature of traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, the commonly used parts for taking pulse are Cun, Guan and Chi. A normal pulse is that there are pulses in the three parts of Cun, Guan and Chi, with four beats in one breath, neither floating nor sinking, but gentle and strong, with consistent rhythm. The deep pulse of Chi should be strong. So what are the common types of pulses?

1. Floating pulse:

1. Floating pulse: It can be felt by light pressing, and slightly weaker by heavy pressing. Main symptoms of exterior syndrome: When the pulse of an exogenous disease is floating and tight, it is a symptom of exterior cold; when the pulse is floating and rapid, it is a symptom of exterior heat; when the pulse is floating and strong, it is a symptom of exterior excess; when the pulse is floating and weak, it is a symptom of exterior deficiency; when the pulse is floating and slippery, it is a symptom of exterior syndrome with phlegm. It also indicates deficiency syndrome: long-term illness, weak body and floating pulse are mostly symptoms of external escape of deficiency yang.

2. Hong pulse: The pulse is broad and big, like surging waves, rising and falling. The main disease is characterized by excessive heat and weakening of the qi. It is often seen in patients with long-term illness, qi deficiency, fatigue, blood loss, etc.

3. Scattered pulse: floating, scattered, without roots, and with even beats and pulses. It is seen in symptoms caused by the dissipation of vital energy. 4. Moist pulse: floating, thin and soft, mainly indicates deficiency syndrome and dampness syndrome.

2. Deep pulse type:

1. Deep pulse: No response when pressed lightly, but can be felt when pressed hard. The pulse theory is mainly about internal symptoms: strong pulse indicates excess, weak pulse indicates deficiency. When evil is trapped inside, Qi and blood are blocked and Yang Qi is not flowing smoothly, the pulse will be deep and strong, which indicates that the interior is full; when the internal organs are weak, Yang is deficient and Qi is sunken, the pulse Qi cannot beat, and the pulse will be deep and weak.

2. Hidden pulse: It can only be felt by pressing with heavy hands, or it may be hidden and invisible. It is used to treat evil obstruction and extreme pain.

3. Weak pulse: extremely soft, deep and thin, indicating insufficient Qi and blood.

3. Slow pulse type:

1. Slow pulse: The pulse is slow, less than four beats per breath, usually only three beats per breath. (Pulse rate below 60 beats per minute). Main cold syndrome: strong is real cold, weak is false cold. Coldness causes stagnation, slow circulation of Qi and blood, and a slow but strong pulse, which are symptoms of real cold. Yang Qi is deficient and unable to circulate Qi and blood. The pulse is slow and weak, which is a symptom of deficiency-cold.

2. Slow pulse: four beats in one breath, coming and going slowly, indicating excessive dampness.

3. Si pulse: The pulse is difficult and not smooth, like a knife scraping bamboo. A sluggish and strong pulse indicates qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm and food stasis. A weak and sluggish pulse indicates damage to the essence and lack of blood.

4. Knotted pulse: The pulse is slow and sometimes stops, with no fixed number of stops. It is seen in symptoms such as yin-excess and qi stagnation, cold phlegm, and accumulation.