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.
Peter Deadman
Peter Deadman has worked with Chinese medicine and health promotion for more than 45 years. He is the founder of the Journal of Chinese Medicine, co-author of A Manual of Acupuncture and author of Live Well Live Long: Teachings From the Chinese Nourishment of Life Tradition. He is also an international qigong lecturer and teacher. He can be contacted at: peter@jcm.co.uk.