Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis - Jamie Hamilton

Core Method: Price £230     in Farnham / 7 - 8 November 2025 (Friday- Sat)

Jamie will also be teaching this course in: ‍

‍Winterthur Switzerland on 6 - 7 September 2025 at Chiway

Oslo, Norway on 13 - 14 September 2025 for the Norwegian Acupuncture Association

This method of pulse diagnosis is easy to learn, clarifies underlying theory and shows hard-to-diagnose aspects, such as the elemental imbalance and Extraordinary vessel imbalances. The A-B-C system is a comprehensive method of pulse diagnosis firmly based on classical texts, yet with clear applications to contemporary practice. To study this method is a commitment of intention, and while the actual process is designed to be as 'easy' as it can be, inevitably we must proceed with patience to allow this subject to be absorbed fully. The best way of doing that is taking plenty of time to learn the details, and ideally have the theory learning backed up by practical experience.

Once you have learned the method on our course, and also by reading Jamie's book 'Essential Pulse Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine' which explains everything in detail, you will have all the tools to develop your skills by using the pulse readings diagnostically in clinic. The more you practice the method by following the three different steps A, B and C, the clearer results you will have!

Click here for a 2 minute video about this course

The Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis Method gives a reading of the 8 Extraordinary Vessels (Step B) and the elemental imbalance (CF in 5 Element practice in Step C). With a unique notation method and a clarification of the position and character of the pulse, we can re-discover the dynamic qualities of the pulse qualities that we already know.

With an enhanced method of pulse diagnosis that weare confident in, we can in turn better understand the meaning of certain important topics in Chinese Medicine theory; this makes for a significant difference to clinical results and enjoyment of practice. The Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis Method derives from a careful assessment of the techniques found in the classic of the pulse: Mai Jing. It uses methods found in that classic that are easy to use and learn and can make a significant improvement to clinical results and enjoyment of practice.

The Core Methods course goes through the key methods of this unique diagnostic technique outlined in Jamie's book (see below). N.B. The book is not included in the course price.

Eligibility: Suitable for Acupuncture Practitioners.

Read Jamie's blog on the subject here

Note: Intermediate level and Advanced level 2-day courses for this method are in the pipeline and will be made available in 2026.

If at all possible, please read the introduction from the book, and also Step A which gives an overview of the pulse picture - before attending the course.    

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This longer video here (1 hr 23 mins) describes much more about the background of the method as well as the history of pulse taking in Chinese Medicine:

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Learning Outcomes:

- Gaining the skills of the method of clearly palpating the radial artery, with the patient on a couch and the wrist in a vertical position.

- Understanding the Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis Method as described in three broad steps.

- Understanding how the pulse reading responds to treatment and the relevance of that to the patient’s condition.

- Understanding how to integrate these new methods into our existing understanding and skill set.

If you would like your regional group to host a talk on pulse diagnosis, do get in touch!

The course is particularly suitable for those who are new practitioners and for those who have lost (or never gained) confidence in pulse taking.

‍"Enjoyable, articulate and inspiring, I would recommend Jamie's 'Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis' to almost every acupuncturist I know". Jonathan C-W, Edinburgh. May 2019

'Very satisfied; this has opened up the whole subject of diagnosis'. Bruce McCallum

Thorough - and could almost be extended to three days. Jill Marks, Edinburgh 05/22

Over all satisfaction: on a scale of 1-10 = 1000 ! Judith Blair, Edinburgh 05/22

Fascinating, inspiring and well explained. Lovely mix of practical, explanations from handouts and additional texts. Fantastic two days. Janet Stevens, Edinburgh, May 2022

A clear and very helpful course that has both served as a review of known pulse knowledge as well as a very useful expansion into the 5-levels theory which will be incredibly useful in clinic as an aid for 5-element diagnosis. Marie-Ange Mignot, Dec 2022

Brilliant content. Can't wait to start using this method. Brings clarity and focus to pulses. Rachel Bird, Dec 2022

Superb! Such a clear and concise lecture with very visual learning and hands on which is imperative. Sarah Webb, Dec 2022

This course is suitable for everyone that wants to improve their pulse taking skills; with a hands-on practical approach. Kerry Byrne, Dec 2022

Awesome, understandable, assessible, structured and useful. I feel like the workshop was precisely what I need in to develop pulse taking and treatment planning. S.B. Feb.2024

Great presentation, love the way the method has evolved and come together since I last took this class (2019). Love the informal style, highly responsive to questions, and enjoyed the small group. Cintain Q. July 2024

Excellent content with a systematic approach which makes it easier to understand a complex subject. The step by step approach is very logical, a good balance between theory and practical. Well presented, very good diagrams. The practical aspect gave lots of opportunity for discussion and applying the theory we were taught. Very useful to repeat this course. Catriona Jennings, Edinburgh, July 2024.

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"Essential Pulse Diagnosis", published 21st April 2022 by Singing Dragon.

https://uk.singingdragon.com/products/essential-pulse-diagnosis-in-chinese-medicine

“It is great to have the book finally published. I was inspired to share this information as the pulse descriptions in the Mai Jing are extremely clear and clinically very useful. Yet at the same time, they seem to be widely unknown. I tested these methods for a period of about 4 years in a variety of clinical settings. The pulse findings lead to new and useful understandings about the nature and function of the 5 elements and the 8 extraordinary vessels. As a result I needed to make this information better known, teaching a pulse skills course on the subject and then writing the book.”
Jamie Hamilton

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Do you have any questions about the method? Do ask using the contact form on the Booking page. Jamie Hamilton will reply to you and we may then include the question and reply in a "Q and A" section here.