If the pulse is absent in the superficial phase, it can be found in the deep phase. Usually, if a pulse is absent in the superficial phase, it indicates that there is a problem in that particular meridian. Deep pulses are usually very hard to locate and if the deep pulse is also absent, the person is said to be in the most severe stage of the problem. Pulse reading is done by feeling the pulse and following the rhythm, beat, speed, and the characteristic feeling of the pulse. Some feel like the movement of a snake.
Some pulses move fast while others have a slower beat.
These are just some of the many things that acupressurists look for when they read pulses. Suppose a person is suffering from a heart problem. The circulation pulse of this person would be found in the superficial phase and there would be a drop found in the pulse after every ten beats. This is just one example of the diagnostic techniques used in acupressure. Problems like arthritis, asthma, menstrual irregularity, indigestion, and many similar problems can be diagnosed by pulse reading.