Written by/ TCM Medical Theory
When the east wind blows, all pulses exhibit a string-like quality. At this time, the vital energy of a person may also encounter issues. In spring, all things are born, and the pulse becomes hard, showing a string-like appearance. In autumn, it tends to show a retraction. However, some individuals do not retract; the wood energy is excessive, while the metal energy desires to retract. Initially, the little metal energy cannot withstand the wood energy, and only in late autumn, when the metal energy truly commands, can it suppress the wood energy. Even so, many people’s pulse patterns still predominantly exhibit a string quality.
Throughout the four seasons, the string pulse is predominant, which is a matter of innate constitution. Such individuals are prone to tension, palpitations, diarrhea, and may also exhibit symptoms of liver wood overcoming and stealing leakage, such as night sweats. In the six divisions, what does a hard liver pulse indicate? It can be string, string and slow, string and slippery, or string yet weak.
When first learning about pulse diagnosis, one may struggle to understand the various pulse types, grasping the theory but lacking depth of understanding. What exactly is a string pulse? What does it feel like? It is difficult to comprehend how it forms. Why does the string pulse occur? How does the hard pulse come about? By analyzing from the perspective of internal organs, one gradually begins to develop a sense of it.
Firstly, in early spring, the yang energy begins to awaken. At the initial stage of this awakening, the external environment is still characterized by cold and yin. The winter solstice marks the birth of yang, and at this time, the cold energy is at its peak.
Of course, the coldest time is during the Great Cold. By this time, the yang energy is still continuously rising, and the resistance is very strong. Therefore, during this period, the pulse is string-like, deep yet stringy, indicating that the string pulse desires to rise but cannot.
“疾” (ji) does not necessarily mean fast. Pulses can be classified as “疾” (fast) or “缓” (slow). For instance, in Tai Chi practice, a skilled teacher can complete a set in seven to eight minutes, while we may take thirty minutes, yet it does not feel fast. The movements are smooth, steady, and gentle. Conversely, if we finish in fifteen minutes, it feels rushed. This illustrates the difference between fast and slow. Some may not run fast but try to run quickly, appearing very fast; others may work quickly but seem hurried. Conversely, some can perform tasks very skillfully, even if their movements are quick, they do not feel rushed, completing them in a very gentle manner, which is called the difference between fast and slow.
Fast and slow are sensations; slippery and rough are also sensations. There are many pulse types; some describe the pulse body, while others describe the pulse momentum. The pulse body focuses on the physical aspect, while the pulse momentum focuses on the sensation, which are two different things. A slippery pulse can sometimes be a slippery body or a slippery momentum. Slippery momentum indicates that the pulse flows smoothly without obstruction.
A slippery body represents fullness. As stated in the Neijing, it refers to a more abundant body. The body is full, but the flow is not smooth. It is like water flowing abundantly but feeling blocked at some point, indicating that the wood energy is not flowing smoothly. Clinically, many patients exhibit a string and slippery pulse, with abundant liver qi. Upon inquiry, they often report constipation. Why? The wood energy cannot be regulated; it is stagnant, and the qi and blood are obstructed, leading to constipation. They may frequently feel the urge to use the restroom but find it difficult, indicating that the wood energy is not harmoniously flowing. At this time, one will feel both a slippery pulse body and a rough momentum, which is called a slippery body yet rough momentum. The Neijing emphasizes the body being more abundant.
Our pulse methods often focus on the body, but there are also those that focus on momentum and internal usage. Therefore, when distinguishing pulses and reading ancient texts, it is essential to differentiate clearly. Otherwise, mixing up body and function will lead to confusion. Afterward, one may find oneself in conflict with oneself, and after the conflict, one may claim that the ancient texts are not credible. Many scholars today do this. We should not hastily criticize the ancients. We merely seek to understand the aspects they wish to convey and extract what we can comprehend from it.