Types Of Pulse In Chinese Medicine

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are 26 different pulse types:

The Scattered pulse is an irregular pulse that occurs in critical cases where qi is exhausted.

Intermittent pulse is a slow pulse that has pauses at regular intervals. This is seen in severe trauma.

The swift pulse is a fast pulse (120 - 140 beats per minute).

The hollow pulse feels floating, large, soft and hollow and is seen in cases where there is a large blood volume loss.

A faint pulse is thready and soft, hardly noticeable.

A surging pulse is a forceful rising and gradual falling pulse.

A hidden pulse is observed when someone is in severe pain and can only be felt when pressing almost close to the bone.

The knotted pulse is a slow pulse that is irregular and is often a sign of stagnation of qi and stagnation of blood.

Hurried pulse is a rapid pulse that has irregular intermittence beats, occurring with excessive heat, retention of phlegm or undigested food.

Long pulse is a lengthy, prolonged pulse.

A short pulse is short and forceful.

A find pulse is like a fine thread and usually results in a state of deficiency.

Hesitant pulse is a choppy pulse that indicates a sluggish blood flow.

Slippery pulse can be found in normal individuals as well as those who are pregnant, who have food stagnation and those with phlegm-damp.

A relaxed pulse occurs with diminished tension, or someone with spleen insufficiency.

A moderate pulse is a pulse that has a even rhythm to it and has moderate tension, which is indicative of a normal condition.

Tense pulse is a tightly stretched pulse that may indicate the individual has a cold or possibly in pain.

A stringy pulse is like a musical instrument, feeling straight and long. Individual in severe pain will have a stringy pulse or those having liver disorders.

A replete pulse is a very vigorous and forceful pulse.

A weak pulse is deep and soft, and due to deficiency of qi and blood.

A soggy pulse is a very thin, soft pulse.

A feeble pulse is a pulse that feels feeble which may indicate a loss of qi or blood or some other impairment of body fluid.

Rapid pulse is one that has increased frequency of more than 90 beats per minute.

A slow pulse is a pulse that has reduced frequency - meaning less than 60 beats per minute.

A sinking pulse is only felt while pressing down hard and is indicative of illness that is located deep in the interior of the body.

A floating pulse can be felt by pressing lightly and grows faint if pressure is applied. This is indicative of an illness that is in the exterior of the body.