Pulse Diagnosis: The Mai Jing A-B-C Method

This method of pulse diagnosis is easy to learn, clarifies underlying theory and shows hard to diagnose aspects such as the 5 Element constitution and 8 Extraordinary vessel imbalances.

The Mai Jing A-B-C pulse diagnosis technique is presented in detail. It gives a clear picture of the 8 Extraordinary Vessels and importantly gives an accurate reading of the elemental imbalance (CF in 5 Element practice). This latter aspect is quite a revolution for 5 element practice as the reading very much complements and corroborates findings of CSOE (colour, sound, odour, emotion). With a unique notation method and a clarification of the position and character of the pulse, we can re-discover the dynamic qualities of the pulse qualities that we already know.

With an enhanced method of pulse diagnosis that we are confident in, we can in turn better understand the meaning of certain important topics in Chinese Medicine theory; this makes for a significant difference to clinical results and enjoyment of practice.

Background:

The method derives from a careful assessment of the pulse methods found in the classic of the pulse, the Mai Jing (circa 200 – 300 CE) It uses methods found in that classic that are easy to use and easy to learn, and can make a significant improvement to clinical practice.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Gaining the skills of the method of clearly palpating the radial artery, with the patient on a couch and the wrist in a vertical position.
2. Understanding the three broad steps of A, B and C.
3. Step A: Understanding the importance of the assessment of the overall quality the so called “big picture” to diagnose the 8 principles, and gaining confidence in doing this diagnosis with all three fingers moving and palpating as one. [This method may already be the way some practitioners do their pulse diagnosis, but in my experience most practitioners focus more on the assessment of individual pulse positions, so this step is more of a simplification and clarification of existing knowledge that usually has quite a impressive effect for learners]
4. Step B: Gaining skills in the method of diagnosis of the 8 Extraordinary Vessels from the pulse including the understanding and technique of palpating the sides of the artery.
5. Step C: Gaining skills in the method of the 5 level pulse diagnosis which uncovers which element is unbalanced in the person’s system, and understanding the relevance of that information in relation to the patient’s emotional life and their overall physiology.
6. (If time allows) understanding the relevance and gaining the skills in some of the other “Advanced techniques” presented in the Essential Pulse Diagnosis book to enhance the above framework.
7. Understanding how the pulse reading responds to treatment and the relevance of that to the patient’s condition.
8. Understanding how to integrate these new methods into our existing understanding and skill set.
9. Understanding how to see ourselves as researchers into the pulse ourselves, using the classical sources of the Mai Jing on one side, and the needs and condition of the patients on the other.