Head & neck
Yang channels, tension
Where the Yang channels meet – tension and heat rise here.
- Possible signs
- Stiff neck, tender points at the base of the skull
- What it may suggest
- Stress, headaches, poor sleep or rising Liver Yang.
← TCM Consultation
TCM Consultation
Body Consultation
Your body tells its own story. Your practitioner observes your build, posture and movement, and gently palpates areas of discomfort, acupuncture points and channels – finding tension, tenderness and temperature changes that show where Qi and Blood are not flowing freely.
The concept
Reading the body
In Chinese medicine, how you hold and move your body reflects what is happening inside. Your practitioner looks at your build, posture and movement and feels the areas below – this is especially important for pain and musculoskeletal problems, and helps us find the most effective points to treat.
What we look for in each area
Shoulders & upper back
Lungs, stress held in muscles
Posture, breathing, and where we hold stress.
- Possible signs
- Raised or rounded shoulders, knotted muscles
- What it may suggest
- Stress and Qi stagnation, desk posture, or weak Lung Qi.
Chest & ribs
Heart, Lungs, Liver
Breathing, emotions and the flow of Liver Qi.
- Possible signs
- Shallow breathing, tightness or tenderness under the ribs
- What it may suggest
- Anxiety, sighing, PMS breast tenderness or Liver Qi stagnation.
Abdomen
Spleen, Stomach, womb
Digestion, and in women the womb and cycle.
- Possible signs
- Soft and cold, bloated, or tender on pressure
- What it may suggest
- Weak digestion and dampness, cold in the womb, or Blood stasis.
Lower back
Kidneys
Energy reserves, hormones and fertility.
- Possible signs
- Weak, cold or aching lower back
- What it may suggest
- Kidney deficiency – especially when it is worse with tiredness.
Joints & limbs
Channels, pain, mobility
How Qi and Blood flow through the channels.
- Possible signs
- Stiffness, swelling, cold or hot joints, tender points
- What it may suggest
- Blockage in the channels – cold, damp, heat or stasis.
What we observe
Build
Slim or heavy, firm or soft – your build hints at your constitution.
Posture
Upright or slouched, raised shoulders, uneven hips – posture shows tension and weakness.
Movement
How you walk, sit and turn shows stiffness, pain and energy levels.
Skin & muscle
Muscle tone, skin texture, puffiness or dryness reflect Qi, Blood and fluids.
Touch
Gentle pressure finds tenderness, knots, and warm or cold areas along the channels.
Body types
The eight TCM body constitutions
Chinese medicine describes eight common body constitutions. Most people are a mix of two or three – knowing yours helps us tailor treatment, diet and lifestyle advice to you.
Balanced
平和体质 · Hourglass
Well proportioned, with moderate muscle and a rosy, healthy complexion.
Often comes with
- Plenty of energy
- Good digestion
- Normal sleep
Tongue & pulse: Pale red tongue, even pulse
Phlegm-dampness
痰湿体质 · Apple
A rounder build with a protruding belly, limbs that puff up easily and soft, loose muscles.
Often comes with
- Tiring easily
- Thick, greasy white tongue coating
- Sticky stools
- Oily skin, spots
Tongue & pulse: Swollen tongue, thick coating, slippery pulse
Damp-heat
湿热体质 · Pear
Carries more weight in the upper body and waist, with oily skin prone to spots, redness and sweating.
Often comes with
- Bitter, sticky mouth
- Spots, oily skin
- Sticky stools or constipation
- Irritability
Tongue & pulse: Red tongue, yellow greasy coating
Qi & Blood deficiency
气血亏虚 · Lean
A slim build with little muscle, a pale or sallow complexion, and cold hands and feet.
Often comes with
- Tiring easily
- Dizziness, palpitations
- Light, pale periods
- Light sleep
Tongue & pulse: Pale tongue, thin weak pulse
Qi stagnation
气滞体质 · Inverted triangle
Slim in the upper body but with a belly that bloats easily, tense neck and shoulders, and weight that goes up and down.
Often comes with
- Low mood
- Tight chest, rib-side tension
- Bloating, wind
- Irregular periods
Tongue & pulse: Tongue with red sides, wiry pulse
Blood stasis
血瘀体质 · Rectangle
Heavier in the lower body with thicker hips and thighs, stiff neck and shoulders, and skin that darkens easily.
Often comes with
- Dull complexion
- Bruising, dark circles
- Dark periods with clots
- Aching limbs
Tongue & pulse: Purple tongue, dark veins underneath
Yang deficiency
阳虚体质 · Puffy
Soft muscles, puffiness and water retention, a pale complexion, and cold hands and feet.
Often comes with
- Feeling the cold
- Low energy
- Loose stools
- Pale, swollen tongue with teeth marks
Tongue & pulse: Pale, swollen tongue, deep slow pulse
Yin deficiency
阴虚体质 · Thin
Slim with firm muscles, a thin, dry build, a reddish complexion and a dry mouth.
Often comes with
- Dry mouth
- Hot palms and soles
- Light sleep
- Irritability
Tongue & pulse: Red tongue, little coating, thin rapid pulse
Not sure which one fits? Most people are a mix. Your body consultation is part of every first visit, alongside face, tongue, pulse and question consultation. How a TCM consultation works →
Patient reviews
What our patients say on Google
Google reviews
4.9★★★★★470 Google reviews across our 2 clinics: London Victoria & City of London
tatiana b
★★★★★
I had acupuncture and cupping with Emma, and she truly worked wonders on my back and neck. I came in barely able to turn my head, and now I feel so much better relaxed, pain-free, and mobile again. I’d had a bad experience elsewhere before, but Emma completely turned things around. Highly recommend!
GS PK
★★★★★
I am very satisfied with the herbal remedies for perimenopause. I don't have hot flashes after the medication. And electric acupuncture soothes my plantar fascists on both feet. The capsules for bowel movement are working very well.
Marina Helmke
★★★★★
The staff specially Yao meng did an excellent job. In addition she is very kind and explain to the patients what to expect. Thank you very much.
Amal Alkhlewi
★★★★★
I highly recommend Acupro. They are very professional and take the time to tailor your treatment for you.
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