The document discusses body constitution theory in traditional Chinese medicine. It defines body constitution as the relatively constant characteristics of a person's body, including physical form and functions. The theory classifies people into different body types based on qualities like yin/yang balance. Each type has distinct traits and susceptibilities. The document outlines nine common constitution types, describing their characteristics, tendencies, and health recommendations. It then presents a case study of a man diagnosed with multiple constitution imbalances and explains how understanding body theory guided his treatment plan.

1. Body
Constitution Theory
Project Group 1 16 Dec 2014

2. 1.Definition of Body Constitution
Theory
2.Characteristics of Body
Constitution Theory and relationship
with
human health
3. Health preservation example
based on Body Constitution Theory

3. Definition of Body
Constitution Theory

4. Body Constitution means
The relatively constant comprehensive
characteristic of human body in
body form &
structure
physiological
function
mental
activities
Body constitution is determined by hereditary
and acquired factors in the life process of
human individual.

5. The Body Constitution Theory
−refers to a classification of human individuals into different body
types.
−present constitutions as
• the differences in reaction and adaptation to stimuli from
the outside;
• the internal important factor causing disease;
−provide the assessment of risk for disease and guidance on
treatment measures.

6. Characteristics of Body
Constitution Theory and
human health

7. Physiological Foundation of
Constitution
−The human organs such as viscera, meridians, body
and orifices, and the basic substances such as essence,
qi, blood and body fluid maintain the normal life
activities, and are the physiological foundations for the
development of constitution.
−Constitution is determined by the strength and
abundance of these organs and substances as well as
their coordination.
−Kidney and Spleen have more obvious effect on
determining constitution.
−Constitution can change over time

8. In pathological aspect
body constitution presents itself with
susceptibility to some pathogenic
factors, liability to some diseases, and
particular tendency in the
development and transfer of diseases.
In physiological aspect
body constitution presents itself with
the individual differences of function,
metabolism and response to external
stimuli.

9. Factors affecting Constitution
-Any factors that can affect the functional activities
of tissue organs and basic substances will influence
the constitution
natural
endowment aaggee GGeennddeerr
Diet
Diet work & rest eemmoottioionn geological
SSoocciaiall
DDisiseeaassee Acupuncture MMeeddicicininee

10. Traditional Classifications
According to Five Elements
(5 types)
According to the variety of
Yin Yang (5 types)

11. The Recent
Classificatio
n
9 Body
Constitutions
Yang Qi Deficiency
Deficiency
Neutral
Yin Deficiency
Phlegm & Dampness Damp-heat Blood Stasis
Special constitution Qi Stagnation

12. Neutral or
Balanced
Type
Characteristics:
•Balanced yin-yang, qi and blood, adequate essence,
vitality and strong qi.
•Strong physique, stable emotional or mental state and
feel optimistic.
•Often have lustrous complexion and hair, bright eyes,
proper sense of smell and taste, red and moist lips, less
prone to fatigue, sleep well, good appetite, normal bowel
and urinary habits.
•Adaptable to environmental changes.
We will use a case example to illustrate how a good
understanding of the body constitutions can help to
preserve one’s health the TCM Way!

13. Qi
Deficiency
Characteristics:
•insufficient qi;
•flabby muscles, normally introvert and timid in personality;
•often have feeble voice, shortness of breath, fatigue;
•weak immunity, catching cold or flu easily;
•takes a longer time to recover from illnesses;
•sweating and teeth marks in the tongue margin;
•sensitive to environmental changes.

14. Yang
Deficiency
Characteristics:
•Flabby muscles;
•Quiet, sleepy, introvert ;
•cold hands and feet;
•cold feeling in stomach and discomfort after eating
cold foods;
•sensitive to low temperatures ;
•uncomfortable in windy, cold and humid environment.
•pale and bulky tongue.
•susceptible to puffiness, diarrhea and excess throat
secretions.
Diet to balance body constitution Lifestyle to balance body constitution
Eat more food that are Qi-beneficial and
warming, e.g. beef and garlic;
Eat less food that are raw and cold, e.g.
cucumber and winter melon
Avoid staying in air-conditioned rooms for
long periods;
Keep the feet, back and lower abdomen
warm;
Do mild exercises, such as jogging and tai chi;
Use hot springs and saunas;
Listen to songs that lift the spirit and relieve
anxiety

15. Yin
Deficiency
Characteristics:
•thin physique;
•outgoing and impatient ;
•warm palms and soles, dry mouth and nose;
•preference for cold drinks;
•dry stools or constipation;
•uncomfortable in hot and dry environments.
•They are susceptible to cough, fatigue, seminal
emission, insomnia, sore throat, fever, and some
chronic diseases.

16. Phlegm &
Dampness
Characteristics:
•Usually overweight and have tummy;
•mild temperaments, steady and patient[;
•oily face, sticky or sweet taste in the mouth;
•excessive throat secretion, sweating, chest stuffiness;
•preference for sweet and greasy foods;
•thick tongue coating.;
•often feel uncomfortable in humid and rainy
environments;
•susceptible to diabetes, metabolic syndrome or
cardiovascular diseases.

