A soft voice hints at depletion, a loud voice, an excess condition 3 - Smelling and tasting Odors and tastes are clues. The doctor may ask the about your body odors and tastes. Strong tastes and odors or can be signs of heat, toxicity or digestive stagnation. The doctor will feel your pulse on both wrists. Besides noting its rate, rhythm, and overall strength, a doctor observes the type of the pulse.
Texts classify the pulse into at least twenty-eight types.
By touching the patient in this way, the doctor senses something of the internal condition of the patient. The patient may not tell the whole truth, but the pulse never lies. The doctor may also touch the body. Sensitivity at certain points can reveal what is in need of attention. Each state sets its own standards for acupuncturists.