TCM effective weapons to defeat coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan
Traditional Chinese medicine played an important role in the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic at the front line in Wuhan.
“Special Chinese herbal soup, acupuncture and TCM exercises became very effective weapons when we served in Wuhan,” said Dr Wang Zhenwei from Shanghai Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine.
Wang was a member of one of the nation’s TCM teams in Wuhan, the former epicenter of the novel coronavirus epidemic. A total of 122 TCM medics from Shanghai’s four TCM hospitals went to Wuhan’s Leishenshan Hospital, a second emergency hospital for coronavirus patients in the city, on February 15. The team was handed two intensive case units with 96 beds.
Wang led the team from Yueyang hospital, which nine doctors and 22 nurses, to take charge of the C7 section of Leishenshan. All 48 beds were full within 2 hours after arrival of the medics.
“We made full use of the combination of Western medicine and TCM during the treatment of coronavirus patients," said Wang. "Each person was treated by individualized therapy for more targeted and precise treatment.
“We modified Yueyang’s own anti-virus herbal soup to develop a Leishen No. 1 prescription. Clinical practice showed very good results. Patients’ symptoms were eased greatly."
Wang and his colleagues also used acupuncture, which targets symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, headaches and stomach discomfort.
“A 56-year-old female patient, who suffered serious headaches for one month, found her symptoms eased after receiving one course of acupuncture and got rid of painkillers completely after five treatments,” Wang said.
“Some patients, who first refused TCM treatment, became fans of our herbal soup and acupuncture after trial.”
Dr Wang Zhenwei and his colleagues conduct acupuncture on a coronavirus patient at Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan.
Doctors also taught patients TCM exercises, which have been widely used in the prevention and control of heart, lung and other diseases.
“The Yueyang exercise is very popular in Leishenshan," Wang said. "Every afternoon, we led patients in the practice. Afterwards they said they felt very comfortable. In addition to easing physical sickness, patients said such exercises also released their psychological pressure and relaxed their anxiety."
Dr Wang Zhenwei and his colleagues from Yueyang Hospital teach patients at Leishenshan Hospital TCM exercises.
