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Chapter 6: Correspondence Methods of the Three Pulse Positions

Regarding floating (Fu), sunken (Chen), wiry (Xian), tight (Jin), choppy (Se), and slippery (Hua) pulses: if found at the Cun Kou position (radial artery pulse point), it indicates disease above the diaphragm (head). If found at the Guan position, it indicates disease below the stomach.

Standard Correspondence Method for Cun Kou Pulse:
A hand Cun Kou pulse that is slippery yet slow, neither sunken nor floating, neither long nor short, indicates a state of health; the same applies to both left and right hands. Regarding excess or deficiency in the Cun Kou pulse: if the pulse feels short upon palpation, it is called headache. If it feels long, it is called pain in the shins and feet. If it feels rapid and strikes upward against the fingers, it is called shoulder and back pain. A Cun Kou pulse that is sunken and firm indicates disease in the interior (middle jiao). A Cun Kou pulse that is floating and vigorous indicates disease in the exterior. A Cun Kou pulse that is sunken and weak indicates alternating cold and heat, as well as hernia and abdominal masses, with pain in the lower abdomen. ("Heat" is rendered as "Qi" or "Zhong" in some editions.) A Cun Kou pulse that is sunken and weak suggests hair loss. A Cun Kou pulse that is sunken and tight indicates heart suffering, cold in the epigastrium causing intermittent pain, and accumulation of pathogenic factors. A Cun Kou pulse that is sunken and slippery indicates water-Qi in the chest, swelling of the face and eyes, slight fever, constituting Wind-Edema (Feng Shui). A Cun Kou pulse that is sunken, large, and slippery implies blood excess (sunken) and Qi excess (slippery); when Blood and Qi contend, invasion into the Zang organs leads to death, while invasion into the Fu organs leads to recovery. A sunken Cun Kou pulse indicates shortness of breath in the chest. A Cun Kou pulse that is sunken with panting indicates cold and heat disorders. A floating and slippery Cun Kou pulse indicates internal head pain. A large and floating Cun Kou pulse, which feels choppy upon pressure, accompanied by a faint and choppy Chi pulse, indicates stagnant Qi and retained food. A wiry and tight Cun Kou pulse implies obstruction of Defensive Qi (Wei Qi); obstruction of Wei Qi leads to aversion to cold and water flowing through the intestines. A tight or floating Cun Kou pulse indicates cold above the diaphragm and water-Qi below the lungs. A tight pulse extending to the Cun Kou indicates Wind-Stroke (Zhong Feng) or wind-induced headache. (The *Qianjin Yi Fang* states this also applies to Cold Damage headache.) A wiry pulse extending to the Cun Kou indicates retained food. Descending pulses indicate headache. A wiry and large Cun Kou pulse in women indicates miscarriage and dripping bleeding; in men, it indicates loss of blood and essence. A faint and weak Cun Kou pulse implies aversion to cold (faint) and fever (weak); if sweating should occur but does not, there is bone joint pain and irritability; if irritability should occur but does not, or if there is profuse sweating. A faint and weak Cun Kou pulse indicates deficiency of both Qi and Blood; men may vomit blood, women may have lower bleeding, and vomit fluid. A moving and weak Cun Kou pulse indicates fright (moving) and palpitations (weak). A slow and delayed Cun Kou pulse indicates deficiency (slow) and cold (delayed); the combination of deficiency and cold creates a desire for warm food, while cold food causes throat pain. A delayed and slow Cun Kou pulse indicates cold (delayed) and Qi (slow); the contention of cold Qi causes cramping pain. A delayed and choppy Cun Kou pulse indicates cold (delayed) and insufficient Blood (choppy). A pulse extending past the Cun Kou into the Yu Ji area indicates urinary incontinence. A pulse emerging from the Yu Ji area indicates rebellious Qi and panting. A solid Cun Kou pulse indicates Heart labor. A Cun Kou pulse resembling the fat floating on soup indicates weak Yang Qi. A continuous pulse like a spider's thread indicates declining Yin Qi. Absence of Yang pulse in the anterior part of both hands indicates heart suffering, cold toxicity in the epigastrium, and heat in the mouth. Unilateral absence of