Quality on the Pulses

Definition

A pulse quality is a distinctly different sensationthat standsout on one, some, or all of the
pulses. Such qualities either feel outside of the normal range of pulse sensationfor that
patient, or show up on only one, or a few pulses,as markedly different from the others. A
"qualiqy'' in this senseis undesirable. The range of sensationis varied. Pulse qualities can
feel wealg wiry, bounding, irregular, slippery,tight, and so forth.

Diagnosis

A sensationthat standsout on the pulse(s).

Treatment

Treat the CF. This will often clear qualities.

If the quality does not clear with a CF treatment, treat the meridian that carries the quality'
You may also treat the meridian most likely to be responsiblefor the quality,
provided that the quallty pervadesseveralor all of the pulses.
IJse source points.
You may also use points that historically clear a particular quality. For example,LR 3 may
be used to addressa wiry pulse; SP 6 and SP 9 may be used for a slippery pulse.

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63
 CV/GV Block
Definition
meridians'
The Conceptionvessel(CV) andGovernorVessel(GV) aretwo of the eightextraordinary
They are like the seasthat feedthe rivers of the meridians'
If t[b seashaveenoughwater,the riversshouldalsohaveenoughwater'
If the seasare blockei, watercannotflow into the riversandthe riversmaybecomevery low.
If CV andGV areblocked,energyflows into thesetwo meridiansbut doesnot flow out.
GV'
A CV/GV block is treatedon the Wei Qi level,i.e.,by usingthe Entry andExit points on CV and

Diagnosis

All the pulsesarevery low, -2 or -3.

Supporting SignsSpecificto a CV/GV Block

The patientmay appearto havea lot of energybut haslow pulses.

Work on the CF mayproducemomentarychangesthat do not hold.

Treatment

l. Drapeyour patientappropriately.
2. Use-fing"r or gloveswhenworking in the genitalarea.Washhandsafter needlingeachpoint.
3. "btt
Take the pulsesafter eachpoint to determinewherethe block is.
a. Tonify the following pointsin order:
CV I _U,
cv 24 J,
GVlJ.
GV 28 J.
5. NeedleCV 1, l0 fen.Alwaysusea lt/zinchneedlefor CV l. Considerusingan insertiontube.
Do it quickly.

6. NeedleCV 24.I to 3 fen.

7. NeedleGV l, only 3 ferqwith the patienton his/trerside;GV I is a tenderspo[.

8. NeedleGV 28, only I fen.Use aVzrnchneedleon GV 28. Pull the patient'slip up with your little
fingers;somepractitionersaskthe patientto hold the lip.

Considerations

This is treatingthe Entry/Exit pointsof CV andGV. Considerhow you will explainthe treatmentto
the patient. The morematter-of-factyou are,the more acceptingthe patientis.

64
 Entry/Exit Block
Definition

An Entry/Exit (ElE) block is identified on the pulse. It may exist when a meridian of lower
numberis strongerthan the next meridianin order, accordingto the sequenceof the
Chineseclock. For example,a IVIII block is when the pulse of the Small Intestine (tr)
meridian is stronger than the pulse of the Bladder meridian (III) .
An E/E block occurs between meridiansof different elements(see page 3l). It does not usually
occur between paired meridians. A pulse'differencebetween paired meridiansis called a
split.
If you suspect anEtE block, make a note to watch for it next time the patient is treated.

Diagnosis

EIE blocksare not usuallydiscernibleat the beginningof treatment.Theymay showup on the

pulseover time asonereviewsa patient'spulserecordsOR they may showup suddenlyas
a pulsepicturethat seems"unusual"for that patient.
Thepatientmay exhibitsymptomsaroundthe blockedmeridians.

Treatment

(evennumbered)meridian.This meridianwill be the

Tonify the exit point of the lower-numbered3r
relativelystrongerpulse. Thentonify the entrypoint of the next meridian.This meridian
will showa relativelyweakerpulse.

Thispulsepicturesuggestsa SIIBL (Iru) block.

Treatment: SI 19 l'
BLI J

Sometimesa pulse picture is incorrectly interpreted as an E/E

block: This is NOT a IVIII block:

3l
An exception to this rule is the trearment of a SP/HT QOVI) block in which the higher numbered meridian is tonified first

65
 SPirit Block

Definition
is no pulseor particular
Spirit blocksshowup in a patient'semotionsor emotionallife. There
..look, to the patientthatwill demonstrate a spiritblock..However,you candetectsucha block
you sensethat his spiritis
by listeningcloselyto what the patienthasto sayabouthis/herlife. Do
him? Does the
thriving? iVf,ut is feedinghis spirit? Does he havea senseof alivenessabout
patienrindicatethereis somethingmissingin life?
is not
Many patientsaretreatedon the spirit level. It is only considereda block if treatment
progressing.

Diagnosis

A sensethat the patient'sspirit is suffering.

Treatmentis not moving/holding.

Treatment

Consider:
UpperKidney points
OuterBladderline Points
Spiritpoints on the CF
ConceptionVesselpoints
GovernorVesselpoints

66
 Tonification and Sedation

Definition

Tonification and sedationare needle techniquesthat move energy. An acupuncturepoint may be

tonified or dispersed(sedated). Each method improves the pulses. Tonifying builds the pulses
and may make them ciear.r. birp"rsing makesthe energy more availableand may also make the
pulsesclearer.

lethargrc hSiper
listless higlrblood presslre
lack energl can't rela:r
etc. etc.
pulse -2 pulse*2

Treatment with
uppers/amphetamines
vuillmove the enerry
toward the middle gror:nd
but will detract
from the lrfe force
Treatnentwith downers
urill movethe enerry
towardthe middlegrouod
but will detract
r'ITA.L FC'RCE \']TAL FE FICE from the lrfeforce

Tonification Sedation
treatmentindicated treatrnentindicated
to rnove the enerry to rnove the enerry
toward middle ground toward middle ground
AND AND
thelrfeforce
enhance VITAL FE rlc:E thelifeforce
enhance

69