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.
Kailee Carlson, RN
Kailee Carlson is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine student at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minn., and a registered nurse at M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, Minn.