The floating pulse

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A floating pulse is one that can be felt most strongly with the least

pressure on the wrist. Increase the pressure of the fingers on the wrist,

and the pulse can no longer be felt as strongly.

 

In most cases, a floating pulse will be a sign of Exterior Evil. The

Perncious Evil (Wind, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Cold) is attacking the

Exterior of the body (the meridians/ channels, the skin, the muscles, the

tendons, the bones, and the head, arms, and legs). Symptoms like stuffy

nose and sinuses, headaches, and pain in the arms and legs (including

arthritic pains in the joints are symptoms of an Exterior problem. In

contrast, pain in the trunk of the body, changes in behavior, bowel

movements, urination, etc. indicate an Interior imbalance (one that is

affecting the Organs). A sinking pulse - one that can be felt the strongest

with the most pressure on the wrist almost always indicates an Interior

imbalance.

 

But, there are two important exceptions to a floating pulse indicating an

Exterior problem. If the pulse is weak and floating, this can indicate

Deficiency of Yin or Blood. If the floating pulse also is strong, this can

indicate Interior Wind.

 

TCM healers look at the total picture and consider everything in relation to

other factors. For example, if an otherwise healthy person presents with

nasal congestion that came on suddenly, the floating pulse probably is a

sign of External Evil, more specifically Exterior Excess. But let's say the

stuffy nose problems has been going on for some time, says weeks or months

and. In other words, it's chronic. And every time the wind blows or there's

a sudden cold or heat snap, the problem worsens. The floating pulse in this

case probably is a sign of Exterior Deficiency. (Note: Exterior Deficiency

sounds like a contradiction in terms, but it does occur. There usually is

an underlying problem of Qi or Blood Deficiency in these cases. The

analysis according to the 8 Principal Patterns is External and Internal

Imbalance.

 

If other Internal symptoms are present, this points even more strongly to a

floating pulse being a sign of Deficiency instead of a sign of External

problems. In some of these cases even though the pulse is floating there

may be few if any symptoms of Exterior imbalance. A floating and weak pulse

can indicate Yin and/or Blood Deficiency.

 

Note the second exception: A floating pulse if strong can indicate Interior

Wind. This actually ties in with the first exception because Blood

Deficiency can generate Internal Wind. Not all cases of Blood Deficiency

generate Internal Wind, and Blood Deficiency is not the only possible Root

of Internal Wind. Extreme Heat and prolonged Liver Yang imbalance also can

generate Internal Wind.

 

I also have some questions about the previous article that links Phlegm to

dizziness in every case. Liver Blood Deficiency also can manifest as

dizziness.

 

Victoria

 

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