TCM views the body as a harmonious system

The pulse in traditional Chinese medicine is one of the windows to the inner body functions. It is similar to ripples in a pond created by stone. Any objects in the pond affect the shape of the ripples. One can tell where there might be something obstructing the ripples.

TCM views the body as a harmonious system. The heart is driving the pulse, which is also influenced by other organs and body systems. Therefore a doctor can gauge the whole body by simply reading the pulse. Click to learn Chinese herb Herba Agrimoniae (Xianhecao).

TCM doctors can observe what is going on inside by simply touching six spots on the two wrists. There are three pulse positions on either wrist, the inch pulse on the thumb side and gate pulse in the middle and foot pulse on the elbow side.

The three positions on the left correspond to heart, liver, and kidney (yin) and the three positions on the right correspond to lungs, spleen and kidney (yang).

In addition to the three positions, there are also three depths of the pulse depending on the amount of pressure the practitioner applies to the pulse: the surface reading, the middle reading and the deep reading.  Click to learn Chinese herb Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong).

Together there will be a total of nine readings on each wrist providing valuable diagnostic information.

Article source: chinadaily