Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) embodies humanistic values from various traditions, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. While not strictly a branch of humanistic philosophy, TCM integrates elements from these traditions to emphasize human-centered care and harmony with nature. The "Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic" texts illustrate TCM's holistic approach, focusing on the importance of human well-being amidst the completeness of the universe.

TCM's philosophy extends beyond medical techniques, advocating for mental peace and spiritual well-being as essential components of health and longevity.

[Note: Unfortunately, this aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine has not received the attention it deserves, presenting a separation between philosophy and practice.]

Intervention Model

Informed by TCM and enriched by psychological counseling, interventions harmonize body, mind, and spirit within a humanistic ethical framework. Utilizing a model rooted in constitutional variances and guided by "5-therapy," it aims for a holistic "good life."
Here, "good" denotes both wholesomeness and skillfulness, encapsulating life's purpose and mastery.

While each discipline offers unique life views and principles, they converge on integrating body, mind, and spirit to navigate life's trials. Leveraging their strengths, they offer varied approaches. For instance, TCM treats physical ailments, philosophy guides spiritually, and counseling psychology delves into the grieving process. These disciplines complement each other, with TCM addressing illness, philosophy offering spiritual direction, and psychology guiding emotional healing through stages of grief, showcasing their distinct roles and synergies.

Chinese Medicine - Emphasizes the adjustment of individual qi, blood, form, and will.

Counseling - Focuses on the cultivation of individual psychological and spiritual balance.

Philosophical and Spiritual Guidance[1] - Emphasizes the exploration of individual spirituality and life views.

[1] Humanities, philosophy, and religion seek to respond to the needs of the soul. Therefore, the development of spirituality can be chosen according to individual characteristics.

Constitutional Differences

The "Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic" outlines the concept of constitutional differences, including Yin-Yang Five Elements, body type, and psychological traits. For instance, the Five Elements theory categorizes constitutions into Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water types, with variations within each type. This concept, rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, has also garnered attention globally, with studies in countries like the US, Japan, and Russia. In the West, Greek scholars introduced the theory of the four elements, later developed by figures like Hippocrates. Wang Qi's "9-Types of Constitution Classification" [2] further explores individual tendencies through questionnaires, providing insights into physical, psychological, and health characteristics, along with lifestyle recommendations.

[2] In modern constitution studies, diverse theories exist. Professor Wang Qi devised a user-friendly questionnaire, widely adopted despite criticism for its subjective nature and lack of Four Diagnoses data. Yet, it remains valuable for individuals to grasp their constitution tendencies preliminarily.

Understaning your Constitutional Differences (Chinese Version Only)

5-Therapy

"5-Therapy" (五療法) is based on individual differences and presents personalized development, treatment, and therapeutic plans within the three essential and inseparable realms of body, mind, and spirit, aiming to address physical weaknesses or mental disturbances caused by physical and mental illnesses in life, and to assist in recovery or improve quality of life. The five intervention points in the "5-Therapy" are not mutually exclusive, nor are they ranked in importance; they are tailored to individual needs.

The "5-Therapy" is a holistic care and development model composed of five different intervention points. It encompasses individual needs ranging from basic necessities like diet to higher-level spiritual needs. The selection of intervention points not only considers constitutional factors but also takes into account factors such as the individual's living environment, cognition, mental state, disease stage, and available resources to assist in formulating personalised intervention strategies.

• Dietary Therapy: According to the adage, diet significantly affects health. The spleen and stomach's vitality is vital; their weakness invites illness. Diet isn't just about nutrition; it also considers tastes like warm, cool, cold, hot, sweet, sour, bitter, salty, necessitating awareness of what to consume and avoid.

• Movement Therapy: "Movement" encompasses exercise, moderating qi and blood flow. Informed by TCM, it combines acupuncture meridians, unity of form and spirit, tailoring exercises. It also involves experiential activities in diverse mediums related to body, movement, or relevant life scenarios.

• Dialogue Therapy: This therapy fosters adaptive coping mechanisms, enhancing self-awareness and positive interactions for improved physical and mental health. It applies diverse counseling theories and strategies to address emotional distress and mental imbalance, promoting holistic well-being.

• Remedy Therapy: This therapy adjusts yin-yang, qi, blood, form, and will using remedies to restore harmony. In TCM, remedies can be categorized as internal and external. External remedies come from nature, such as plants, insects, and minerals, while internal remedies involve adjusting the body's inherent vital energy.

• Spiritual Therapy: Based on Buddhism, it explores life's essence, self, and illness, fostering transformation in body, mind, and spirit through acceptance or learning to accept adversity and illness.