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Pulse Diagnosis Beyond Chinese Medicine
The Study of Complementary Opposites
Daoism, a naturalist philosophy, is perhaps the most fundamental influence on Chinese medicine because of its emphasis on:
Harmony with nature – Health is about aligning the body with the natural rhythms of the Dao, in order to become a Natural Person (Zheng Ren).
Yin-Yang theory – The dynamic balance of the complementary opposites in all things, and the science of how to balance them.
The Five Elements – The division of different types of force divided into five, and the science of their interactions and harmonisation.
The concept of Qi – Daoism describes Qi as the fundamental force of the universe, which Chinese medicine translates into bodily functions and physiology.
Non-interference (Wuwei) – Healing is often about guiding the body back to balance rather than forcefully intervening.
“Man follows the laws of the earth,
the earth follows the laws of heaven,
heaven follows the Dao,
and the Dao follows nature.”
— The Yellow Emperor’s Classic, Huangdi Neijing (Su Wen, Chapter 1)
This reflects a Daoist worldview:
Health is about following the natural way (Dao), and maintaining balance and harmony in oneself and with the external environment.
Nowadays, in our modern science we call this homeostasis - “the tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.” (Oxford English Dictionary.)
All living creatures require homeostasis to stay alive. When homeostasis functions at a high level, we thrive.
By applying these philosophies to medicine we now have a holistic way to diagnose and treat in order to save life and optimise health.
Whilst most of Chinese medicine is not required for this course, there are two polarities of particular importance to bear in mind when pulse reading:
Heat vs Cold
and
Dryness vs Damp
Chinese medicine views the body as a microcosm of the natural world, constantly interacting with and influenced by the forces of nature. Just as we observe changes in the environment - heat, cold, dampness, dryness (and wind, which we will omit in this training) - these same forces manifest within the body, affecting health and disease. Understanding these fundamental patterns is essential for recognizing imbalances and restoring harmony.
Heat and Cold –
The Dynamics of Expansion and Contraction
In nature, heat causes expansion, movement and transformation. It melts ice, accelerates chemical reactions and generates energy. In the body, heat represents activity, metabolism, and circulation. A balanced amount of heat keeps the body functioning optimally - digesting food, generating energy, and maintaining a stable internal temperature. However, excess heat can lead to inflammation, restlessness, excessive thirst, and a feeling of burning or dryness.
Cold, by contrast, causes contraction, slowing, and stagnation. In the natural world, cold temperatures slow down movement - water freezes, animals hibernate and processes decelerate. In the body, cold restricts circulation, decreases metabolism and can lead to fatigue, stiffness and pain. A healthy level is necessary for balance, but excess cold can cause sluggish digestion, cold extremities and a feeling of heaviness.
In both nature and the body, heat and cold interact dynamically - neither is inherently bad, but an excess of one or the other disrupts the vital balance. Just as we adjust our clothing and lifestyle with the seasons, our bodies must regulate internal heat and cold for optimal function.
Dryness and Dampness –
The Regulation of Moisture
Water is essential for life. In nature, dryness leads to cracked earth, withered plants, and a lack of vitality. Similarly, in the body, dryness results in symptoms such as dehydration, brittle hair and nails, dry skin and constipation. It can be caused by insufficient fluid intake, excessive heat or prolonged stress.
On the other hand, dampness is excess moisture. In nature, damp environments promote growth but can also lead to stagnation - swamps, mold and heavy air. In the body, dampness can create sluggish digestion, bloating, mucus buildup, swelling, and a feeling of heaviness. It often results from poor diet, excessive humidity, or weak metabolism.
Just as nature maintains a balance between dryness and dampness - alternating rain and sunshine, rivers and deserts - the body also strives to maintain the right level of hydration. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to conditions of excessive dryness (such as cracked skin and dry cough) or excessive dampness (such as water retention and congestion).
Understanding these patterns gives us the framework for recognising so many types of imbalances and for guiding treatment. Whether through acupuncture, herbs, diet, lifestyle changes or anything else, the goal is always to restore equilibrium and raise vitality - to reduce heat, dispel cold, nourish dryness and resolve damp.
By mastering these fundamental concepts, practitioners across different traditions - Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, functional medicine, naturopathy, or any holistically minded healthcare provider - gain a modern universal language of health, one that allows them to perceive and correct imbalances with clarity and precision.
Now let’s look at how heat, cold, dryness and damp affect the pulses to give us the bulk of our insights in Medical Pulsology.