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.
Tom Ingegno, DACM, LAc
Dr. Tom Ingegno has been a licensed acupuncturist since 2001. He is the best-selling author of The Cupping Book: Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Healing; and owns and operates Charm City Integrative Health, a multifaceted clinic NYT bestseller and futurist David Houle called the “Future of Medicine.” Dr. Tom also has taught at two universities of East Asian medicine and served as chair of the Maryland Board of Acupuncture and VP of Public Affairs for the Maryland Acupuncture Society. He has been featured in both consumer and professional media, spreading his message of health using modern research, traditional practices, and humor to make complex theories and treatments understandable.