the Cun Kou pulse leads to hemiplegia; bilateral absence is incurable. A Cun Kou pulse that temporarily becomes large then small indicates Yin collateral disease, suffering from Yin-Wind Bi syndrome with spontaneous onset and a sensation of cold washing over the body. A Cun Kou pulse that temporarily becomes small then large indicates Yang collateral disease, suffering from skin diseases, sweating with aversion to cold, and numbness in the lower body. For a floating Cun Kou pulse indicating wind-stroke with fever and headache, administer Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) or Ge Gen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction), needle Feng Chi (GB20) and Feng Fu (GV16, acupuncture points), warm the body near fire, apply wind-treating ointment, and cover to induce sweating. For a tight Cun Kou pulse indicating severe headache due to Cold Damage, administer Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) to induce sweating, needle Mei Chong (EX-HN20) and Nei Ting (ST44 - note: text says Nie, likely referring to temporal region or specific point), and apply cold-damage ointment. For a faint Cun Kou pulse indicating nasal hemorrhage due to cold, administer Wu Wei Zi Tang (Schisandra Decoction) or Ma Huang Zhu Yu Gao (Ephedra and Cornus Ointment) to induce sweating. A rapid Cun Kou pulse indicates vomiting due to heat steaming the chest from the Stomach; induce vomiting via medication, needle Wei Wan (CV12), and administer heat-clearing decoctions. If after 7-10 days of Cold Damage, heat in the middle causes fullness and thirst, administer Zhi Mu Tang (Anemarrhena Decoction). A surging Cun Kou pulse with chest and hypochondriac fullness indicates administration of Sheng Jiang Tang (Fresh Ginger Decoction) or Bai Wei Wan (Cynanchum Pill), or purging with Zi Wan Tang (Aster Decoction). Needle Shang Wan (CV13), Qi Men (LR14), and Zhang Men (LR13). A slow Cun Kou pulse with insensate skin and wind-cold in muscles indicates administration of Fang Feng Tang (Saposhnikovia Decoction) and herbal compresses; moxa various wind-treating points. A slippery Cun Kou pulse indicating Yang excess, chest oppression, and vomiting indicates administration of Qian Hu Tang (Peucedanum Decoction) and draining via Tai Yang (BL67 - note: context implies local or relevant point, text says Tai Yang) and Ju Que (CV14). A wiry Cun Kou pulse with epigastric hardness, mild headache, and water-Qi in the epigastrium indicates Gan Sui Wan (Kansui Pill) and draining via Qi Men (LR14). A weak Cun Kou pulse indicating deficient Yang and spontaneous sweating indicates Fu Ling Tang (Poria Decoction) and Nei Bu San (Internal Tonifying Powder), dietary regulation, avoiding overexertion, and tonifying via Wei Wan (CV12). A choppy Cun Kou pulse indicates insufficient Stomach Qi; administer Gan Di Huang Tang (Rehmannia Decoction), regulate diet, and tonify via Wei Wan (CV12) or Zu San Li (ST36). A knifelike (Kou) Cun Kou pulse indicates hematemesis; a faint knifelike pulse indicates epistaxis due to blood loss and emptiness; administer Zhu Pi Tang (Bamboo Peel Decoction) or Huang Tu Tang (Yellow Earth Decoction), and moxa Dan Zhong (CV17). A hidden Cun Kou pulse with rebellious Qi pain in the chest and water-Qi indicates Ze Qi Tang (Phytolacca Decoction) and draining via Ju Que (CV14). A soft and weak Cun Kou pulse with spontaneous sweating indicates deficiency exhaustion; administer Gan Di Huang Tang, Shu Yao Wan (Dioscorea Pill), Nei Bu San, or Mu Li San (Oyster Shell Powder), dust powder on the body, and tonify via Tai Chong (LR3). A delayed Cun Kou pulse indicates upper Jiao cold, heart pain, acid regurgitation, and sour vomiting; administer Fu Zi Tang (Aconite Decoction), Sheng Jiang Tang, or Zhu Yu Wan (Cornus Pill), and warm via diet. A solid Cun Kou pulse indicates heat in Spleen and Lung with vomiting and Qi blockage; deficiency indicates cold in Spleen and Stomach with indigestion. Heat requires Zhu Ye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction) or Ge Gen Tang; cold requires Zhu Yu Wan or Sheng Jiang Tang. A fine Cun Kou pulse with fever and vomiting indicates Huang Qin Long Dan Tang (Scutellaria and Gentiana Decoction); if vomiting persists, Ju Pi Jie Geng Tang (Tangerine Peel and Platycodon Decoction) and moxa Zhong Fu (LU1).

