An integrative view of Sasang Medicine, Ayurveda, DiSC, and MBTI.
By David Lee, L.Ac.
The concept of constitutional types has long existed in many cultures, particularly in Korea, India, and the West. Well-known constitutional systems include Sasang Medicine, Ayurveda, DiSC, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
A constitution refers to an individual’s innate nature. It forms the foundation of a person’s physical and psychological characteristics and remains relatively stable throughout life. Although people mature and their experiences shape their behavior, their underlying constitution generally remains the same from childhood through old age. This enduring pattern can often be observed among siblings, who may be different from the other, yet each retain a distinct, consistent identity.
Differences in our genetic makeup contribute to variations in personality, physiology, and the body’s natural mechanisms for maintaining health and well-being. Constitutional medicine seeks to understand these inherent tendencies and uses acupuncture, dietary therapy, and herbal medicine to help restore and maintain balance.
The questionnaire below is designed to help identify your constitutional type. As you answer the questions, think about the characteristics that have consistently described you throughout your life—not isolated events or temporary behaviors. Anyone may occasionally display traits from any constitution, but each person usually has one dominant pattern that remains stable over time.
Place a check next to each characteristic that describes you well. After completing the questionnaire, total the number of check marks in each constitutional category. The constitution with the highest score is likely your primary constitutional type.
