Response to Z'ev's Inquiry re: pulses and more

[Guest guest]

Hello, Z'ev,

I finally have a moment to respond to your past inquiry:

 

" One question, however: I assume that you use the advanced pulse diagnostic

techniques you learned from Sung Baek, who I also greatly admire. I would

also assume that you base your treatment on the pulse diagnosis. So, how do

you use 'non-Chinese' treatment modalities, based on the pulse analysis? "

 

The system of pulse diagnosis that Sung so generously taught us is quite

sophisticated. We look at 108 positions (in the two-dimensional model,

one of several models) and assess the various qualities at each position.

In

life there is movement. The critical point in this type of diagnosing is to

discern the movement.

 

Let's take for example a pulse in the deep left proximal position. This

position reflects Kidney/Adrenal/Prostate function in men, and

Kidney/Adrenal/Ovarian function in women. If one presses very deeply

toward the bone until no pulse is felt, then one slightly raises the

fingers, one

can locate the vibration reflecting Jing activity, which often correlates

to endocrinal activity, which in this case correlates to Cortisol, DHEA, and

testosterone, or estrogen/progestrone. One has to qualify the pulse. Is

it thin and wiry, is it slippery, is it rapid or slow, etc.? One then

compares that quality to that of other positions. Is there an identical

vibration

in any other location?

 

In the Dong Han system, the deep right proximal position indicates Ming

Men energy. This movement reflects activation of Jing. The concentrated

essential nature of Jing is warmed and activated by this Ming Men

function. Is the pulse in this position in harmony with that of the deep

Kidney

position? Is the organ adequately capable of producing respective

hormones and is the neuroendocrine signalling system in order?

 

Ideally, each position should show a perfect sine wave. Any deviation

indicates disharmony.

 

Diagnosis results from comparing all the various movements.

 

For example, earlier I treated a patient complaining of rashes along the

arms, neck and face. The pulse movement reflecting this symptom was a

tight, slightly rapid (in comparison to the other positions), and slippery

movement entering the upper right distal position, at a fairly superficial

level, which corresponds to the large intestine meridian. I concluded that

there was damp heat in large intestine channel.

 

Naturally, this was only a small part of the picture. The above pulse

entering the large intestine channel was identical to the movement exiting

the Spleen position. When questioned, the patient confirmed digestive

irregularity with frequent gas and occasional diarrhea. He also confirmed

that the rashes frequently occurred 20 minutes after meals.

 

I suggested supplementation with digestive enzymes, a Western biochemical

intervention, as well as a Chinese herbal formula to address Damp Heat.

From further information gathered thru pulse diagnosis and interview, I

suspected that food allergies were involved. There was also a movement in

the pulses suggesting candidiasis. The patient had indeed recently gone

thru a course of antibiotics. I then referred him to a physician for a

Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis, a Western Functional medicine

methodology, in order to confirm my suspicion of " leaky gut " syndrome in

addition to candidiasis.

 

But this merely scratches the surface. This patient has a history of

night sweats. He is sexually very active. He has some symptoms of False

Fire....

This is reflected in the deep left proximal pulse location and is mirrored

in the above described Ming Men location. Again, upon questioning the

patient revealed that his physician has ordered lab work to assess adrenal

hormone status.

 

Once the Damp Heat symptoms resolve it is my intention to tonify Kidney

Jing. For this I would combine acupuncture and Qi Gong, carefully

monitoring the pulses with each needle placement (the right hand needles,

the left measures the pulses), with a Chinese herbal formula, and with

possible addition of DHEA, or testosterone, etc., as prescribed by his

physician. Because of the quality of his pulses, I suspect that this

combination will more quickly and deeply bring the patient to a state of

balance.

 

A common presentation in my practise is one of hypothyroidism in

post-menopausal women. The pulses reflect such a condition but the detail

involved is beyond the scope of this message. Briefly I look at the Ming

Men, San Jiao, Lung and Heart positions. Hypothyroidism is often linked

to hypoglycemia (Spleen/ Pancreas and Ming Men pulses) and to

hypoadrenalism (Kidney/ Adrenal and Ming Men). Besides acupuncture and

Chinese herbals,

I often suggest that these patients do a basal temperature assessment.

Depending on the results, I may suggest additional supplements, such as

Iodine and Tyrosine, or kelp, or I might refer them to a physician, who

might prescribe desiccated thyroid, or hypothalamus/ pituitary, or even

Synthroid. Naturally I also suggest life style changes in diet, exercise,

meditation, stress reduction, etc.

 

The pulses correlate to emotional, mental and physiological activity and

substance. Interpretation can be done in terms of Oriental Medicine or in

terms of Western medicine, provided one has the proper training.

Personally, I like to do both, though I find the Oriental way to be richer

and more comprehensive. There are many ways of assessing disharmony here

as well: 2 (Yin/Yang), 3 (Heaven, Earth, Man), 4 (Yin of Yang, etc.), 5

Phases or Elements, 6 Energies, 8 (ba gua, etc.) 9, 10 and 12, and even 60.

 

I hope this sufficiently addresses your inquiry.

 

health and happiness,

 

luke