Discussing the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution theory for health maintenance and disease prevention

In this study, researchers at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine examined the role of Chinese medicine in health maintenance and disease prevention. Their findings were published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to treat disease and promote good health for thousands of years.
• Even today, it is widely used in many countries around the world.
• TCM regards each person as unique hence all therapeutic and preventive approaches involving TCM are personalized.
• Personalized medicine, also known as precision medicine, is an emerging medical paradigm that points to a new direction for future medical development.
• The TCM constitution theory focuses on studying the holistic body condition, which is influenced by inborn as well as environmental factors. It considers body constitution as the foundation of disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
• According to this theory, people are predisposed to develop certain diseases based on their constitution type; hence examining a person’s body constitution can lead to effective disease management and enhance the effects of personalized medicine significantly.
• In the last decade, modern techniques have been developed to evaluate the health status of individuals.
• The TCM constitution theory reflects the current status and future trends of human health in four aspects: individual differences, life processes, psychological condition and adaptability to natural and social environments.
• This theory is currently being applied in Chinese public health management and has so far produced promising outcomes.

The researchers believe that the TCM constitution theory and practice provides a new approach for health maintenance and disease prevention.

Journal Reference:

Li L, Yao H, Wang J, Li Y, Wang Q. THE ROLE OF CHINESE MEDICINE IN HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND DISEASE PREVENTION: APPLICATION OF CONSTITUTION THEORY. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2019;47(03):495–506. DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x19500253