Regulation and Meaning of Shen Chen Pulse

In the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), many individuals hold a unique appreciation for its practices. A pivotal aspect of TCM diagnosis is pulse taking, which enables physicians to discern the nature of an illness through the distinct pulse patterns exhibited by patients. Among these patterns, "Shen Chen," or "deep pulse," signifies a particular illness-related manifestation requiring targeted treatment.

Regulation of Shen Chen Pulse

A healthy pulse is balanced, neither floating nor sinking, gentle yet forceful, with a regular rhythm. Shen Chen, when present, typically indicates an internal illness. Its regulation hinges on the pulse's strength or weakness. A deep and forceful pulse often signifies a solid condition associated with dampness, food stagnation, or internal cold. Here, treatments emphasize medications that promote digestion, eliminate stagnation, and warm the interior to dispel cold.

Conversely, a deep but weak pulse is often linked to deficiencies in qi and blood or weakness of yang qi. Treatment recommendations involve oral medications that tonify qi and blood or warm and replenish yang qi.

Meaning of Shen Chen Pulse

Shen Chen refers to a pulse that is not readily discernible upon light palpation but becomes evident with firm pressure. It feels insufficient when lifted and excessive when pressed, situated deeper than normal beneath the skin, near the bones. Light finger pressure fails to detect it, while moderate pressure reveals no prominent pulse. Only heavy pressure directly applied to the bones yields a distinct pulse, making Shen Chen a "deep pulse" requiring deep palpation.

Two primary factors underlie Shen Chen's formation: internal stagnation of pathogenic factors with robust vital qi, leading to qi stagnation, blood obstruction, and yang qi blockage, preventing the pulse qi from manifesting externally, resulting in a deep and forceful pulse. Alternatively, weakness of visceral organs, depletion of qi and blood, or yang qi deficiency impedes qi and blood mobilization, yielding a deep but weak pulse.

Distinct Manifestations of Various Pulse Patterns

1. Floating Pulse: Easily detected with light pressure but diminishes under heavy pressure, indicating a superficial location. It correlates with external syndromes, where exogenous pathogens linger on the surface, causing defensive qi resistance and external manifestation of pulse qi. A forceful floating pulse suggests a solid external syndrome, while a weak one indicates deficiency.

2. Deep Pulse: Not discernible with light pressure but apparent under heavy pressure, reflecting an internal syndrome. A forceful deep pulse signifies a solid internal syndrome, while a weak one indicates deficiency.

3. Slow Pulse: Characterized by a pulse rate below 60 beats per minute, associated with cold syndromes. A forceful slow pulse implies a solid cold syndrome, while a weak one signifies deficiency.

4. Rapid Pulse: Faster than normal (above 90 beats per minute), associated with heat syndromes. A forceful rapid pulse indicates a solid heat syndrome, while a weak one suggests deficiency.

5. Weak Pulse: Feels empty and soft in all three positions (cun, guan, and chi). It correlates with deficiency syndromes, often indicating qi and blood depletion, hindering pulse mobilization.

6. Forceful Pulse: Characterized by strength in all three positions, associated with solid syndromes, indicating an abundance of pathogenic factors and sufficient vital qi, resulting in a full and forceful pulse.

7. Smooth Pulse: Feels smooth and slippery, akin to rolling beads. It correlates with syndromes like dampness, food stagnation, and solid heat, commonly observed in young adults with robust qi and blood and pregnant women, reflecting their vigorous qi and blood nourishing the fetus.