Pulse Examination

From times immemorial the practitioners of Ayurveda have correctly diagnosed and treated ailments without the help of any tests except that of the pulse. The radial pulse is usually chosen as the site to examine the pulse. It reveals the characteristics of imbalances, the nature of the disease and expected prognosis.

Characteristics of Pulse

The distinctly different pulse movements (gati) for each dosha type are:

	VATA PULSE	PITTA PULSE	KAPHA PULSE
Characteristics	Fast, feeble, cold,light, thin, disappears on pressure	Prominent, strong, high amplitude, hot, forceful, lifts up the palpating fingers.	Deep, slow, broad wavy, thick, cool, warm, regular
Location	Best felt under the index finger	Best felt under the middle finger	Best felt under the ring finger
Gati	Moves like a cobra	Moves like a frog	Moves like a swimming swan

1) Fast, Narrow, Feeble, Cool, Irregular
Rate is 80-100 beats per minute The placement of the index finger denotes the pulse of vata. When this pulse predominates, the index finger feels the throbbing more strongly. And the pulse feels like the movement of a snake, quick and slithery.

2) Jumping, Excite, Prominent, Hot, Moderate, Regular Rate is 70-80 beats per minute The placement of the middle finger denotes the pulse of pitta. When this pulse predominates, the middle finger gets a stronger feel, it is active and jumpy like the movement of a frog.

3) Slow, Strong, Steady, Soft, Broad, Regular, Warm
Rate is 60 -70 beats per minute. The placement of the ring finger denotes the pulse of kapha. When this pulse predominates, the ring finger feels the strongest effect. This pulse is slow and resembles the floating of a swan.

Examination of Movement (Gati) and Their Conditions

MOVEMENT LIKE	CONDITION DENOTED
Cobra	Normal vata pulse
Frog	Normal pitta pulse
Swan	Normal kapha pulse
Leech	Arthritis, gout
Worm	Parasites, worms
Ant	Terminal illness
Peacock	Arterial hypertension, high cholesterol
Partridge	Gastric ulcer, enteritis
Quail	Prostatitis, cystitis
Crow	Aortic regurgitation
Pigeon	Bronchial asthma
Clock	Diabetes, albuminuria
Camel	Aortic stenosis, rheumatic valvular heart condition
Elephant	Lymphatic obstruction solid edema, Lymphosarcoma, elephantitis
Mountain	Heart block, bundle branch block
Irregular	Atrial fibrillation
Vibrating drum	Fatal illness, renal failure, shock
Lotus	Perfect health, enlightenment

The point to be remembered here being although early morning is the ideal time for pulse examination specially on an empty stomach, in case of an emergency, it can be examined at any time of the day or night for proper diagnosis.

The Biological Clock and the Pulse : A Symbolic Representation