TCM Fundamental & Essential Diagnosis
A foundational Traditional Chinese Medicine course for health and wellness practitioners, wellness educators, and interested members of the public who wish to understand core TCM theories, diagnostic thinking, and practical health betterment applications.
Course Reference Number: TGS-2022013741
Course Overview
TCM Fundamental & Essential Diagnosis is a formative foundation course in the TCMandYou learning pathway. It is designed for health and wellness practitioners, wellness educators, and motivated learners who wish to build a structured understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its diagnostic approach.
Traditional Chinese Medicine stands on several thousand years of accumulated observation, clinical experience, philosophical development, and health betterment wisdom. Today, Chinese Medicine is practised and studied in many parts of the world as part of mainstream, complementary, or integrative approaches to health and wellness.
This course introduces participants to the essential theoretical foundations of TCM, including Yin-Yang, Five Elements, Zang-Fu visceral systems, Essence, Qi, Blood, Body Fluids, Spirit, etiology, pathophysiology, syndrome differentiation, and the Eight Principles of diagnosis.
Why This Foundation Course Matters
Many learners encounter TCM through isolated topics such as acupuncture, meridians, medicated diet, pain management, or wellness practices. However, without a strong foundation in TCM theory and diagnosis, these topics can become fragmented.
This course provides the essential framework needed to understand how TCM observes the human body, interprets signs and symptoms, identifies patterns, and applies health betterment principles responsibly.
It is especially useful for practitioners and learners who want to progress into other TCMandYou courses with a stronger conceptual foundation.
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to enable health and wellness practitioners to acquire key foundational knowledge in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Participants will learn the principles and theoretical background of Chinese Medicine, together with basic diagnostic approaches that can support health betterment education, wellness communication, and responsible professional development.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, learners will gain an understanding of:
1. Background of Chinese Medicine
Understand the historical development, philosophical foundation, and broad health context of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
2. Yin-Yang Theory
Learn how Yin-Yang theory is used to understand balance, change, contrast, and functional relationships in TCM.
3. Five Elements Theory
Explore the Five Elements framework and how it supports TCM observation, classification, and health interpretation.
4. Zang-Fu Visceral Systems
Understand the major Zang-Fu systems and their functional significance from the TCM perspective.
5. Essence, Qi, Blood, Body Fluids and Spirit
Learn the key TCM concepts used to describe vitality, nourishment, circulation, moisture, and mental-emotional presence.
6. Etiology and Pathophysiology
Understand common TCM perspectives on causes of imbalance and how patterns may develop over time.
7. Syndrome Differentiation
Learn the basic logic of syndrome differentiation and how TCM organises signs and symptoms into meaningful patterns.
8. Eight Principles of Diagnosis
Understand the Eight Principles as a foundational diagnostic framework for organising TCM observations.
Course Details
Duration
12 hours
Delivery Mode
- Online and/or classroom delivery
- Lecture and case analysis
- Practical exercises and guided practice where applicable
- Assessment of knowledge application competency
Course Fee
S$250
- SkillsFuture Credit eligible
- NTUC UTAP supported
- Participants may claim 50% of the course fee through NTUC UTAP, subject to eligibility
Certificate
Certificate of Completion:
TCM Fundamental & Essential Diagnosis for Health and Wellness Practitioners
Course Contents
Module 1: Foundations and Core Theories of TCM
- Background and development of Chinese Medicine
- Basic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Yin-Yang theory
- Five Elements theory
Module 2: Understanding the Body through TCM
- Zang-Fu visceral systems
- Essence, Qi, Blood, Body Fluids and Spirit
- Functional relationships between internal systems
- TCM perspective on balance, nourishment, vitality, and regulation
Module 3: Etiology and Pathophysiology
- TCM perspective on causes of imbalance
- External, internal, and lifestyle-related contributing factors
- How signs and symptoms may develop into recognisable patterns
- Health betterment thinking from the TCM perspective
Module 4: Essential TCM Diagnosis
- Syndrome differentiation diagnostic approaches
- The Eight Principles in diagnosis
- Basic interpretation of TCM patterns
- Application of TCM diagnostic thinking in wellness education
Who Should Attend
This course is suitable for learners and practitioners who wish to build a stronger foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, including:
Acupuncturists and TCM Practitioners
Practitioners who wish to consolidate their fundamental understanding of TCM theories and diagnostic frameworks.
Physical Therapists and Massage Therapists
Manual therapy and bodywork professionals seeking to understand TCM concepts that may inform wellness communication and client education.
Naturopaths and Holistic Health Practitioners
Practitioners interested in complementary health frameworks and TCM-informed approaches to holistic wellness.
Medical and Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals who wish to gain a broad, structured introduction to TCM thinking and terminology.
Wellness Educators and Coaches
Educators, coaches, and wellness professionals who want to communicate TCM health betterment concepts more clearly and responsibly.
Anyone Interested in Chinese Medicine
Learners who are interested in complementary medicine, Chinese Medicine, preventive wellness, and health betterment education.
A Foundation for Further TCM Learning
This course is designed to support learners before they move into more specialised areas such as meridian knowledge, acupressure, medicated diet, women’s health, pain management, sub-health management, mindfulness through TCM, and other practitioner-focused wellness courses.
By learning the fundamentals first, participants can better understand how TCM connects theory, observation, pattern recognition, and practical health betterment guidance.
Important Note
This course is designed for education, wellness development, and foundational understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It does not replace medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare advice. Participants should practise within their professional scope and refer clients or patients to qualified healthcare professionals where appropriate.
Register for the Course
Build a strong foundation in TCM theory, essential diagnosis, and health betterment thinking through this 12-hour practitioner-focused course.
Course fee: S$250 | SkillsFuture Credit eligible | NTUC UTAP supported
Course Reference Number: TGS-2022013741