Reinterpreting Yangsaeng in Physiology on Korean Medicine for Geriatric Care: A Personalized Self-Care Model for Future Medicine

Yangsaeng–geriatric physiology is a specialized subfield of traditional East Asian medicine that integrates the physiological characteristics of aging with preventive strategies based on health(Yangsaeng). While advances in biomedicine primarily infection focused and surgical interventions have extended life expectancy, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and dementia has surged. This epidemiological shift exposes the limitations of conventional treatment oriented approaches and underscores the need for ‘Medicine 3.0’, a paradigm emphasizing early intervention and comprehensive management of exercise, nutrition, sleep, and emotional well-being. In contrast to the Cartesian dualism underpinning modern medicine, Korean medicine offers a holistic foundation rooted in harmony between humans and nature, Sasang Constitutional Medicine(SCM) for personalized care, and Yangsaeng for self directed health maintenance. This study examines the conceptual intersection of future medicine discourse with Yangsaeng and Sasang constitutional theories, proposing a new framework for geriatric physiology and individualized health management and informing the modern reinterpretation of foundational Korean medicine theories. Consequently, this paper suggest that Yangsaeng geriatric physiology warrants renewed attention as an integrated mind-body framework. By prioritizing prevention, personalization, and self-care, this discipline presents a valuable medical model aligned with the goals of extending healthy life expectancy in an aging society.