On April 1, 2026, China implemented a landmark national standard: Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution. Although designated as a recommended rather than mandatory standard, it represents a major step in modernizing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by converting traditional constitution theory into a clear, measurable and clinically practical framework. By clarifying the relationship between constitution, disease, and pattern differentiation, the standard strengthens professional credibility, supports research, and enhances patient-centered treatment.
Clarification
The May issue of Acupuncture Today featured a review of the book The Channel Divergences: Deeper Pathways of the Web by Miki Shima and Charles Chace. The review pertained to the revised edition of The Channel Divergences, not the original edition published in 2001.
We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.