Courses on Mai Jing Pulse Diagnosis & the A-B-C Method

The pulse method we teach at East West College is based on the Chinese Medicine Pulse Classic, The Mai Jing. The history and lineage of the method is described in the introductory video of our webinar series. Our course is devised and taught by Jamie Hamilton, LicAc, LicCCH, BSc MBAcC. His book is a course companion: 'Essential Pulse Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine: Mai Jing A-B-C Method' (2022). We offer in person and hybrid (online) training, as well as the option to learn the Mai Jing A-B-C method remotely with our recorded webinar series.

Background Information

The A-B-C system is a comprehensive method of pulse diagnosis firmly based on classical texts, yet with clear applications to contemporary 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.

This method clarifies underlying theory and shows hard-to-diagnose aspects, such as the elemental imbalance and Extraordinary vessel imbalances. 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. So, with an enhanced method of pulse diagnosis that we are 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.

To study this method of pulse diagnosis requires 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 which is now taught hybrid (in-person and via recorded webinars), and also by reading Jamie's book Essential Pulse Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine, you will have all the tools to develop your skills by using the pulse readings diagnostically in clinic. Our course lengths are quite short, meaning that only a selection of methods can be taught at a practical level. The written content of the book and the recordings are thus an essential component of the course delivery. We will be offering intermediate and advanced level workshops to go deeper into the method from 2026.

The more you practice the method by following the three different steps A, B and C, the clearer results you will have! Read testimonials about the course below and Jamie's blog on the subject here.

Click here for a 2 minute video about this course

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Course Description: A-B-C Method - Core Practice / 2 days

This in-person course goes through the key methods of this unique diagnostic technique outlined in Jamie's book, recommended as a companion to the material presented. Please read Step A before the course. The new webinar series of recordings about the A-B-C Method is included in the price of the workshop, and we recommend that you watch these videos before the course, as it gives you the chance to try out the method in clinic first. These recordings provide an excellent online learning resource that you can refer to over and over. Course participants have found that having watched the recordings before the course, they can then absorb the information much more easily.

The Core Method course is particularly suitable for those who are new practitioners, and for those who have lost (or never gained) confidence in pulse taking. In this Core Method we will cover the following:

A1. Overall Pulse Method of excess and deficiency findings, key determiners of fullness and emptiness in the system.

A2. Three Jiao for the three burners (pre-study for this step is essential as no practical session is allocated)

B1. Three Extras: Du, Ren and Chong Mai

B2. Five Movements: Dai Mai, Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao Mai, Yin Wei and Yang Wei Mai

C1. Five Level for the five zang (yin) organs. Explores the health of the five key yin organs, Lung, Heart, Spleen, Liver and Kidney, including shorter term fluctuations from emotional and elemental factors.

Eligibility: Suitable for Acupuncture Practitioners.

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.

Prior to the course: As well as watching the five webinar recordings, please read the introduction from the book and the section about Step A, which gives an overview of the pulse picture

N.B. The book is not included in the course fee (UK) but is widely available from retailers online, or buy directly from the publisher with a 20% discount by typing in the discount code: EWESTC20.

Dates for our in-person courses:

A-B-C Method Core Practice: Price £270 *    in Farnham, UK / 7 - 8 November 2025 (Friday - Sat)

A-B-C Method Core Practice: Price £280 *    in Farnham, UK / 6 - 7 February 2026 (Friday - Sat)

Intermediate Level: Price £280 *    in Farnham, UK / 6 - 7 March 2026 (Friday - Sat)

Advanced Level:       Price £280 *    in Farnham, UK / 19 - 20 June 2026 (Friday - Sat)

* price includes the new webinar series of the A-B-C Method when you attend the in-person courses in the UK. Normal course price in 2025 = £230 plus bundle of webinar series included at half price (£40). If you have purchased and seen the webinar series already please ask for a discount price to reflect this.

Jamie is teaching the Core Method in Switzerland and Norway in 2025:

‍Winterthur Switzerland on 6 - 7 September 2025 at Chiway, Winterthur

Oslo, Norway on 13 - 14 September 2025 for the Norwegian Acupuncture Association (prices are separate).

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Learn the Theory of the Mai Jing A-B-C Method remotely

Our 5-part theory course was recorded in 2025 specifically to give the theory content for the hands-on seminars. The webinar recordings may be taken as a standalone theory class, ideally in conjunction with the course book.

These webinars each last between 1:30 and 2:15 hours in duration. Total recording time for 5-part series is: 9 hours 22 minutes.

1: Introduction (free) 1 hour 23 mins

2: Step A       

3. Step B1 / B2      

4. Step B3     

5. Step C

Price £80 full set : 5 webinars for the A-B-C Method (we include the Introduction for free)

Or

£25 per individual webinar (Step A, Step B (Part I), Step B (Part II), Step C)

Please note that the course book is not included in the online course cost.

Register for the Online Courses Here and you will be sent the links.

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Intermediate Level of the A-B-C Method - 2 days

Once the basics are in place, we can move on to the intermediate level methods. These methods are extremely useful, but harder to learn and may or may not be relevant in any one case. With all the parts taken together, we have a complete method which is far ranging in the aspects of health it diagnoses.

For this course, we will assume pre-reading of A1 on the overall pulse quality and A3 exploring the distribution of qi as found in the three layers for Wei Qi, the Ying Qi and the Essence.

Jamie will teach the following methods in practical sessions:

B3 : Nine Pathways for the luo-collaterals and jing-jin-channel-sinews.

C2 for the Yin and Yang pulses (the original Mai Jing method for assessing both yin and yang organs)

Step C3 of the twenty four qualities. This last section adds accurate pulse quality information as found at individual pulse positions for either the yin or yang organs.

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Advanced level of the A-B-C Method - 2 days

Material for the advanced level is based on further in-depth study including case studies, it will be made available in 2026.

It is hard to generalise about the best learning approaches for different students of this method, but in general, for most western-trained acupuncturists, the whole method is suitable for extended study. We hope that this method will be of interest to those from different lineages and backgrounds of study.

If you wish to retake the in-person Core Method course, please contact us for a concession. We really want to support your learning and look forward to seeing you again!

This is the introductory video from our webinar series. It describes much more about the background of the method as well as the history of pulse taking in Chinese Medicine:

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

Testimonials: 

‍"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, (TAA Tutor), 2019

Thorough - and could almost be extended to three days. Jill Marks, Edinburgh (NCA Pulse Tutor), May 2022

Over all satisfaction: on a scale of 1-10 = 1000 ! Judith Blair, Edinburgh (NCA Pulse Tutor), May 2022

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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I had a super interesting patient who’s been seen by multiple practitioners, often spanning months of treatments, where she hasn’t seen any success. Real bad back pain, in the middle of the back, which is aggravated by a number of movements, which was caused by falling off a horse. A lot of sharp pains and tight muscles. Lots of other things going on including really bad digestion. Did a couple of treatments on her with no real success until using the Step B pulse method on her and noticed the “in to out” presentation suggesting yang wei mai. She came in this week with no back pain and digestion completely normal for the first time in over a year! Who would have thought! Thanks @⁨Jamie Hamilton⁩ , your method saved me on this one! Josh Barrow, May 2025

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

Buy from the publisher with a 20% discount using this code EWESTC20  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.