17. Damp-heat
Characteristics:
•Normal or thin stature;
•irritable and short-tempered;
•oily face that erupts acne or pimple frequently,;
•a bitter or strength taste in the mouth;
•fatigue or heaviness of the body;
•uncompleted feeling after defecation or dry stools,
yellow urine, excess vaginal discharges in female wet
scrota in male;
•yellow greasy tongue coating.
•sensitive to humid and hot environments;
•susceptible to skin problems and urinary difficulties.

18. Blood Stasis Characteristics:
•sluggish or obstructed, even stagnant, blood circulation;
•impatient and forgetful;
•dull complexion – dry, rough skin, bloodshot eyes, dark
eye circle, pigmentation, dark-red lips, purplish or dark
spots on the tongue, unknown bruises on the body
surface, and varicose veins.
•They often feel uncomfortable in cold environments.
•They are susceptible to bleedings, body pain (caused by
obstructed blood in viscera or meridian), and abnormal
growths.

19. Qi
Stagnation
Characteristics:
•The qi dynamic is disturbed with hindered flow.
• They are mostly thin, and tend to be emotional
unstable, melancholic or suspicious.
•They often have a throat clogging sensation, bloated
sensation.
•easily worried, timid, frequent sighing, low spirit and
low mood.
•They respond relatively poorly to stressful situations,
especially in winter and autumn and also rainy days.
•They are susceptible to insomnia, depression,
palpitations, anxiety disorder and breast lumps.

20. Special
Constitution
Allergy/Congenital Disorder
•These are usually inborn weaknesses (hereditary);
•sensitive to drugs, foods, smells, pollen or other
environmental allergens such as cold weather or haze;
•often develop nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose,
panting, wheezing, skin rashes, itchiness and even purple
spots or patches under the skin;
•common health problems among individuals are drug
allergies, hay fever, eczema and asthma;
•more susceptible to external influences, and seasonal
changes.

21. Observations
In reality, it is hard to classify an individual into one body
constitution. A mixed type is likely to exist.
For example, an individual can be both yin deficient and damp-heat;
qi deficient and dampness; qi stagnation and blood stasis.
For most people, consulting a TCM professional is the best way to
know their body types.
Body Constitution Theory helps us to have better awareness
of our body and knowledge to improve our well-being.

22. Health preservation
example based on Body
Constitution Theory

23. Michael went to see a TCM doctor.
Dr Quek noted that:
•he has a pale, dull complexion, accompanied by
a soft and low voice.
•He looked slightly bald, and presented an
anxious and worried face.
•Bruises were also noticed on his left arm (not due
to injuries).
•His pulse was slow, weak and thready.
On further questioning, Michael revealed that:
his parents had history of breathlessness and
anxiety attacks.
He has been very weak since younger days, but
now the attacks are more frequent and severe.
he likes oily, spicy and fried foodstuff, which he
must take at least once every meals. He dislikes
vegetables and fruits.
he was very stressed at work (worked in the
present job for 5 years).
Case Study
Male, Single, Age 50

24. +
+ pale, dull complexion, soft and low voice.
+ Bruises
Male, Single, Age 50
slightly bald
+ breathlessness, anxiety attacks
+ slow, weak and thready pulse

25. Dr Quek’s analysis
•Manifestation of Michael’s symptoms and signs show that his body
constitution is weak.
•his biased dietary habits has resulted in inadequate qi-blood circulation and
hypo-function of his viscera and meridian system.
•He might be suffering from syndrome of qi deficiency and stagnation,
coupled with blood stasis and dampness.
•Micheal is an example of an individual having a mixed type of constitution
ie. both yin deficient and damp-heat; qi deficient and dampness; qi
stagnation and blood stasis.
• Irrespective of an individual inherited a good innate qi; one must cultivate
the acquired qi; to stay balanced and healthy.
Dr Quek use the factors that affect his body constitution to help him understand his
health conditions and hopefully, to improve his health 。

26. The innate Qi
The acquired
Qi
kkididnneeyy SSppleleeenn LLuunngg
Spleen – Stomach is a key for Qi deficiency
Preservation

27. How can we preserve healthy for Qi deficient
people?
Diet Taking foods that are good for spleen, such as millet,
lentils, chicken, red dates, Longan, Chinese yam.
Drink Avoid cold drinks and ice cream, as the spleen would be
hurt easily by cold.
Exercise Slow exercise like qigong, yoga, meridian flapping could
Life style
help on Qi formation
A health lifestyle like sleep early and wake up early would
be good for maintaining harmonious inter-relations
between the viscera, which is the basis of Qi formation.
Meridian
Massaging on key spleen-stomach and Qi related meridian
points such as ST36 (Zusanli), RN6 (Qihai ) ，
BL20（Piyu）
Emotional
Factor
As the saying goes, worry impairing spleen, while melancholy
impairing lung. We should avoid these kind of emotions to
preserve Qi healthy.

28. QQuueessttiioonnss??
conditions and hopefully, to improve his health 。
Team 1
TCM Assistant Course
Andrew Jane Joanne Johnson Joyce Sandy Wendy