The following content is from the Qingzhu Pulse Diagnosis Training Camp:
“When pressed, it shows no dispersion. A floating pulse that is too strong indicates an external pathogen. A floating pulse that is soft and weak upon pressure often indicates internal injury and deficiency.” This is because a floating pulse primarily indicates an exterior condition, where the six excesses (liù yín) invade the body, and the body’s righteous qi is sufficient, with no deficiency in qi and blood. The righteous qi resists the pathogen externally, thus the pulse is floating and strong; however, when the floating pulse indicates internal injury, there is a deficiency of yin blood, while qi may be in excess (compensatory). This leads to an imbalance of yin and yang, with yang qi floating outward, resulting in a pulse that is also floating. The evidence and tongue presentation differ from those of an external pathogen, thus the pulse is floating but weak or hollow and thin. Therefore, the floating pulse indicates both internal and external conditions, differentiated by strength or weakness.