Standard Correspondence Method for Guan Position:
A floating and large Guan pulse indicates wind in the Stomach, gasping with open mouth and raised shoulders, palpitations in the epigastrium, anorexia, and nausea. A slightly floating Guan pulse indicates accumulated heat in the Stomach, vomiting of roundworms, and forgetfulness. A slippery Guan pulse of unequal size indicates inevitable vomiting and rebellion, signaling impending illness that will recur within two to three days; excessive thirst leading to diarrhea indicates survival if diarrhea stops, but death if it continues. A tight and slippery Guan pulse indicates moving roundworms. A wiry and long Guan pulse (large in *Yi Fang*) with stabbing pain around the umbilicus indicates accumulation in the surrounding area (*Mai Jing*). A choppy, firm, large, and solid Guan pulse that remains forceful under pressure indicates Middle Jiao excess, latent knotting in Spleen and Lung Qi obstruction, and excess heat in the Stomach. A large Guan pulse with thin Cun and Chi pulses indicates cold accumulation in the heart and abdomen, mass formation, and craving for hot food. A fluctuating Guan pulse varying in size and rate indicates Spleen-Stomach weakness with cold-heat conflict, anorexia, and malarial-like symptoms. A floating Guan pulse with abdominal fullness and anorexia indicates false fullness; administer Ping Wei Wan (Peace the Stomach Pill), Fu Ling Tang, or Sheng Jiang Qian Hu Tang, needle Wei Wan (CV12) with draining followed by tonifying. A tight Guan pulse with painful epigastric fullness indicates excess; administer Zhu Yu Dang Gui Tang (Cornus and Angelica Decoction) with added Da Huang (Rhubarb); needle Ju Que (CV14) and Xia Wan (CV10) to drain. A faint Guan pulse indicates cold in the Stomach and epigastric tension; administer Fu Zi Tang, Sheng Jiang Tang, or Fu Zi Wan, and tonify via Ju Que (CV14). A rapid Guan pulse indicates guest-heat in the Stomach; administer Zhi Mu Tang (or Pill) or Chu Re Tang (Remove Heat Decoction), needle Ju Que (CV14) and Shang Wan (CV13) to drain. A slow Guan pulse with anorexia indicates Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency; administer Ping Wei Wan or Pi Bu Tang, and tonify via Zhang Men (LR13). A slippery Guan pulse indicates heat in the Stomach causing Qi fullness and anorexia with vomiting upon eating; administer Xiao Shi Ma Huang Tang (Gypsum and Ephedra Decoction) or Ping Wei Wan (or Zi Wan Ren Shen Da Ping Wei Wan), and drain via Wei Wan (CV12). A wiry Guan pulse indicates cold in the Stomach and epigastric reversal; weak Qi indicates deficiency; administer Zhu Yu Tang, regulate diet warmly, and tonify via Wei Wan (CV12). A weak Guan pulse indicates deficient Stomach Qi and guest-heat; since heat should not be aggressively drained lest cold arise, administer Zhu Ye Tang and tonify via Wei Wan (CV12). A deficient and fine Guan pulse with abdominal fullness indicates administration of Sheng Jiang Tang, Zhu Yu Shu Jiao Tang (Cornus and Sichuan Pepper Decoction), or Bai Wei Wan, and moxa/acupuncture the Three Wan points. A choppy Guan pulse indicates rebellious and cold Qi/Blood; choppy signifies Blood deficiency; administer Gan Di Huang Tang or Si Bu San, and tonify via Zu Tai Chong (LR3). A knifelike Guan pulse with bloody stool indicates administration of Sheng Di Huang and Sheng Zhu Pi Tang, and moxa Ge Shu (BL17); for severe bleeding, needle Guan Yuan (CV4) or use Long Gu Wan (Dragon Bone Pill). A hidden Guan pulse with watery diarrhea indicates administration of Shui Yin Wan (Mercury Pill), needle Guan Yuan (CV4) to promote urination and stop diarrhea. A surging Guan pulse indicates Stomach heat with irritability and fullness; administer Ping Wei Wan, needle Wei Wan (CV12) with draining then tonifying. A sunken Guan pulse with cold Qi in the epigastrium, fullness, and acid regurgitation indicates administration of Bai Wei Wan, Fu Ling Wan, or Fu Zi Tang, and tonify via Wei Wan (CV12). A soft Guan pulse indicating deficiency-cold and weak Spleen Qi with chronic downward issues indicates administration of Chi Shi Zhi Tang (Halloysite Decoction) or Nu Wei Wan (Ancylis Pill), and tonify via Guan Yuan (CV4). A delayed Guan pulse indicates Stomach cold; administer Gui Zhi Wan (Cinnamon Twig Pill) or Zhu Yu Tang, and tonify via Wei Wan (CV12). A solid Guan pulse with Stomach pain indicates administration of Zhi Zi Tang (Gardenia Decoction) or Zhu Yu Wu Tou Wan (Cornus and Aconite Pill), and tonify via Wei Wan (CV12). A firm Guan pulse indicates Spleen-Stomach Qi obstruction and盛 heat causing rumbling abdominal fullness...

