Quick Reference for TCM Diagnosis: Six Types of Pulse Patterns

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1. Floating Pulse Types

Lightly taken, the floating pulse is dominant; floating, surging, moist, scattered, and leather-like are all present.

1. Floating Pulse (Fu Mai): Strong on light touch, weak on heavy pressure; indicates exterior syndrome with floating Yang.

2. Surging Pulse (Hong Mai): Broad and strong pulse, vigorous on arrival and weak on departure; indicates excess heat.

3. Moist Pulse (Ru Mai): Floating, fine, soft, and weak; indicates deficiency syndrome with dampness.

4. Scattered Pulse (San Mai): Floating, scattered, and without root; pulse strength is uneven, indicating exhaustion of organ Qi.

5. Leather-like Pulse (Ge Mai): Floating, large, and hollow like a scallion tube; indicates Yin injury or blood loss.

6. Hollow Pulse (Kao Mai): Hollow in the middle, firm at the edges; indicates blood loss or loss of essence.

2. Sinking Pulse Types

Heavy pressure reveals sinking pulse types; sinking, hidden, weak, and firm.

1. Sinking Pulse (Chen Mai): Not responsive to light touch, only felt with heavy pressure; indicates interior condition.

2. Hidden Pulse (Fu Mai): Felt only with heavy pressure, indicating obstruction by pathogenic factors.

3. Weak Pulse (Ruo Mai): Weak, fine, and soft; indicates deficiency of Yang Qi and blood.

4. Firm Pulse (Lao Mai): Firm and large under heavy pressure; indicates hernia or accumulation of Yin cold.

3. Slow Pulse Types

One breath insufficient for four beats indicates a slow pulse; slow and hesitant pulses and knotty pulses.

1. Slow Pulse (Chi Mai): One breath insufficient for four beats; indicates cold syndrome or accumulation of pathogenic heat.

2. Relaxed Pulse (Huan Mai): Pulse comes slowly, indicating spleen deficiency or dampness.

3. Hesitant Pulse (Se Mai): Stagnant and difficult to feel; indicates deficiency of essence and blood, Qi stagnation, or phlegm obstruction.

4. Knotty Pulse (Jie Mai): Slow with irregular stops; indicates cold phlegm, blood stasis, or Qi deficiency.

4. Rapid Pulse Types

Five beats or more indicate rapid pulse; rapid and hurried pulses divided into four types.

1. Rapid Pulse (Shu Mai): Five beats or more, less than seven; indicates heat syndrome or interior deficiency.

2. Hurried Pulse (Ji Mai): Rapid pulse with seven to eight beats; indicates heat syndrome or interior deficiency.

3. Throbbing Pulse (Cu Mai): Rapid with irregular stops; indicates Yang excess, organ decline, phlegm, or food stagnation.

4. Moving Pulse (Dong Mai): Short pulse like a bean; indicates slippery, rapid, and strong, often associated with shock or fear.

5. Deficient Pulse Types

Indicates weak deficient pulse types; deficient, fine, weak, and short pulses.

1. Deficient Pulse (Xu Mai): Weak and soft on light touch; indicates deficiency syndrome.

2. Fine Pulse (Xi Mai): Fine like a thread; indicates deficiency of Qi and blood or dampness.

3. Weak Pulse (Wei Mai): Almost imperceptible; indicates severe deficiency of Qi and blood.

4. Intermittent Pulse (Dai Mai): Slow with regular stops; indicates shock or organ decline.

5. Short Pulse (Duan Mai): Shorter than normal; indicates Qi deficiency or stagnation.

6. Excess Pulse Types

Indicates strong excess pulse types; excess, slippery, wiry, tight, and long pulses.

1. Excess Pulse (Shi Mai): Strong and full; indicates excess syndrome.

2. Slippery Pulse (Hua Mai): Smooth and flowing; indicates phlegm, dampness, or food accumulation.

3. Wiry Pulse (Xian Mai): Taut and long; indicates liver and gallbladder issues or phlegm retention.

4. Tight Pulse (Jin Mai): Tense and tight; indicates excess cold or pain.

5. Long Pulse (Chang Mai): Long and straight; indicates excess Yang or heat syndrome.

6. Large Pulse (Da Mai): Wide and strong; indicates a contrast between illness and health.

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