TCM constitution assessment & preventive 'Zhi Wei Bing' check-up

About this therapy

This service introduces foreigners to proactive TCM wellness. Doctors assess your body constitution among nine types (balanced/平和质 or biased ones like Qi-deficient/气虚质, Yang-deficient/阳虚质, Phlegm-damp/痰湿质, etc.) using a standardized questionnaire, tongue observation, and pulse diagnosis. 'Zhi Wei Bing' ('treat before disease') focuses on identifying imbalances early to prevent illness through personalized diet, lifestyle, exercise (like Tai Chi), and non-drug therapies rather than waiting for symptoms. Ideal for subhealthy individuals with fatigue, stress, poor sleep, digestion issues, recurrent colds, metabolic concerns, or travelers seeking vitality optimization and cultural health insights. It empowers self-care by aligning habits with your unique constitution to restore Yin-Yang harmony and organ function.

How it works

Follows national standard (GB/T46939-2025 based on Wang Qi's 9-constitution framework). Patient completes shortened questionnaire (~4-5 min); TCM doctor performs four diagnostics (inspection incl. tongue, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry on symptoms/lifestyle, pulse palpation). May include meridian detection or AI tools. Analysis determines primary/concurrent constitutions, disease predispositions, and generates individualized Zhi Wei Bing plan with diet, exercise, emotional regulation, acupoint guidance, and possible supportive therapies like moxibustion or herbal formulas.

What to expect

Initial session involves questionnaire, 20-40 min consultation with painless tongue/pulse exam and discussion (relaxing, informative). Receive report detailing constitution, risks, and tailored plan. Total ~30-60 min. Follow-ups may include acupuncture, cupping, scraping or monitoring. For foreign visitors, assessment and guidance achievable in 1-2 visits; short therapies (days) or self-managed plan possible without long stay, though 1-2 weeks allows immersion and initial treatments. Annual re-assessment recommended.

Typical programme

about 45 minutes per session; arranged individually

Cautions

• Not suitable as primary treatment for acute, severe, or emergent medical conditions; seek conventional care immediately
• Must be conducted by qualified, licensed TCM physicians in accredited hospitals
• Disclose all medications and conditions as herbal/lifestyle advice may interact
• Pregnant individuals or those with serious chronic diseases require specialist consultation first
• Results vary individually; requires ongoing adherence to lifestyle changes for benefits
• Self-diagnosis or unguided extreme regimens based on online quizzes should be avoided

Often used for

• Subhealth and fatigueLimited Western RCTs; widespread in NATCM guidelines and Chinese observational studies linking constitutions to symptoms.
• Recurrent infections/coldsQi-deficient constitution association per national standards; evidence mostly observational, common in clinical practice.
• Insomnia and stress-related issuesQi-stagnation and Yin-deficiency links in TCM literature; supported by intervention guidelines, preliminary evidence.
• Digestive disordersPhlegm-damp and Spleen Qi deficiency correlations; standard in Zhiweibing centers, limited Cochrane data.
• Pre-metabolic syndrome/obesity tendencyPhlegm-damp constitution strongly associated in Chinese epidemiological reviews (>1600 studies); national prevention guidelines.
• Allergies (special diathesis)Te Bing standard recognition; observational support, evidence limited per PubMed/Cochrane.
• Cardiovascular disease preventionBlood-stasis and Qi-deficiency risks noted in standards; practice-based, needs more high-level RCTs.
• Menopausal symptomsYin/Yang deficiency common; TCM guidelines for intervention, evidence from Chinese trials mostly.
• Emotional imbalancesQi-stagnation primary; integrated in Zhiweibing care, preliminary supportive data.