Changhe Yu

Biography and Expertise of Changhe Yu

Dr. Changhe Yu has established a career centered on the clinical practice and scientific investigation of Tuina, a form of Chinese therapeutic massage. As an Associate Chief Physician at Dongzhimen Hospital, he specializes in using non-pharmacological therapies to treat musculoskeletal disorders, with extensive experience in managing bone and joint diseases through Tuina.

His work directly aligns with the 3rd WCTCIM’s thematic axis on “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” For instance, Dr. Yu conducted the first randomized controlled trial comparing Tuina therapy with manual physical therapy (mPT) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This research provides a clinically meaningful evaluation of Tuina’s effectiveness against an active comparator, generating essential data for real-world treatment decisions. Furthermore, his efforts to standardize Tuina therapy support the “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems” by building a foundation of scientific rigor and reproducibility.

In addition to his focus on adult pain management, Dr. Changhe Yu has deep practical experience in Pediatric Tuina. He applies this specialty to address conditions in children related to Zangfu organs, emotional disorders, and pain management. This expertise showcases the versatility of TCIM across different life stages, another key focus of the congress.

Professional Career of Changhe Yu

Dr. Changhe Yu holds several key positions that reflect his leadership in the clinical and academic spheres of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). His primary role is at the prestigious Dongzhimen Hospital, where he combines patient care with significant research and administrative responsibilities. Consequently, his career path demonstrates a commitment to both the practice and the advancement of Tuina therapy.

His appointments highlight his role as a key mid-career figure in the fields of TCM Tuina and pain treatment. Through these roles, he actively contributes to the development and standardization of his specialty on both a departmental and national level.

• Associate Chief Physician: Serves in the Department of Tuina and Pain Management at Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.
• Clinical Discipline Secretary: Manages academic and clinical development for the Tuina discipline as part of the “Double First-Class” University Plan.
• Research Secretary: Coordinates research activities within the Department of Tuina and Pain Management at Dongzhimen Hospital.

These positions allow Dr. Changhe Yu to influence the training of future practitioners and the direction of scientific inquiry in his field. Therefore, he is an active practitioner and leader in advancing Tuina towards greater scientific rigor and international recognition.

Academic Qualifications

The academic foundation of Dr. Changhe Yu combines medical training with advanced research credentials, enabling his work in the clinical and scientific evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This background provides him with the necessary skills to design and execute rigorous studies, such as randomized controlled trials, and to analyze their outcomes with precision.

His qualifications reflect a comprehensive education in both medicine and research methodology. This dual expertise is central to his efforts to build a strong evidence base for therapies like Tuina.

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): This terminal research degree signifies his expertise in scientific methodology and his capacity to conduct independent research, contributing new knowledge to his field.
• Medical Doctor (MD): This degree represents his foundational training and qualification as a medical practitioner, grounding his research in extensive clinical knowledge and patient care experience.

Research and Publications by Changhe Yu

Dr. Changhe Yu has dedicated his career to systematic and innovative research in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). His primary research interests include methodologies for TCM clinical efficacy evaluation, the standardization and mechanism exploration of Tuina therapy, and evidence-based TCM research. His work is instrumental in bridging the gap between traditional practice and modern scientific standards.

As a Principal Investigator, he has successfully secured numerous competitive research grants. These include projects from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, such as the Young Scientist Fund and the General Program, as well as the Beijing Development of Capital Youth Talent Project. This consistent funding underscores the quality and significance of his research agenda. Moreover, Dr. Yu has authored or co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications in both Chinese and international journals. His work has appeared in publications such as the Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, and BMJ Open.

Beyond journal articles, Changhe Yu has contributed to several books and national planning textbooks. He served as an Associate Editor for “Spinal Techniques of Imperial Bone-Setting” and contributed to the translation of “Guideline for Qualitative Research in Randomized Controlled Trials.” He also actively participates in formulating professional norms, having led or participated in developing group standards and expert consensuses like the “Technical Specification for Pediatric Tuina in Medical Institutions” and the “Preventive Intervention Guideline for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” These activities significantly promote the standardization of Tuina practice.

Board and Committee Activities of Changhe Yu

Dr. Changhe Yu is highly active in numerous professional organizations, where he holds significant leadership roles. His involvement demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the field of complementary and integrative medicine, fostering international collaboration, and promoting high standards of practice. Consequently, these positions place him at the forefront of academic and professional discourse in Tuina and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Through his service on these committees, he contributes to shaping the future of his discipline, both within China and globally. His leadership helps guide research priorities, professional education, and the development of clinical guidelines.

• President, ISCMR China Chapter: He leads the China Chapter of the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research (ISCMR), facilitating research and collaboration in the region.
• Vice Chairman, Youth Committee of the Tuina Branch: Within the China Association of Chinese Medicine, he plays a key role in engaging and mentoring the next generation of Tuina practitioners and researchers.
• Standing Council Member, Life Quality Research Branch: He contributes to the China Information Association for Chinese Medicine by focusing on research related to patient life quality.
• Vice Chairman & Secretary-General, Pediatric Tuina Professional Committee: In the Beijing Association of Chinese Medicine, he holds a dual leadership role dedicated to advancing the specialty of Pediatric Tuina.

Further Information on Dr. Changhe Yu

To learn more about the work of Dr. Changhe Yu, further details can be found through his professional affiliation at the Dongzhimen Hospital, which is associated with the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. His extensive publications are indexed in major academic databases and journal websites such as BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies and BMJ Open.