The first Ayurvedic classic to describe pulse examination is Saarangadhara Samhita (13th century A.D.). Ayurvedic physician touches your wrist to sense pulse to probe deep into general state of health, illness and even bad prognosis. The wrist pulse on the right hand is for the men and on the left hand for the women.
During pulse examination, Ayurvedic doctors look for various factors, they are:
- Gati (Movement)
- Vega (Rate)
- Tala (Rhythm)
- Bala (Force)
- Akruti (Volume and Tension)
- Tapamana (Temperature)
- Kathinya (Consistency of the Vessel Wall)
Investigation reveals the prakrti and vikrti of the patient.
Pulse diagnosis
Before checking your own pulse, you have to flex your right arm and wrist. Locate the radial stylus; the bump located outside wrist bone just under the thumb. Bring your left hand from underneath of the right hand and place your index finger just below this bump, where you will find the radial artery. Now place first three fingers and press until sense throbbing in all the three fingers distinctly. Then decrease the pressure slightly to sense varying pulse movements. Deep and superficial impulses indicate the tridosha conditions; three basic metabolic principles governing bodily activities in balanced state and causes disease in a disturbed state.
Pulse diagnosis Prakruti
When the constitution of vata predominates, the index finger pulse is most noticeable; pitta predominates, the middle finger pulse is most noticeable; kapha predominates, the ring finger pulse is most noticeable. All three pulses are present in everyone, but most prominent one, two or rarely three signals the particular body type. This examination is better performing thrice with few seconds of interval.
Pulse diagnosis is the ancient art and science of diagnosing person’s physical, mental and psychological status. Nadi or pulse is the vital energy flow through bodily channel, which enable to feel status of health not just counting the beats. The entire health and functioning of the mind body constitution; doshas balance or imbalance, health of various organs, and prior warning signs can determine from the pulse reading. This help to re-establish dosha balance, prevent disease, correct problems, and maintain health.
Early morning is the ideal time for pulse examination, specifically when you are in empty stomach. However, in case of emergency practitioners can examine at any time of the day or night.
Observe radial pulse with index, middle and ring fingers; pulse from left and ring hand provides two different indicators, thus check pulse on both hands. Avoid taking pulse after exertion, bathing, eating, sex or massage, because it can influence pulse largely.
You may also take pulse from
- Temporal artery – is just above the temple on the side of the head.
- Carotid artery – is on the side of the neck above the clavicle.
- Femoral artery – is on the inside front of the leg where it joins the pelvis.
- Brachial artery – is on the inside of the arm above the elbow.
- Posterior tibial – is on the foot behind the ankle.
- Dorsalis pedis – is on the top of the foot.
The index finger belongs to the element air help monitor vata dosha. The middle finger belongs to the element fire help monitor pitta dosha. The ring finger belongs to the element water help monitor kapha dosha.
- The index finger position is the place of vata dosha. When vata is the predominant constitution, you can feel a strong pulse here. The pulse character will be irregular, low force, fast, feeble, cold, light, thin, disappears on pressure. This character resembles the movement of cobra (snake). Pulse rate is 80 to 100 beats per minute.
- The middle finger position is the place of pitta dosha. When pitta is the predominant constitution, you can feel a strong pulse here. The pulse character will be regular, high force, prominent, strong, high amplitude, hot, forceful, lifts palpating finger. This character resembles the movement of frog. Pulse rate is 70 to 80 beats per minute.
- The ring finger position is the place of kapha dosha. When kapha is the predominant constitution, you can feel a strong pulse here. The pulse character will be regular with moderate force, deep, slow, broad, wavy, thick, cool or warm, regular. This character resembles the movement of swan. Pulse rate is 50 to 60 beats per minute.
To observe your own pulse; flex your arm & wrist, place your index, middle & ring fingers gently on the wrist (just below wrist bone), and check the pulse. Then slightly decrease finger pressure to sense varying pulse movement.
Pulse diagnosis in right wrist
Pulse diagnosis is not only helps to assess constitution; it is also useful to sense status of the body's organs by examining the superficial and deep pulsations. The pulse not only corresponds to the heartbeat; additionally, it reveals most important meridians of the all-vital organs.
- The index finger on the right wrist feels the activity of the large intestine with a superficial touch and activity of the lungs with a firmer deeper touch. A prominent throbbing on the right side with superficial touch indicates vata aggravation in the large intestine. A strong throbbing with firm deeper touch indicates congestion in the lungs.
- The middle finger on the right wrist senses the activity of the gallbladder with a superficial touch and activity of the liver with deeper touch.
- The ring finger senses the pericardium (outer covering of the heart) with a superficial touch and relationship of vata-pitta-kapha with deeper touch.
Pulse diagnosis in the left wrist
- The index finger on the left wrist feels the activity of the small intestine with a superficial touch and activity of the heart with deeper touch.
- The middle finger on the left wrist senses the activity of the stomach with superficial touch and activity of the spleen with deeper touch.
- The ring finger senses the activity of the bladder with a superficial touch and activity of the kidney with deeper touch.
There are variations in the pulse at different times of the day, such as urination, during hunger or feeling anger.
Proficiency in pulse diagnosis is a skillful art and science gain by long practice, alertness and guidance from the preceptor.