TCM debate ignites storm of skepticism
By Leeann Li |
June 2, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MEDICAL professionals in northwest China's Gansu Province who claim to have successfully applied the legendary Chinese kung fu to their practices have fallen under a spotlight.
The Health Bureau of Gansu said 41 medical professionals and officials have "opened up" Ren Meridian and Du Meridian, two main jingluo, or energy, channels in traditional Chinese acupuncture theory, after nine days of training.
They felt powerful qi, or energy, running through their bodies, and their diseases were relieved or even cured, according to the bureau website.
Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that Ren Meridian (conception vessel), known as the sea of yin, and Du Meridian (governor vessel), known as the sea of yang, run vertically in the front and back of the body, respectively.
In Chinese kung fu novels, once martial arts or qigong practitioners have these two vessels unblocked, they quickly see dramatic results and become invincible masters.
However, when Gansu health-care authorities appeared to take a page from such novels, they ignited a debate on the Internet as to whether the techniques work. "It's ridiculous," a microblogger said. "If it's true, all of the hospitals will go bankrupt."
The Gansu Health Bureau invited professionals from a qigong research institute founded by a reputedly renowned doctor of traditional medicine, Li Shaobo, to give qigong lessons to medical professionals starting May 12.
The participants were required to keep diets light and sleep at least seven hours a day. Alcohol and cold food was banned, and they had to meditate to open up the two vessels, Lanzhou Morning Post reported.
"When I was about to open up my two channels, I felt my kidneys burning and my brain was filled with boiling water," a middle-aged man told the paper.
Many Internet users, however, were skeptical.
Reacting to widespread skepticism, Liu Weizhong, head of the bureau, insisted that he would try to spread the training to the entire province to help medical staff master the knowledge and methods of traditional medicine, as well as develop it. "To reach my goal, I even dare to sacrifice my political career," he wrote on Weibo.
In a press conference on Thursday, Ministry of Health spokesman Song Shuli backed Liu up, saying China encourages "theoretical exploration and innovation in the practice" of medicine to improve health care.
Song said attaching equal importance to traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine is an important principle for the nation's health authorities.
"TCM is a medical science formed and developed by Chinese people after thousands of years' struggle against diseases, and it has made great contributions to the prosperity of the Chinese nation and world civilization."
Though the Gansu Health Bureau wasn't discouraged by the ministry, its attempt to publicize the qigong courses was stopped by the local industrial and commercial watchdog agency because Li's school didn't have license to hold classes.
Li's institute was registered in 2008 for studying, researching and developing qigong, and was allowed to compile related books. But it was said to charge nearly 2,000 yuan (US$315.4) for qigong lessons without authorization, China National Radio reported.
Authorities said the school has been closed while allegations against it are being investigated.
China has introduced laws and regulations to promote scientific progress in traditional medicine and to improve services. China has signed over 70 agreements with groups in different countries and regions on TCM cooperation, the Health Ministry said.
The Health Bureau of Gansu said 41 medical professionals and officials have "opened up" Ren Meridian and Du Meridian, two main jingluo, or energy, channels in traditional Chinese acupuncture theory, after nine days of training.
They felt powerful qi, or energy, running through their bodies, and their diseases were relieved or even cured, according to the bureau website.
Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that Ren Meridian (conception vessel), known as the sea of yin, and Du Meridian (governor vessel), known as the sea of yang, run vertically in the front and back of the body, respectively.
In Chinese kung fu novels, once martial arts or qigong practitioners have these two vessels unblocked, they quickly see dramatic results and become invincible masters.
However, when Gansu health-care authorities appeared to take a page from such novels, they ignited a debate on the Internet as to whether the techniques work. "It's ridiculous," a microblogger said. "If it's true, all of the hospitals will go bankrupt."
The Gansu Health Bureau invited professionals from a qigong research institute founded by a reputedly renowned doctor of traditional medicine, Li Shaobo, to give qigong lessons to medical professionals starting May 12.
The participants were required to keep diets light and sleep at least seven hours a day. Alcohol and cold food was banned, and they had to meditate to open up the two vessels, Lanzhou Morning Post reported.
"When I was about to open up my two channels, I felt my kidneys burning and my brain was filled with boiling water," a middle-aged man told the paper.
Many Internet users, however, were skeptical.
Reacting to widespread skepticism, Liu Weizhong, head of the bureau, insisted that he would try to spread the training to the entire province to help medical staff master the knowledge and methods of traditional medicine, as well as develop it. "To reach my goal, I even dare to sacrifice my political career," he wrote on Weibo.
In a press conference on Thursday, Ministry of Health spokesman Song Shuli backed Liu up, saying China encourages "theoretical exploration and innovation in the practice" of medicine to improve health care.
Song said attaching equal importance to traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine is an important principle for the nation's health authorities.
"TCM is a medical science formed and developed by Chinese people after thousands of years' struggle against diseases, and it has made great contributions to the prosperity of the Chinese nation and world civilization."
Though the Gansu Health Bureau wasn't discouraged by the ministry, its attempt to publicize the qigong courses was stopped by the local industrial and commercial watchdog agency because Li's school didn't have license to hold classes.
Li's institute was registered in 2008 for studying, researching and developing qigong, and was allowed to compile related books. But it was said to charge nearly 2,000 yuan (US$315.4) for qigong lessons without authorization, China National Radio reported.
Authorities said the school has been closed while allegations against it are being investigated.
China has introduced laws and regulations to promote scientific progress in traditional medicine and to improve services. China has signed over 70 agreements with groups in different countries and regions on TCM cooperation, the Health Ministry said.
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