Foundations of Pulse Diagnosis
4-day hands-on practical workshop with Dr Karen Bilton, PhD.
After this workshop:
- Palpate and interpret your patients' pulses with greater confidence
- Manage complex conditions with certainty
- Synch treatment plans to your patients’ psycho-emotional behaviours
- Fine tune your acupuncture and formulas guided by the pulse
‼️ Focus on Classical Formulas ‼️
Learn a lineage method in a supportive, friendly environment...
What you will learn
A systematic, structured method passed down for 100s of years through the Menghe Ding lineage, that provides a framework for you to grow your skills and avoid feeling overwhelmed and confused by all the pulse sensations.
Find important diagnostic information by palpating the pulse Large Segment (with both hands) and Small Segment (using individual fingers to roll to all pulse positions).
Calibrate the Qi, Blood and Organ Depths, and carefully discern different pulse qualities and Waveforms closely guided by instructors.
Directly access information that bypasses your patients' established narratives or information they themselves may be unaware of.
Confidently integrate pulse signs with other diagnostic information and apply it to your preferred style of practice (Zang Fu, Classical, 5-Element) for better results.
Apply acupuncture and Classical herbal formulas guided by pulse.
Class Details
📍 Location:
502/25-29 Dixon St,
Haymarket NSW 2000
📅 Date:
Friday to Monday July 4-7, 2025
⏰ Time:
8:30am to 5:30 pm
💲 Investment:
Early Bird: $1826 incl. GST
Full Rate: $ 2090 incl. GST
Current TCM Students: $1450 incl. GST
Returning SHPD Students: $1250 incl. GST
🗓️ Prerequisites:
None
☑️ Approved AACMA, NCCAOM (USA) - 30 CPDs
Shen-Hammer Foundations Course Structure
Hands-on Practical Classes
Pulse diagnosis is a practical skill and at least 50% of time in class is devoted to sitting with the pulse to feel depths, positions and qualities guided by feedback from the instructors
Coherent Lecture Content
The theory component is presented in an informative structured style and a digital version of the PowerPoint slide show will be supplied. The pulse examination form is provided as a .pdf for future use. You are also encouraged to take your own notes to improve your learning.
Practical Demonstrations
Finger placement on the wrists and specific techniques for rolling the fingers to access pulse positions is demonstrated by the instructors on a student model as well as all of the participants. Teaching aides are used to enhance palpation skills.
Introduction to SHPD
History of SHPD
Inherited Roots of SHPD – Menghe Ding Lineage, Dr Shen, Dr Hammer
3 Main Pulse Depths
Qi, Blood, Organ Depths
6 Wave Forms
Normal, Hesitant, HFO, Flooding Excess, Flooding Deficient, Suppressed
Classification and Identification of Pulse Qualities Based on Sensation
Robust Volume - HFO, Flooding Excess, Robust Pounding, Inflated
Reduced Volume - QD Yielding, Diminished, FA, A; Spreading; BD Diminished; Flooding Deficient; Reduced Pounding; Reduced Substance; Deep; Deep Feeble/FA; Absent; Muffled; Flat
Depth - Floating, Cotton, Empty
Width - Thin, Blood Unclear, Blood Heat, Blood Thick
Length - Long, Short
Shape
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Fluid - Slippery
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Non-Fluid Even - Taut; Tense; Tight; Wiry; Ropy; Leather Hard
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Non-Fluid Uneven - Choppy; Rough Vibration, Smooth Vibration
Qualifying Qualities - Rough, Smooth, Separating
Anomalies - San Yin, Fan Quan, Amorphous, Ganglion
Miscellaneous - Biting, Restricted, Doughy, Electric
Palpation throughout day
Calibration of Depths, Waveforms, Pulse Qualities
Support your learning..
Becoming skilled in pulse diagnosis requires repeated practice and ongoing support as your skills improve. To cater for this there are several levels of Shen-Hammer pulse diagnosis classes that are designed for all stages of learning to support practitioners on their journey.
Learning Pathways
Re-take the Foundations Class
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Large discounts for returning students
Hands-on Review Days
Casual Zoom catch-ups
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Small classes – 2 days – scheduled every 8 weeks
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Held in Potts Point, Sydney
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Day One – Review of the pulse method
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Lecture and palpation
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Day Two – seeing 3 live patients
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Morning session - feel their pulses
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Afternoon session - work through cases
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Management strategies according to acupuncture, formulas, referrals
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2 days of seeing live patients
Learn with Dr Karen Bilton, Ph.D.
Pulse Diagnosis Expertise and Clinical Wisdom
Research and Academic Excellence
Collaboration with Dr. Leon Hammer, M.D.
Expanding Horizons - Psychology of Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies:
Karen started her career in healthcare as a physiotherapist and has been practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine for 30 years. She is licensed to practice in Australia and the USA having worked there for 15 years.
Her career has been greatly influenced by long-term mentor Dr Leon Hammer, MD, renowned Chinese medicine practitioner, physician and child psychiatrist. During their 27 years together, she inherited the Menghe-Ding pulse method and the application of ontological psychology to the Chinese medical model defined by Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies (Hammer, 2005). Karen also has studied Classical Chinese herbal medicine with Professor Heiner Fruehauf and Jing Fang prescription with Professor Huang Huang.
