2011-1-19
Ni hao everyone! It was snowing this morning and afternoon in Chengdu. The snow is a drier consistency here, but still manages to melt the second it touches the ground or surface of choice. The locals are VERY excited about the recent snowfall during the past week. There's no actual evidence of snow, but the winter wonderland magic is in the air. One of our instructors informed us that a bunch of people from her apartment complex went outside to "play in the snow" as soon as it began snowing last night. We told her that this is a normal reaction to snow back home as well and she laughed. A professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine here at the university also told a group of us that she has been teaching here for 30 years and this is the first time she has seen it snow here! She wore a smile, carried an umbrella and had definitely been touched by the magic of snow.
Today was our last clinical day in the hospital for this course and consequently the last time we will be "suiting up" in our giant, white lab coats while in China (unless people decide to wear them recreationally or use them as an additional layer in Beijing, which isn't a bad idea). Luckily, these coats were a "li wu" or a gift from the university, so they will be returning home with most of us for your viewing pleasure. Some students had the opportunity to observe and experiment with acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping, while others learned about Tui Na (a form of Chinese massage treatment). Zelynne received a back treatment from a doctor, which involved him walking and jumping on her back (this was captured on video). A few other students, including myself, got to spend the morning in the pediatric Tui Na clinic. We had a blast watching, playing with and holding the adorable Chinese babies that came in for treatment. The pediatric Tui Na massage techniques differed in location and pressure application from adult massage. Babies and children under six years of age received hand, neck, back and abdominal Tui Na treatment based on their presenting symptoms. Some of the babies cried throughout the entire treatment and others looked like they thoroughly enjoyed the massage they received. The common problems they were treated for included digestive issues, weak immune systems and two of the babies had hematomas from birth on their necks. The doctor told us that many of these patients had been receiving treatments three times each week for the past two months. Needless to say, the parents had the routine down.
The focus of our afternoon class was on Tui Na massage techniques. These classes have become favorites for myself and many of my classmates as they are interactive and involve receiving and giving massages using our newly learned Tui Na techniques. Finding a seat in the front near the aisle has proven to be a good strategy for getting to be a model for the doctor demonstrating the techniques. Many of us look forward to practicing our new massage treatment skills on friends, family and significant others. We also plan to teach others these techniques to ensure Tui Na healing reciprocation.
The day concluded with Tai Chi for half of the class and the rest of us had the evening off, so we decided to buy some cupping and moxibustion supplies to show everyone upon our return. Tai Chi members that purchased traditional silk outfits got to practice in them and looked professionally peaceful for their last evening of Tai Chi. The other half of the group has their last practice tomorrow and then we head to Beijing in two days! The high for Beijing today was -10 degrees Celcius...many of us will be wearing all of the layers we brought and purchased in China during the next week (including silk Tai Chi outfits and lab coats) in an attempt to survive the climate change. Please send warm thoughts our way!
Zai Jian,
Kajsa
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