Learning Pulse Diagnosis at the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medical Diagnosis

At this time of year, second year students start learning Pulse Diagnosis at the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ICTCM). Did you know that there are four distinctive ways of gathering diagnostically useful information in Chinese Medicine? These are referred to as Asking, Listening, Looking and Palpating. Pulse Diagnosis is part of Palpating (feeling).

Learning Pulse Diagnosis

Chinese Medical Pulse Diagnosis looks similar to, but is not the same as, “taking the pulse” in Western Medicine. It is one of the pillars of TCM Diagnosis and has been used in China for thousands of years. Chinese Medicine understands that the pulse, which is usually palpated at the radial artery on the wrist, can reveal important information about the internal state of the person’s Body, Mind and Spirit. It can assess the quality and quantity of their Five Vital Substances and the healthy functioning of their Zangfu. The TCM student is learning Pulse Diagnosis so that they can use it to assess a person’s health and diagnose imbalances. It provides a holistic insight into a client’s health.

Taking the pulse effectively requires plenty of practice. It is something students need to do repeatedly and which they will always be refining. When students are learning pulse diagnosis at the ICTCM they are encouraged to take as many pulses as possible whenever they can, to build up the sensitivity needed and discernment required to take the pulse effectively. Of course, in conjunction with refining their pulse-taking skills, they also have to learn and absorb a great deal of theoretical information about the significance of different types of pulse quality.

This diagnostic tool is invaluable in cases where a client cannot describe their medical problem clearly, does not speak the same language as the pratitioner or, for whatever reason, is unable to articulate or explain their situation. However, although Pulse Diagnosis is highly prized, the practitioner of Chinese Medicine will still use all the diagnostic methods available to them to build up a full picture before making a TCM diagnosis and carrying out a treatment – often using TCM Acupuncture.

Learning Pulse Diagnosis on the Lic.TCM Course

This is just one of many fascinating aspects of Chinese Medical Diagnosis that students learn at the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine as part of the Licentiate in TCM. If you are thinking of studying TCM or TCM Acupuncture you should ensure that the course you choose includes Pulse Diagnosis.

If you would like to view our course syllabus you can find it at this link as well as general information about the Lic.TCM .