Master of Pulse Diagnosis
Public Speaking, Presentations
Karen is an accomplished public speaker. Since completing her Ph.D., she has presented at acupuncture and Chinese medicine conferences at various locations around the world. She is also an invited speaker and presents on issues to do with health and wellbeing within corporate and business organisations as well as at the community level.
YPO Gold Leadership Community
Business Leaders Retreat
Day presentation on health, wellbeing and the manifestation of physiology onto the radial pulse. A deep dive into concepts exploring the reductionist view of modern medicine compared to the model of energy transformation that under pins Classical Chinese medicine.
This ancient knowledge surviving millennia, provides a novel and common sense approach to health.
Fostering Practical Skills in the Face of AI
Skills such as pulse diagnosis are a treasure of human ingenuity and have survived millennia in the lineage methods of Chinese medicine. Does AI threaten the continued transmission of this ancient knowledge? Watch the engaging discussion.
Conference Presentations
Improve mental health treatment by directly accessing the wisdom of physiology through the pulse
International Integrative Mental Health Conference
Online May 2025
Pulse diagnosis offers a window into both the physiological and psycho-emotional states of individuals, bypassing conscious awareness. It reveals patterns shaped by ancestry, birth, life stressors, and trauma. This presentation explored the Shen-Hammer pulse system, highlighting its relevance to mental health assessment. A case study illustrated how pulse interpretation informed holistic and lasting treatment strategies.
Investigating the Reliability of Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis as a Diagnostic Tool
World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies – Pulse diagnosis Meeting Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China, 2016
World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies Conference Sydney, 2013
International Symposium Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, Invited speaker
Sydney, 2012
This study evaluated the intra- and inter-rater reliability of Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis™ (CCPD) in a clinical setting. Six trained practitioners assessed the pulses of 15 subjects across two sessions, 28 days apart. Results showed that 67% of intra-rater assessments and 44.1% of inter-rater assessments demonstrated good to excellent agreement. However, 14.3% of intra-rater and 30.5% of inter-rater assessments showed unacceptable agreement (kappa ≤ 0.40), particularly in certain pulse positions and qualities. These findings suggest that CCPD can be a reliable diagnostic tool when operationally defined, though revisions to specific definitions and terminology are needed to improve consistency.
Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis Presentations
New Zealand Institute of Acupuncture Conference, Invited Speaker
Auckland, 2011
Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Conference;
Oral presentation and workshop
Sydney, 2008
These presentations explored Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis, a refined method of pulse reading rooted in classical Chinese medicine and further developed by Dr. John H.F. Shen and Dr. Leon Hammer. This system emphasizes nuanced pulse qualities and positions to assess subtle physiological and psychological imbalances. The presentations covered the diagnostic framework, including terminology, layered pulse positions, and interpretive strategies. Practical applications and case studies illustrated how this method enhanced diagnostic precision and informed individualized treatment planning in modern clinical practice.
Building Bridges of Integration for Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation
Meadowlands, NJ, USA, 2004
Joint presentation with Leon Hammer, M.D. This talk promoted mutual respect between medical systems to improve patient outcomes through complementary approaches. The integration highlighted supported a broader, more inclusive understanding of health, healing, and holistic care.