Pulse diagnosis is one of the most refined skills in Chinese medicine. Your practitioner feels three positions on each wrist, at three depths – each position reflects an organ, and the quality of the pulse shows the balance of Qi and Blood inside.
Your practitioner places three fingers on the radial artery of each wrist. Each finger position reflects different organs, and at each one we press lightly, moderately and firmly – three positions and three depths on both wrists give a detailed picture that changes as you respond to treatment.
Under the index finger, closest to the hand: the upper body.
Under the middle finger, at the wrist bone: the middle of the body.
Under the ring finger: the lower body, hormones and energy reserves.
Floating near the surface, or deep under firm pressure – surface conditions versus the internal organs.
About 4–5 beats per breath is normal. Faster points to heat; slower points to cold.
A forceful pulse means excess; a weak, empty one means deficiency.
Broad and big, or thin as a thread – fullness versus deficiency of Blood and Yin.
Regular or irregular, smooth or taut – slippery, wiry and tight pulses each tell their own story.
These are pulse types we feel often in clinic. The pictures and animations are illustrations to help you imagine the feel of each pulse – not real recordings – and a pulse is always read together with your tongue, face and symptoms.
Like a rope with some thickness and spring, rising and falling steadily between your fingertip and the table – moderate in strength, soft yet strong.
Tongue: Pale red tongue, thin white coating
Like a single strand of hair beating up and down under your fingertip – fine and clear, with a small movement and little strength.
Tongue: Pale or thin tongue
Like a light balloon bobbing gently under your fingertip – a very small movement with very little strength.
Tongue: Pale, swollen tongue
Like a taut hemp rope beating quickly and finely under your fingertip – small movements that feel tight and hard.
Tongue: Tongue with a thin white coating
Like a thick rope heaving up and down under your fingertip – big waves with plenty of force.
Tongue: Red tongue, yellow coating
Like a rope swinging side to side under your fingertip rather than up and down – taut, like a string, and springy.
Tongue: Tongue with red sides
The same size as a normal pulse, but faster – more beats in the same time.
Tongue: Red tongue
The same size as a normal pulse, but slower – fewer beats in the same time.
Tongue: Pale tongue, white coating
Not sure which one fits? That’s normal. Your pulse consultation is part of every first visit, alongside face, tongue, body and question consultation. How a TCM consultation works →
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