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.
Joseph (Changqing) Yang, PhD, LAc
Dr. Joseph (Changqing) Yang received his bachelor's degree in TCM and master's degree from Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China, in 1984. In 1998, he earned his PhD degree in neuropsychiatry from Kobe University, Japan. Dr. Yang is the president and founder of the American Institute of Mental Health in Traditional Chinese Medicine (AIMHTCM). He also is the vice director of the mental health committee and the vice director of the psychosomatic committee of the World Federation of TCM. He has a private clinic in West Los Angeles.