Standard Correspondence Method for Chi Position:
A floating Chi pulse indicates guest-Yang in the Lower Jiao. A weak Chi pulse indicates cold Lower Jiao, lack of Yang Qi, and rising heat to the head and face. A weak Chi with strong Cun indicates injury to Stomach collaterals. A slippery and rapid Chi pulse with flushed face indicates external heat disease. A fine and minute Chi pulse indicates loose stools and cold diarrhea (*Su Wen*: cold Chi and fine pulse denotes posterior diarrhea). A deficient and small Chi pulse indicates cold shins, flaccidity, Bi syndrome, and foot pain. A choppy Chi pulse indicates lower bleeding, difficult urination, and profuse sweating (*Su Wen*: choppy Chi and slippery pulse denotes profuse sweating). A sunken and slippery Chi pulse indicates Ascaris (Inchworm). A fine and urgent Chi pulse indicates tendon spasms, Bi syndrome, and inability to walk. A large Chi pulse indicates heat in the Bladder with red, painful urination. A coarse and hot Chi pulse indicates Internal Heat, waist/hip pain, and red-hot urination. An unceasing Chi pulse upon pressure indicates amenorrhea in women; if harmonious and slippery with Guan, it indicates excess Qi and Blood in men, or pregnancy in women. An interrupted Chi pulse indicates stagnant Qi in the lower abdomen of men, or irregular menstruation in women. Weak and soft pulses at both Cun and Chi indicate internal heat, cold extremities, and sweating. Sunken pulses at both Cun and Chi with absent Guan indicates distressing panting in the epigastrium; if Guan is present, it indicates cold epigastric pain, cold genitals, and leg Bi. Faint pulses at both Cun and Chi indicate lack of mental energy, reluctance to speak, Qi-Blood deficiency, weak legs, and shortness of breath. Rapid pulses at both Cun and Chi indicate heat in hands, feet, head, and face; delayed pulses indicate cold and wind-cold in these areas. A floating Chi pulse with lower wind-heat and difficult urination indicates Qu Mai Tang (Dianthus Decoction) and Hua Shi San (Talcum Powder), draining Heng Gu (KI11) and Guan Yuan (CV4). A tight Chi pulse with suprapubic pain indicates Dang Gui Tang (Angelica Decoction), moxa Tian Shu (ST25), and tonifying Guan Yuan (CV4). A faint Chi pulse with cold limbs, suprapubic tension, and cold Qi indicates Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) and tonifying Qi Hai (CV6). A rapid Chi pulse with aversion to cold, suprapubic heat/pain, and red-yellow urine indicates Ji Zi Tang (Chicken Egg Decoction), Bai Yu San (White Fish Powder), and draining Heng Gu (KI11). A slow Chi pulse with weak legs, lower edema, difficult urination, and dribbling indicates Hua Shi Tang (Talcum Decoction) or Qu Mai San, draining Heng Gu (KI11). A slippery Chi pulse indicates excess Qi and Blood with meridian obstruction; administer Xiao Shi Da Huang Tang (Gypsum and Rhubarb Decoction) to purge menstrual blood, draining Guan Yuan (CV4). A wiry Chi pulse with lower abdominal pain and cramping in legs indicates Jian Zhong Tang (Construct the Middle Decoction) or Dang Gui Tang, draining Qi Hai (CV6). A weak Chi pulse with Qi deficiency, fever, and bone vexation indicates Qian Hu Tang or Gan Di Huang Fu Ling Tang, tonifying Guan Yuan (CV4). A choppy Chi pulse with cold lower legs and red urine indicates Fu Zi Si Ni Tang (Aconite Four Reversal Decoction) and tonifying Zu Tai Chong (LR3). A knifelike Chi pulse indicates Lower Jiao deficiency with bloody urine; administer Zhu Pi Sheng Di Huang Tang, moxa Dan Tian (CV8) and Guan Yuan (CV4). A hidden Chi pulse with lower abdominal pain, hernia, and indigestion indicates Da Ping Wei Wan or Jie Geng Wan, tonifying Guan Yuan (CV4). A sunken Chi pulse with back pain indicates Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) and tonifying Jing Men (GB25). A soft Chi pulse with foot collapse, wind-Bi, and difficult urination indicates Qu Mai Tang or Bai Yu San, draining Guan Yuan (CV4). A firm Chi pulse with abdominal fullness and genital urgency indicates Ting Li Zhu Yu Wan (Descurainia and Cornus Pill), moxa/acupuncture Dan Tian (CV8), Guan Yuan (CV4), and Zhong Ji (CV3). A delayed Chi pulse indicates Lower Jiao cold; administer Gui Zhi Wan, draining Qi Hai (CV6) and Guan Yuan (CV4). A solid Chi pulse with lower abdominal pain and urinary incontinence indicates Dang Gui Tang with added Da Huang to promote bowel movement.