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About TCMWhat is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
A system of healthcare developed over thousands of years, focused on restoring balance across the whole body.
A living tradition
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has developed over thousands of years and is an integral part of Chinese culture. Its modern form has been shaped by many influences, including related East Asian traditions from Korea and Japan. Today, Western and Chinese medicine work alongside one another within China’s healthcare system.
TCM’s principles draw on several schools of thought, notably Taoism, Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism. Its core theories include Yin and Yang, Zang-Fu (the theory of the organs), the Five Elements, the concept of Qi, and the Eight Principles.
Looking at the whole picture
TCM considers the body as a whole, in which organs and systems are connected in many — sometimes subtle — ways. Rather than focusing on a symptom in isolation, the practitioner looks for the underlying pattern. The aim is to restore balance across the whole system, and between mind and body.
Eight Constitution Medicine
Developed in South Korea by Dowon Kwon, Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM) extends Sasang constitutional medicine. It divides people into eight constitutional types, based on the relative strengths and weaknesses of twelve internal organs and the autonomic nervous system.
The eight constitutions
Each constitution is named after the organ or system that is strongest in that type.
Hepatonia
Liver-dominant
Cholecystonia
Gallbladder-dominant
Pancreotonia
Pancreas / spleen-dominant
Gastrotonia
Stomach-dominant
Pulmotonia
Lung-dominant
Colonotonia
Large intestine-dominant
Renotonia
Kidney-dominant
Vesicotonia
Bladder-dominant
Core principles
Diagnosis
Your constitution is identified mainly through a specialised radial pulse diagnosis, supported by questions about your physical and emotional tendencies and how you respond to different foods.
Health and imbalance
Every constitution has naturally stronger and weaker organs. Health is a stable balance between them; problems arise when lifestyle or diet pushes that balance into excess.
Eight Constitution Acupuncture
Rather than targeting local symptoms, ECA uses brief, very shallow needle insertion with specific sequences of points chosen to correct the imbalance of your constitution.
Constitutional diet
You receive personalised dietary guidance, favouring foods that suit your constitution and avoiding those that place strain on its weaker organs. Constitutional food therapy
The four methods of assessment
A TCM assessment relies on careful observation and conversation. Read more about your consultation.
Asking
Your background, health history and lifestyle.
Observing
Tongue examination and other outward signs.
Listening
The quality of the voice and breathing.
Touching
Pulse reading and palpation.
How TCM treats
Some treatments work internally, such as Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional supplements and dietary therapy. Others work by stimulating specific areas of the body, such as acupuncture (the insertion of fine needles at selected points), cupping and therapeutic exercise.
Book a consultation
Appointments Monday to Saturday, 9am–7pm. Call us or request a time online and we will confirm by email or phone.