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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
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