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.
Christine Chang, DAOM, LAc, Dipl. OM
Dr. Christine Chang has been a TCM practitioner and educator for over 20 years. She has served on the Board of Directors & Herbal Committee of the American Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (AAAOM). A world-traveling scholar, she has represented the U.S. as a delegate at plenary meetings of the ISO/TC249, hosted in Beijing, The Netherlands, Italy, and China.