Which pulse is described as slow, rough, and uneven like a knife scraping a bamboo?

The choppy pulse, characterized as being slow, rough, and uneven, is aptly likened to a knife scraping bamboo due to its distinctive quality. This type of pulse suggests an underlying condition of deficiency, often indicating a lack of nourishment in the blood or the Qi. When assessing a choppy pulse, a practitioner may perceive a sensation that feels interrupted or jagged rather than smooth, much like the abruptness of a knife against bamboo.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the quality of the pulse provides crucial insight into the patient’s health status, as it can reflect the condition of the internal organs and the flow of Qi and blood. A choppy pulse often signifies stagnation or a deficiency that results in a less fluid circulation, aligning with the visual metaphor of a scraping action.

The knotted pulse can suggest cold and blockages; the confined pulse often indicates internal heat or fullness, and the intermittent pulse tends to denote more serious illnesses where the rhythm is irregular but not specifically choppy. Thus, recognizing the unique characteristics of the choppy pulse is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment in TCM practice.