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"The Oakland seminars were absolutely mind-blowing. ... Frankly, I think Jimmy is not only the best herbalist I have ever seen or heard of, he may be the best ever. He is certainly someone who can stand with Zhang Zhong-Jing, Li Dong-Yuan and the rest of the best.” J.G.

“Surpassed its objectives, instructor (Jimmy Chang) is a rare individual with a wealth of knowledge.” Z.M.

THE SIX PATHOLOGICAL PULSES: LIU BING MAI
TYPE II: THE CONSTRICTING PULSE

By Jimmy Wei-Yen Chang, L.Ac., Mark Brinkman, L.Ac.

TYPE II: THE CONSTRICTING PULSE

Jump and Shape Summary: Thin, Floating or Deep, Hard or Soft, Strong or Weak
Floating: Can be any shape
Middle Level: Fine and Tight
Deep Level: Rooted
Nature: Contracting
Image: Frozen Stream

Tactile Appearance: Upon palpation, this pulse is felt as a fine firm string of smaller diameter than the vessel itself, and in some cases as a fine string that is contained within the interior of another larger vessel (pulse within a pulse). The Constricting Pulse may occur in one individual position on either the left or right side. In order to obtain this pulse one should place one’s fingers upon the vessel and lightly apply pressure, then roll the fingers to and from across its width, searching with the fingertips, progressively using light and heavy pressure throughout the three levels of the vessel. This pulse may also give the impression of two vessels existing side by side, one being fine and contracted in contrast to another larger one. Generally speaking, two varieties of Constricting Pulse most often appear: 1) a hard Constricting Pulse or 2) a softer Constricting Pulse, designative of less severity.

Diagnosis: This pulse is indicative of a cold excess pattern and signifies the decline of an organ's function. The nervous system and internal secretion functions are suppressed. The pulse is analogous to the eventual decline of life as winter approaches. The appearance of this pulse feature may indicate a serious state of disharmony. This pulse most often manifests at the left cun position, thereby indicating a constricted state of the Heart’s blood vessels.

Treatment: The Constricting Pulse indicates that cold has entered deeply, and the entire body or a particular region is extremely contracted. Often, the treatment principle is to warm and dissipate cold by using pungent warm herbs to open the exterior, thereby releasing the cold pathogen. If this pulse appears on the left cun then it is suggestive of a cold pathogen assaulting the Heart; if the condition is long standing, it can then manifest as pain in the chest, or in more serious cases stabbing heart pain, indicating a heart obstruction disease (ischemic disorder). In such cases, when the Constricting Pulse is manifesting the doctor should be ready to take decisive and immediate measures in the treatment of patients with such acute symptoms.

The best formulas for a Constricting Pulse - pulse within a pulse - found on the left cun is the combination of Si Ni Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) with Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang (Trichosanthes Fruit, Chinese Chive, and Pinellia Decoction) or Circulation, a formula available through Evergreen Herbs.

If this pulse appears on the right cun, indicating severe cold in the Lungs, use Dun Sou San (Long-Bout Cough Powder), Zi Wan (Radix et Rhizoma Asteris), Bai Bu (Radix Stemonae) and Respitrol Cold, a formula available through Evergreen Herbs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jimmy Wei-Yen Chang, L.Ac.

Master Jimmy Wei-Yen Chang has over 25 years of concentrated clinical experience applying his expertise in differential diagnosis and herbal prescription. The author of a pulse diagnosis manual, Pulsynergy, Master Chang currently pursues his specialties in private practice in Hacienda Heights, California, and is widely recognized for his skills in correlating expert pulse taking and herbal prescription.

To learn more about pulses and herbs, Jimmy Chang is speaking on the following topics for Lotus Institute. All classes are approved for 8 CEUs/PDAs by the California Acupuncture Board and NCCAOM.

CLASSES BY THE AUTHOR

Women’s Health & Infertility

6/1/08 Denver, CO

Fang Jia Fang – The Art and Science of Herbal Combinations (Part II)

7/27/08 Oakland, CA

Revolutionary Pulse Diagnosis (Part I) (30 attendees max.)

10/5/08 Rowland Heights, CA

Revolutionary Pulse Diagnosis (Part II) (30 attendees max.)

11/23/08 Rowland Heights, CA