How to Use Pulse as a Diagnostic Tool

Pulse taking, developed by the Chinese, was one of the first diagnostic tools used by man. Doctors skilled in this technique can diagnose certain health conditions and determine whether the conditions are old, new or chronic and in which part of the body they exist.

Instructions

• 1

  Find the major pulse points. These include the radial on the inner aspect of the wrist, the brachial above the elbow on the inside of the arm, the carotid at the front of the neck and the femoral on the inside of the leg. Other pulse points may include the temples, ankles and tops of the feet.

• 2

  Place your index, middle and ring fingers on the radial artery in the wrist. Palpate the area under each finger to distinguish the condition of different organs, tissues and lymph channels.

• 3

  Use your fingers as receptors to transfer information from the blood pumped from the heart out to the rest of the body.

• 4

  Observe the position of the artery, its depth, firmness, size, strength and heart rhythm.

• 5

  Look for interruptions in the energy force (or "prana") to indicate illness or disease of specific internal organs. A pulse that is rapid, slow, forceful, weak or irregular may indicate a health issue. A thin, rapid pulse, for example, often indicates the progression of an illness (like cancer).