By Zhu Yingliang
This September, with the arrival of the 20th China Medical Team for Malta, the Mediterranean Regional Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine located in Paola, Malta once again gained many ‘Chinese medicine fans’.
From ‘trying Chinese medicine for the first time’ to ‘trusting Chinese medicine’ and finally to ‘promoting Chinese medicine’, Ms. Maria has a different diagnosis and treatment story.
54-year-old Ms. Maria had been suffering from chronic lower back pain. A recent accidental fall caused her sacral pain to suddenly increase, and affected her daily life severely. Ms. Maria went to the Mediterranean Regional Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine for help. Cao Ying, a member of the 20th China Medical Team for Malta and Attending Traditional Chinese Medicine Physician of Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, after detailed consultation and comprehensive check, made a personalized treatment plan which used ‘acupuncture as the main treatment, massage as the auxiliary treatment’ according to Ms. Maria’s long-term chronic pain conditions.
After treatment, Ms. Maria’s back pain has been greatly relieved. When receiving the third treatment, Ms. Maria openly revealed her long-term insomnia to Cao Ying.
Ms. Maria asked Cao Ying whether acupuncture could relieve insomnia symptoms. So, while treating the pain, Cao Ying performed acupuncture ‘incidentally’. Something magical happened. When they met again, Ms. Maria handed Cao Ying a bag of health products. She said happily, ‘now I do not need these any more, acupuncture is sufficient for my sleep now!’
After successfully getting rid of her back pain and insomnia, Ms. Maria developed deep trust and gratitude for Chinese medicine, and she actively promoted the benefits of Chinese medicine to her family.
It is learnt that since the 20th China Medical Team for Malta started to provide outpatient services, more than 1,300 patients have been treated in more than two months. At the same time, 5 special free consultation sessions have been held. Activities have been held in Chinese Embassy in Malta, the Malta National Swimming Pool, local pharmaceutical companies and other enterprises to promote traditional Chinese medicine culture.
