We often think that good assessment of our health covers only those aspects which are currently in display. For e.g. runny nose, fever, pain etc. In other words, those aspects which can be seen physically or via diagnostic tests like x-ray, magnetic resonance imagin (MRI) etc. However, Ayurvedic Pulse Assessment is beyond obvious and also looks into unmanifested issues that may be developing.
The disease process
To understand this, let us first understand the disease process (called ‘samprapti’) from an Ayurvedic perspective.
- Imbalances accumulate in primary sites of the body like colon, small intestine and stomach. These sites are the seat of 3 doshas/imbalances called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. This phase of accumulation is called Sanchaya and is the first phase of the disease process.
- Imbalance continue to grow in intensity at their primary sites. The intensity grows unless small changes in lifestyle, food, mental health are made which can help us remediate the imbalnces. This phase is called Prakopa or Provocation.
- Like water overflowing from a tank, the third stage is about the imbalance flowing out of the base location to find weaker organs and parts of the body – this is Prasara or Spreading.
- Once the imbalances have found weak organs/tissues in the body, they lodge themselves there. This phase is Sthana Samshraya i.e. logding oneself in a residence. The imbalance happily finds its home where it can stay and grow.
- After lodging, the imbalance manifests itself due to the reaction between the imbalance and the organs/tissues – known as Vyakti or Manifestation. Undigested food/thoughts/stress all form Ama, which also has a role to play in the manifestation. This points towards the need for balanced digestive fire in the body which has the potential to keep many diseases at bay.
- Finally the disease manifests itself as predominance of one or a combination of dosha imbalance (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) called Bheda or Differentiation.
While it is difficult to catch a disease/imbalance during the first 2 phases where the issue is localized, it is relatively easier to treat it even if caught during the third phase or fourth phase where it has started affecting tissues and organs. Phase 5 and 6 are when the manifestation is completely visible and the imbalance may turn chronic or develop complications
The assessment
Pulse assessment is a part of Ayurvedic examination where the pulse is checked for observing the type of motions it displays. Vata, Pitta and Kapha, each imbalance has a specific pulse movement. This is what the Vaidya (Ayurveda expert) observes. In doing this, the Vaidya is able to observe even slight deviations from normal health and suggest changes in lifestyle, food, diet and suggest herbal supplements.
This means, with pulse assesment, a Vaidya can detect imbalances even in phase 1 and 2 and in later phases. This is a very profound way of knowing if you are healthy or not without any intrusive tests at all. This is not to say that other tests are not needed.
Pulse assessment, combined with other ways of diagnosis like tongue analysis, voice, eyes, physical shape and built of the body, skin quality etc. provide a complete picture about our body to the Vaidya. Based on these the Vaidya suggests appropriate lifestyle & dietary changes supported with Ayurvedic herbal supplements to bring our body back into balance.