Bring a typical day of meals
Note breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks. Include quantities where possible and any symptoms after eating.
KIM EUNUI CLINIC
Understanding Eight Constitution Medicine
Eight Constitution Medicine looks at individual differences through an eight-type framework. Here is what the approach means, what happens during a consultation and how dietary advice fits into care.
What does “constitution” mean?
In Eight Constitution Medicine, a constitution is a category within a traditional theoretical framework of organ relationships. The framework describes relative strengths and weaknesses; these terms do not establish that an organ is healthy, damaged or diseased.
ECM and Sasang constitutional medicine are related topics within Korean medicine, but they are not interchangeable names for the same classification. Sasang uses four constitutional types; ECM uses eight.
The eight constitutional types
The eight types are listed below with their Korean names. The detailed guides are currently available in Korean.
How is a constitution assessed?
At Kim Eunui Clinic, assessment considers pulse examination, current symptoms, medical history and treatment responses. Previous experiences with acupuncture and medicines can also inform the consultation.
Food preferences or a short questionnaire alone are not enough for a clinical assessment. The initial assessment is discussed at the first visit and considered again as treatment progresses.
What treatment may involve
Care may include constitution-based acupuncture and guidance on meals and daily habits. Your clinician discusses the approach in relation to your symptoms and health history. Tell the clinic about medicines, allergies, pregnancy and previous reactions to treatment before care begins.
Constitution-based care does not replace emergency care or the ongoing management of a diagnosed condition. Decisions about prescribed medicines should be made with the clinician who manages them.
How to approach a constitution diet
A constitution diet is dietary guidance based on the ECM framework. At a consultation, the useful question is how that guidance fits the food you actually eat, your symptoms and any existing dietary needs.
Explain your existing needs
Mention allergies, diagnosed conditions, prescribed diets and foods you avoid for personal or religious reasons.
Discuss achievable changes
Ask which adjustments to try first and what to record before your next visit. Avoid broad food exclusions based only on a type name.
Continue with a consultation
If you have already been told your constitution, bring that information along with any treatment or food records. The clinic will consider it alongside your current health.
Prepare for your first visitFurther reading
For research context, see the published research on Eight Constitution Medicine. A theoretical description or an individual study should not be read as proof that a treatment works for every condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eight Constitution Medicine the same as Sasang medicine?
No. Sasang constitutional medicine describes four types, while Eight Constitution Medicine describes eight. The names and assessment frameworks should not be treated as interchangeable.
Can I identify my constitution from my favourite foods?
Food preferences alone do not establish a constitution. At Kim Eunui Clinic, assessment considers clinical examination, medical history and treatment responses.
Should I follow a strict constitution food list before visiting?
Bring a record of your usual meals first. Dietary advice needs to account for allergies, existing medical advice and nutritional needs as well as the constitutional framework.