Kit Li
During my visit to Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Southern Medical University (1), with the invaluable support and assistance of Professor TJ Tang and Vice President Huang, I had the opportunity to engage in learning and discussions with numerous experts and professors.
Over five consecutive days of observation in the Outpatient Department, I had the honour of shadowing Professor Zhou (2), an expert in stroke treatment, to observe diagnosis and treatment processes and discuss the significant of ‘Twelve Meridians Therapy’ for stroke patients. I also learned ‘Pain Management Methods’ from Director, Dr Yang and Dr Wang, and observed the ‘Autohemaotherapy’ (3) and ‘Catgut Embedding’ (4) techniques performed by Deputy Director, Dr Chen and Dr Zhan.
At the Rehabilitation Centre, I exchanged insights with Dr Chen and met many diligent second- and third-year students. Subsequently, I visited Head Nurse Professor Ding (5), and Director, Dr Song of the Oncology Centre. The traditional Chinese medicine equipment and methods employed there were highly enlightening.
Thanks to the assistant of Professor Tang and Dr Chen, a meeting with Professor Wang (6) was arranged at short notice, allowing me to learn from his ‘Jin’s Three Needle Therapy’ (7) acupuncture technique.
My heartfelt thanks go to every mentor and friend who accompanied and cared for me during these five days, I look forward to the possibility of reuniting in the future.
References:
1) Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Southern Medical University: https://www.nfzxy.com/
2) Professor Zhou Guoping, Chief Physician, Professor, Medical Doctor, Doctoral Supervisor, serves as the Director of the Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Rehabilitation Department at the Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Southern Medical University. He is recognized as a "Lingnan Acupuncture Master" and a "Renowned Doctor of Yangcheng."
3) ‘Autohemaotherapy’ evolved from aquatic acupuncture therapy and was first documented in Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica during the Ming Dynasty. Also known as Meridian Blood Injection Therapy (i.e., Autologous Blood Acupoint Injection Therapy), this method involves injecting a patient's own venous blood into specific acupoints to achieve therapeutic effects. It primarily intervenes in diseases through immunoregulatory mechanisms. By combining the effects of acupuncture, autologous blood, and acupoint stimulation, it achieves comprehensive efficacy. Notable for its minimal yet precise acupoint selection, reliable outcomes, safety, and simplicity, it is particularly suitable for treating immune system disorders and chronic refractory diseases.
4) 'Catgut Embedding Acupuncture' is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy that uses "threads instead of needles." It involves embedding absorbable catgut or biological protein threads into specific acupoints. Through the continuous stimulation of the acupoints by the threads, a long-term therapeutic effect is achieved. This method can be applied for weight loss, body contouring, chronic pain, gynecological diseases, and more, serving as an extension of traditional acupuncture. This technique is more convenient than traditional acupuncture, as the effects can last for approximately one to two weeks, thereby reducing the frequency of medical visits.
5) Professor Ding Lingying, Head Nurse of the Second Oncology Ward Nursing Unit, Associate Chief Nurse, National Backbone Talent in Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing Intravenous Therapy Specialist Nurse of Guangdong Province. Specialized in oncology nursing, chemotherapy care, psychological nursing for cancer patients, biotherapy nursing, minimally invasive and photodynamic therapy nursing, PICC catheterization, Sedinger technique, and related nursing care.
6) Professor Wang Shengxu, a native of Hubei Province, holds a Medical Doctorate and serves as a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University. He is a council member of the China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Vice President of the Guangdong Provincial Acupuncture Association. He is primarily engaged in the teaching of acupuncture and clinical research. As a key member of the national-level teaching team for the integrated Chinese and Western medicine internal medicine program, he has contributed to the development of university-level elite courses and promoted the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) teaching methodology.
7) 'Jin's Three-Needle Therapy' is a clinical acupuncture school developed by Professor Jin Rui, characterized by the selection of three sets of acupoints in each treatment session, from which it derives its name. This therapy employs standardized acupoint prescriptions and needling techniques to form an efficient diagnostic and treatment system, applicable for neurological disorders, motor dysfunction, and ENT conditions.
