Training in Shen-Hammer Pulse Diagnosis

Shen-Hammer-Pulse Diagnosis finds its origin in the Pulse Classics of Li Shi Zhen and Wang Shu He, and is also part of a famous lineage in Chinese medicine called the Meng He Current which dates to the early 17th Century.  This lineage was passed to Dr. Shen through Ding Gan Ren, a scholar-physician who founded one of the leading colleges of Chinese medicine in Shanghai in 1916.

Dr. John Shen and later Dr. Leon I. Hammer continued to develop this system of pulse diagnosis in such a way that it meets the needs of patients living in modern societies – very much taking into consideration the psycho-emotional realm.  This evolution of the pulse system is a ongoing process that ensures the development of a diagnostic tool that keeps renewing itself and continues to reveal fascinating new discoveries.

“Is everybody able to learn this?” Yes, you can!

Learning about pulse diagnosis is like learning a new language. Most importantly, one needs to learn the vocabulary and it is useful to know a little bit of grammer here and there. Gradually increasing the vocabulary enhances the ability to speak the language bit by bit. Modern language training focusses on learning a language by conversing as soon as possible. Accordingly, pulse diagnosis ist best learned through feeling and as a result, there are many hours of hands-on work during this seminar as it is the most effective way to learn how to feel the wide range of qualities in the pulse, and to integrate these newly developed skills into clinical practice.  

This extraordinary system allows for the both the complexities and seeming contradictions of each patient to be more fully understood.  It provides clear information about both constitution and current pathology, including the specific effects of past injuries, traumas, illnesses, life events and emotions.  Additinoally, it offers the practitioner the possiblity of either an overview or a deep insight into the state of health, and being, of a patient. Pulse palpation is like an infrared camera of diagnosis, offering the therapist a tool with which to zoom in, or out, as needed. With simple palpation techniques one can discover important details to achieve a differential diagnosis and apply these findings to a well-rounded treatment strategy. Gradually and playfully, the toolchest of the practitioner can be expanded.

Taking the pulse is, above all else, a oportunity to connect with another human being.

In additino to developing your palpatory skills, this training improve your ability to listen to, and to be present with, your patients.