A patient sits down in front of Dr Tian complaining of ‘pain of all bones of the body’. Dr Tian takes the pulse. First the left and then right hand. After this process the formula Ma Huang Fu Zi Gan Cao Tang plus Cang Zhu is shouted to a student, who leads the patient off to fill the prescription and also take the pulse themselves. Then the next patient arrives who also complains of pain, or in their words ‘full body bone aches’. Dr Tian again takes the pulse, first he takes the left then the right. However, the prescription Da Chai Hu Tang plus Yin Chen Hao is shouted to the next student. The student again takes the patient to fill the prescription and feels the pulse themselves. A number of patients come and go in this fashion until another sits down complaining again of ‘pain of bones and joints’, the pulse is taken, again first left and then right sides, Dr Tian askes one clear question to which the patient answers in the affirmative with a nod and a grunt, and Dr Tian directs the student to fill a Gui Zhi Tang, minus Bai Shao, plus Long Gu, Mu Li, Fu Zi. This process continues, main complaint, pulse, first left and then right, a confirming question if needed, and then a barked prescription, for 200-300 patients a day, every day for the entirety of Dr Tian He Ming’s seventy years of clinical practice. Sounds like a great day in practice. If you were inspired by that then continue reading.

It sounds fantastic to us practicing today doesn’t it? So how exactly was Dr Tian able to practice this way? How was he able to prescribe so accurately with just the main complaint, pulse and possibly one or two questions? It wasn’t down to intuition. It wasn’t due to decades of experience with over a million patients, this just served to hone his skills. It was the unique pulse system taught to him by his family elder Tian Qi Tai that allowed him to do this. My article will introduce the reader to the Tian lineage system of pulse diagnosis. I have been practicing for over a decade in this style. I will also illustrate how systematic this method of pulse diagnosis is and as such how it can be taught in a clear and simple manner.

Primary question - why pulse diagnosis?

But first lets answer the question, why pulse diagnosis? In an ideal setting the primary method to diagnosis should be as objective as possible. The truth is that no method of diagnosis used in Chinese medicine is completely objective and all have a certain level of subjectivity. The level of subjectivity depends upon two things, the number of ‘filters’ through which the information has to pass before reaching the practitioner, and how well the practitioner is systematically trained to interpret the information that he is confronted with.Questioning, for example, is extremely subjective. It relies on the patient transmitting information that has passed through their filter and the practitioner interpreting their answers. In stark contrast, pulse findings are the most objective. They bypass the patient's perception and any misunderstanding between practitioner and patient. Pulse findings rely solely on that practitioners ability to collect the information.

The meaning of pulse diagnosis

Pulse taking has always been held sovereign in Chinese medicine as it represents the function of the emperor and the influence of this function throughout the body. It accurately reflects the underlying long term condition of the body, while also changing quickly in response to any more acute influence in the context of this underlying environment. An argument can be made that the tongue achieves the same. It being the sprout of the heart. The tongue is not as clearly acutely reactive or detailed and it shows more material rather than functional changes. This is reflected in the tremendous weight given to the pulse over the tongue in the classics.

The actual pulse finding itself is completely objective. The subjectivity comes on the part of the practitioners interpretation of the findings. This is where the importance of a clear, clinically applicable, and teachable system such as the Tian lineage pulse system becomes so important. Chinese Medicine teaches the 4 pillars of diagnosis, but in practice one must choose a single method which consistently forms the base of what will lead to a treatment plan, i.e. acupuncture and herb prescription. Trying to fill all methods in and changing in between systems could potentially lead to inconsistent prescribing and feedback.

So what makes a good pulse system? First, it must serve as a perfect reflection of the physiological model used by the system as a whole. Second, it must be based on solid repeatable principles, and it must be adhere to these principles. Third, it must get you to a treatment not just a diagnosis. Fourth, it must be teachable in clear steps, and usable by the student early in the learning process. Pulse may take a lifetime to ‘master’ but it certainly shouldn’t take that long to become useable. And lastly, it needs to have stood the test of time. It needs to go through a number of generations of clinicians to confirm that it is both clinically applicable and teachable, and not just an idea.

Why this?In practice, adherence actually facilitates pulse taking since one can concentrate on basic qualities, so within a relatively short period for example a wiry pulse in certain positions can be understood in its overall context and its presence linked to a diagnostic method, like harmonizing for example. In my next article we will talk more about the tian pulse taking system and the importance of finding a teacher. I will also share how you can start accessing this pulse system today!!!!

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Collin Campbell, LAC, DCCM, ficeam is a master acupuncturist, highly decorated herbalist who specializes in dermatology, tinnitus and men's health.

He graduated from the pacific college Of oriental Medicine chicago in 2007with a masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and later pursued post-graduate studies in herbal medicine exclusively . earning him 2 extra qualifications in herbal medicine. HE is a Diplomate of The Institute of Classics In East Asian Medicine (ICEAM) in addition he is among a select few that have reached fellowship status. he has lectured for iceam in chicago. He is the only student to have amassed over 1000 visits with his teacher and mentor Arnaud Versluys.

Collin always knew he wanted to practice medicine, but was never interested in the conventional side. his parents routinely told him that once he got it figured out he would probably go to medical school. his grandfather always wanted to be a doctor and his nickname was doc. collin decided to go about things differently.everyday in clinic he feels he is living out his grandfather's dream.

While in high school, collin had severe nodular -cystic acne. he took strong medications and his parents offered to take him out of school for the entire year. It was here where collin became fascinated with alternative ways to heal.

Eventually, inspired by his yoga teacher, collin transferred to Pacific College of Oriential Medicine chicago. Here he had the opportunity while going to school to be mentored by two of chicago's premier practitioners: marie france colin and frank scott. collin found his true passion while at pcom. he dove into herbal medicine strongly and began his mentorship with arnaud versluys.

Collin watched a loved one go through a horrific battle with breast cancer. ultimately passing away in april of 2016. Thinking about how this person he loved so deeply had to suffer so greatly - with very little relief and huge side effects from conventional treatments - collin has refocused his efforts to be of service in a holistic way to others so they would not have to suffer like that. This experience - with a loved one who lost their battle to cancer, shaped collins insights into his patients in a profound way. Collin heads the nyiceam branch and is spearheading it’s first hybrid offering of the canonical training.