Karen completed doctoral studies evaluating the reliability of pulse diagnosis and is co-author of a Handbook of Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis. She has lectured at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine NY, the University of Technology, Sydney, and the University of Western Sydney. She has taught pulse diagnosis classes and presented at conferences in China, USA, Australia, and New Zealand and has published in peer review journals.
Currently she is in clinical practice in Sydney, Australia, and continues her exploration of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine in relation to Daoist cosmology. She endeavors to share her knowledge teaching classes in pulse diagnosis and the psychology of Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies.
Shen-Hammer pulse diagnosis is the modern interpretation of the method used by the historic Menghe-Ding physicians. Based in Classical Chinese medical knowledge it has been passed down through the lineage for centuries and is documented in texts as far back as the 15th Century. Ding Jiwan (grandson of Ding Ganren of Wen Bing fame) taught this method to Dr. Shen in Shanghai and Hong Kong during the turbulent years of 1937-1942. Dr. Shen, the sole survivor of World War 2 with the pulse knowledge, fled the Communist Revolution in China for the USA.
Soon after his relocation in the 1970's, Dr. Hammer, M.D., (renowned psychiatrist and Chinese medicine practitioner) met Dr. Shen in a colleague's clinic on Long Island, New York. Impressed by his exceptional diagnostic skills this meeting led to an intensive eight-year apprenticeship for Dr. Hammer under Dr. Shen and a further collaboration spanning nearly thirty years. During this time they documented the Menghe-Ding pulse method that was published in Chinese Pulse Diagnosis; A Contemporary Approach. (Hammer 2005)
This pulse method has evolved from Classical Chinese medicine theory. As such it recognises and provides a framework to describe the infinite range of energy transformations within a human body that reflects the attempt of physiology to maintain homeostasis in response to both external and internal stressors. The pulse carries information that represents these physiological exchanges that are specific to that individual organism.
Palpating the radial artery allows us to interpret these energy transformations and exchanges. It provides extensive diagnostic information, describing a person in terms of the life inherited, their current state of being, and can indicate possible health trajectories for the future.
The pulse integrated with other diagnostic methods guides the practitioner to skilfully implement management strategies such as acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and lifestyle modifications to positively impact the physical and psycho-emotional potential of clients.
What is Shen-Hammer Pulse diagnosis ?
Class Registration
CPDs:
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ACCMA CPD 30 hours, NCCAOM 28 hours
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Attendance at all days required for CPDs awarded
Payment:
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Payments can be made through Stripe by links provided
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Direct deposit accepted - Email for direct deposit details
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Payment plans arranged by email
"The course gave a great introduction to the pulse technique that I can apply directly and immediately towards my current patients. I also gained knowledge of pulse depths associated with emotional and psychological states."
Lily K
"Course is extremely informative, well structured and engaging.
Karen is a fantastic teacher who explains the content very clearly, uses her clinical knowledge to help explain concepts and draws great diagrams."
Lucy H
"Karen has a personal and personable approach to teaching. Checking the pulses of participants and explaining what we're feeling was extremely helpful. The course was well organised and used repetition and positivity for effective learning."
Narelle S
"This course gave me a clear visual of the pulse qualities. The structure is very simple and makes the content easy to comprehend.
The time spent practicing pulses with Karen is most valuable."
Chen Q
My Journey with Shen-Hammer Pulse diagnosis
and Dr Leon Hammer, MD
My association with Dr. Hammer has been a pivotal influence on my journey in Chinese medicine. When I first sought understanding and find meaning in the art of pulse diagnosis, I had the good fortune of meeting him Meeting in New York in 1996. This marked the beginning of a long mentorship, for which I am incredibly grateful.
Motivated by passion for Chinese medicine and academic inquiry, I earned a Ph.D. through our collaborative research on the reliability of Shen-Hammer Pulse Diagnosis, where we explored the complexities of intra- and inter-rater agreement among practitioners. This work not only showed pulse diagnosis to be reliable but also highlighted areas for in the method. Additionally, I had the privilege of co-editing the Handbook of Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis, aimed at providing a clinical reference for practitioners in the field.
Dr. Hammer was invited to teach in China in 2016, but due to advancing age was unable to fulfil the commitment. Instead, he asked me to be his representative, entrusting to my hands the responsibility of transmitting the knowledge. Alongside Dr. Chang Wenhuai as translator and teaching assistant, we embarked on a four-year journey to teach Shen-Hammer Pulse Diagnosis in cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, successfully reconnecting this ancient knowledge to its cultural roots.
The impact of my collaboration with Dr. Hammer extends beyond pulse diagnosis. His approach to integrating the five phases of Chinese medicine with modern psychology, as outlined in his book "Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies," has enriched my understanding of the human experience. Further, the connection of Shen-Hammer Pulse Diagnosis to this body of work provides an exquisite awareness of a person's psycho-emotional functioning. Beyond Chinese medicine our partnership developed into a 27-year friendship, filled with deep discussions about life, cultural philosophies, and a shared love for the great outdoors in the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York.
