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 body types
Chinese medicine links your build to your constitution. Most people are a mix of two or three – knowing yours helps us tailor treatment, diet and lifestyle advice to you. Tap a body type to read more.
-
BalancedHourglass -
Pear shapePear -
Apple shapeApple -
Phlegm-dampnessPhlegm-damp -
Damp-heatDamp-heat -
Qi & Blood deficiencyLean -
Blood stasisInverted triangle -
Yang deficiencyPuffy
Balanced
Hourglass type
The healthy constitution – well proportioned, with firm muscle and a rosy complexion.
Body features
- Upper and lower body in proportion
- Firm muscles
- Defined waist
- Even, symmetrical limbs
Often comes with
- Plenty of energy
- Good digestion
- Sound sleep
- Healthy, rosy colour
Tongue & pulse: Pale red tongue, thin white coating, even pulse
Pear shape
Pear type
Weight settles in the lower body – slimmer on top, with fuller hips and thighs. In TCM this often points to weak Spleen Qi letting dampness sink downwards.
Body features
- Slimmer upper body
- Heavier lower body
- Full hips and thighs
- Narrower waist
Often comes with
- Swollen legs and ankles
- Weight that is hard to shift
- Irregular periods
- Feeling the cold, cold hands and feet
Tongue & pulse: Pale, swollen tongue, white coating, soft pulse
Apple shape
Apple type
Weight gathers around the middle – a fuller belly with slimmer arms and legs. Often linked with Stomach heat, phlegm and rich food or alcohol.
Body features
- Noticeable belly fat
- Broader upper body
- Slimmer limbs
- Prone to a “beer belly”
Often comes with
- Visceral fat
- Bitter, sticky mouth
- Bloating and indigestion
- Raised cholesterol or blood pressure
Tongue & pulse: Red, swollen tongue, yellow greasy coating, slippery pulse
Phlegm-dampness
Phlegm-damp type
A heavier, softer build overall, with puffiness – dampness that the body is not clearing.
Body features
- Heavier all over
- Soft, loose muscles
- Soft, sagging belly
- Puffy, especially the legs
Often comes with
- Tiring easily
- Thick, greasy white tongue coating
- Sticky, sluggish stools
- Heavy head, sleepiness
Tongue & pulse: Swollen tongue, thick greasy coating, slippery pulse
Damp-heat
Damp-heat type
Medium to heavier build with oily skin – dampness that has turned to heat.
Body features
- Medium or heavier build
- Fat around the belly
- Oily skin
- Spots and large pores
Often comes with
- Bitter mouth, bad breath
- Sweating easily
- Sticky stools or constipation
- Greasy skin, breakouts
Tongue & pulse: Red tongue, yellow greasy coating
Qi & Blood deficiency
Lean type
A slim, lean build with little muscle or fat – not enough Qi and Blood to nourish the body.
Body features
- Slim all over
- Little muscle and fat
- Narrow shoulders, flat chest
- Slender limbs
Often comes with
- Tiring easily
- Dizziness, palpitations
- Pale or sallow complexion
- Cold hands and feet
Tongue & pulse: Pale tongue, thin weak pulse
Blood stasis
Inverted triangle type
A sturdier build with tight muscles – Blood is not circulating freely.
Body features
- Sturdier build
- Tight neck and shoulders, hard muscles
- Fat in patches
- Body lines not smooth
Often comes with
- Dull, darker complexion
- Bruising easily
- Dark periods with clots
- Neck, shoulder and back pain
Tongue & pulse: Purple tongue, dark veins underneath, choppy pulse
Yang deficiency
Puffy type
Soft and puffy rather than truly overweight – not enough warmth (Yang) to move fluids.
Body features
- Puffy, soft muscles
- Soft belly
- Swollen hands and feet
- Figure not well defined
Often comes with
- Feeling the cold
- Low energy
- Loose stools
- Water retention
Tongue & pulse: Pale, swollen tongue with teeth marks, deep slow 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★★★★★533 Google reviews across our 3 clinics: London Victoria, City of London & Abu Dhabi
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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