Comparison of Pulse Diagnosis in Oriental and Western Medicine

Abstract

There are marked differences between oriental medicine and western medicine on the pulse measurement and interpretation of abnormality. The purpose of this study was to examine and analyze methods of pulse palpation between oriental and western medicine. This study is an exploratory research to compare the meaning of pulse palpation, methods of pulse measurement, and interpretation on good health and bad health in oriental medicine and western medicine through pulse palpation. The pulse diagnosis in western medicine, depend on the pulse rate, rhythm, strength, and elasticity, anyone can do it by short-time training quite easily. The pulse diagnosis in oriental medicine is more comprehensive and more detailed method because it consists of the twenty-eight types of pulse and eighteen classes. It also depends on a doctor’s subjective sensations and oral tradition. Therefore, nurses can utilize the advantages of oriental pulse palpation in assessing health status of patient; the quality of patient care will improve in the integrated care.