BodyConstitution Theory

Project Group 1 16 Dec 2014

3. Health preservation example based on Body Constitution Theory

2.Characteristics of Body Constitution Theory and relationship

with human health

1.Definition of Body Constitution Theory

Definition of Body Constitution Theory

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.

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.

Characteristics of Body Constitution Theory and

human health

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

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 aspectbody constitution presents itself with the individual differences of function, metabolism and response to external stimuli.

Factors affecting Constitution-Any factors that can affect the functional activities of tissue organs and basic substances will influence the constitution

ageage GenderGendernatural

endowment DietDiet

emotionemotionwork & rest SocialSocial

DiseaseDisease MedicineMedicineAcupuncture

geological

According to Five Elements (5 types)

According to the variety of Yin Yang (5 types)

Traditional Classifications

The Recent Classification

9 Body Constitutions

Neutral

Qi DeficiencyYang Deficiency

Yin Deficiency

Phlegm & Dampness Damp-heat Blood Stasis

Qi StagnationSpecial constitution

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

Damp-heatCharacteristics:•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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Health preservation example based on Body

Constitution Theory

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

+

Male, Single, Age 50

+ pale, dull complexion, soft and low voice.

slightly bald

+ breathlessness, anxiety attacks

+ Bruises

+ slow, weak and thready pulse

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 。

The innate Qi

kidneykidney SpleenSpleen LungLung

The acquired Qi

Spleen – Stomach is a key for Qi deficiency Preservation

Diet Taking foods that are good for spleen, such as millet, lentils, chicken, red dates, Longan, Chinese yam.

How can we preserve healthy for Qi deficient people?

Drink Avoid cold drinks and ice cream, as the spleen would be hurt easily by cold.

Life styleA 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 ）

Exercise Slow exercise like qigong, yoga, meridian flapping could help on Qi formation

Emotional Factor

As the saying goes, worry impairing spleen, while melancholy impairing lung. We should avoid these kind of emotions to preserve Qi healthy.

conditions and hopefully, to improve his health 。

Questions?Questions?

Team 1 TCM Assistant Course

Andrew Jane Joanne Johnson Joyce Sandy Wendy