What type of pulse is characterized by a taut feeling like a guitar string?

The wiry pulse is characterized by a tautness akin to the feeling of a guitar string. This pulse type is typically felt as thin and stiff, often indicative of conditions related to liver disharmony, tension, or overactivity. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the wiry pulse reflects a certain emotional state or stress that may be affecting the body's organ systems, particularly the liver.

Practitioners often interpret this pulse as a sign that there is some stagnation or constraint in the body, pointing to a need for treatment strategies aimed at relieving tension and promoting smoother energy flow. It differs from other pulses; for example, a tight pulse suggests more of a physiological tension in the muscles, a slippery pulse connotes a smooth and rich quality possibly indicating phlegm or excess fluids, and a minute pulse represents a very faint and weak pulse, often associated with deficiency. Each pulse type provides unique insights into a patient’s overall health and underlying conditions.