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Cun, Guan, and Chi are the positions of the pulse. Floating (Fu), Deep (Chen), Slippery (Hua), and Choppy (Se) are the characteristics of the pulse. Establishing the position and distinguishing the characteristics, using finger sensations to infer pathological conditions, is the essential method for pulse diagnosis. The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: Generally speaking, when diagnosing the pulse, if the pulses in the three positions of both hands are slippery yet slow, neither floating nor deep, neither long nor short, and regular in their coming and going, it indicates the absence of disease.

If the Cun Kou (Inch Port, radial artery at the wrist) pulse is Floating (Fu), it indicates Wind Injury; Tight (Jin), Cold Damage; Wiry (Xian), Food Stagnation; Floating and Slow (Huan), Wind Stroke; Floating and Rapid (Shu), Headache; Floating and Tight, Cold above the diaphragm and cold fluid retention below the costal region; Deep and Tight, Cold in the epigastrium with accumulated pain; Deep and Weak, Deficiency and Damage; Slow and Delayed, Deficient Cold; Minute and Weak, Deficiency of both Qi and Blood; Wiry, it may indicate headache or water retention in the epigastrium; Double Wiry, pain below both hypochondria; Unilateral Absence, hemiplegia; Pulse resembling fat floating on soup surface indicates slight Yang Qi; Pulse continuous but thin as a spider's thread indicates declining Yang Qi.

The Guan position governs matters of the Middle Jiao (chest and abdomen). A pulse that comes slowly and gently indicates health. A Floating pulse indicates abdominal fullness and loss of appetite due to Spleen/Stomach deficiency causing distension; a Slippery pulse indicates exogenous heat residing internally; a Rapid pulse indicates heat accumulation in the Middle Jiao; a Deep and Hidden pulse indicates water qi in the Middle Jiao, or vomiting, regurgitation, and acid reflux; a Weak pulse indicates deficient Stomach Qi; although there may be deficient heat, strong purgatives must not be used, as removing the heat may lead to the generation of cold; a Firm and Solid pulse indicates abdominal fullness, dysphagia, obstruction, or severe abdominal pain with a choppy sensation, indicating rebellious Qi; a Knifelike (Kou) pulse indicates bleeding in the stool; a Choppy, hard, large, and solid pulse that does not diminish under pressure and is forceful indicates real pathogenic accumulation in the stomach; a slightly Floating pulse indicates unresolved accumulated heat and restless roundworms causing palpitations.

The Chi position governs matters of the Lower Jiao, including the waist, kidneys, knees, shins, and feet. A Floating Chi pulse indicates wind-heat causing difficult urination; a Deep Chi pulse indicates lower back pain and insufficiency of Shen Qi; a Rapid Chi pulse indicates heat and pain below the umbilicus, dark red urine, and aversion to cold; a Delayed Chi pulse indicates Lower Jiao cold and Yin deficiency; a Tight Chi pulse indicates acute pain in the lower abdomen below the umbilicus; a Slow/Relaxed Chi pulse indicates weak legs, edema below, and flaccid paralysis; a Weak Chi pulse indicates cold in the lower body and decline of Kidney Qi; a Soft Chi pulse indicates inability to support the feet, wind-bi syndrome, and difficult urination; a Hidden Chi pulse indicates lower abdominal pain, hernia, and masses, with undigested food in stool; a Thready Chi pulse indicates loose stools and cold in the lower body; a Knifelike Chi pulse indicates painful, bloody urination and lower body deficiency; a Firm and small Chi pulse indicates cold-bi in the feet and knees with dull pain in the soles; a Thready and rapid Chi pulse indicates tendon spasms preventing walking; an intermittent pulse indicates stagnant Qi in the lower abdomen of men, and irregular menstruation in women.