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Pulses!

by sophiek - March 20, 2026

Hi Steve,

I am wondering if you can help with some pulse diagnosis questions, now I have been practicing this more!

For the Floating / Superficial Wind Invasion pulse – how to differentiate this from a Yin deficiency pulse;
- The Superficial (Wind invasion) pulse is rounded and toned at superficial layer (like you would expect with a Full pulse), and broad, but then shatters with pressure
- In comparison the Yin deficiency pulse (also described as floating) is finer, weaker, and but still disappears at deeper levels with compression?

How do you differentiate a Qi Deficiency pulse and Yin Deficiency pulse in super old dogs? Both would seem to be weak, fine, thready?

The Shao Yang Pulse when Yang is in the exterior (Yang separating from Yin) is described as rapid, floating, weak – how is this different to a Superficial Wind Invasion or Yin deficiency pulse?

And finally, a slippery pulse vs pulse that would indicate the use of Qing Ying Tang
- Both are described as rapid, forceful, surging or slippery
- Is the QYT pulse still forceful at the deep level (like a Full pulse?) and the Slippery pulse not?

I am still having trouble differentiating pulses for complex chronic skin cases (the ones that have been itchy for 6+ years!). I have one at the moment that the pulse seems typically Damp (superfical-mid level, quite broad, fast, not super toned, slippery), but then I wonder if it is actually a QYT pulse and I should start with that and go down the Shao yang route? I *think* it improved with Spleen 9, but I’m only just learning this. Is there an active point I can check for Blood Heat?

Thank you so much!
Sophie

by naturevet

March 22, 2026

Hi Sophie,

I'm glad you're trying to "feel your way" through using more pulse diagnosis in your work! Once you get the hang of it, it really does help!

For Blood Heat cases, calling for Qing Ying Tang, the pulse is usually Full, like your typical Shao Yang pulse. It even responds to GB points, so that's what you check to see if you're dealing with Blood Heat. So, how can you tell it's Blood Heat and not some sort of Minor Bupleurum case? The tongue will be very dark (even brick) red. Only if the pathogen penetrates all the way to the Yang Ming layer does the pulse become Surging and more structureless (like a Slippery Pulse). That is a rare situation, fortunately.

For Shao Yang cases, where the Yang is trapped on the outside of the body, it usually feels like a Drumskin pulse: broad, flat, toned, and resistant to compression. When you press on the pulse, if there is an underlying Yin deficiency, you can feel emptiness (like you do in a Floating pulse). But you have to press harder to feel it, but the Drumskin pulse feels more flat and firm than it does for a Floating pulse.

Pure Yin deficiency sometimes leads to an excess of Yang, which can create an almost bounding pulse. If that Empty Fire is not there, it will just feel thin. It would not feel Floating unless there was a secondary Wind invasion.

Other symptoms can help yo differentiate Qi from Yin deficiency. In Yin deficiency:
- the tongue may be red
- the appetite is often good
- the patient appears "hot and deficient"
In Qi deficiency:
- the patient appears cold and deficient
- the tongue may be pale or even lavendar
- the appetite is often poor

Hopefully, this helps!

Steve

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