A German student gained attention on Chinese social media for using traditional Chinese medicine techniques to help a woman having a heart attack while mountain climbing. - Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
BEIJING: A German student captured the attention of Chinese social media after employing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques to help a Chinese woman experiencing a heart attack while mountain climbing.
The heartwarming story began when Joel Mikael Walker, 29, better known by his Chinese name Wuming, who boasts over 1.4 million followers on Douyin, was filming a show in the mountains of Dengfeng in central China’s Henan province.
During his descent, a crew member alerted him to a young woman who had collapsed and lost consciousness.
“Knowing I was a doctor, they called me over to check on her,” Wuming told Red Star News.
Wuming acted quickly, and he found her pale and unconscious; after checking her pulse, he suspected she was experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
To provide professional help, Wuming immediately reached out to his mentor, the esteemed TCM practitioner Song Zhaopu, for emergency guidance.
Following Song’s instructions, Wuming applied cold water to the woman’s face and repeatedly tapped her elbow pits until red marks, known as sha in Chinese, appeared.
After more than 20 taps, her pulse returned, and she regained consciousness, becoming able to speak.
Wuming later explained his choice of TCM over CPR, the conventional life-saving technique for cardiac arrests, noting concerns about the patient’s fragile condition.
“The woman was very thin and collapsed on rocky ground. I was worried that performing CPR might break her ribs,” he told Elephant News, adding that TCM emergency techniques were more appropriate in this scenario.
Song further explained that tapping the elbow pit can help unblock meridians, promote qi flow, and enhance blood circulation.
“Similarly, splashing cool water on the face is a traditional method used to revive someone. It stimulates the skin to help restore alertness,” Song added.
Wuming’s interest in TCM began at the age of 11 during his martial arts training at a Shaolin Temple in Germany.
In 2015, he moved to China to study the language at Henan University of Chinese Medicine, advancing into their TCM undergraduate programme, eventually completing a master’s degree in acupuncture.
Currently, he is gaining recognition as an influencer, fondly referred to as “the German Henanese” due to his fluency in the Henan dialect, and also earning the title of “the trendiest Henan local” among Chinese netizens.
Despite this fame, Wuming remains committed to promoting TCM, aspiring to become an ambassador for the practice to help more people benefit from it.
His lifesaving actions have captivated many on Chinese social media.
One online viewer commented: “A foreigner learning TCM and saving a Chinese person. This is truly compassion in action.”
Another praised: “This doctor paid such attention to detail. The patient was so thin, lying on rocky ground. CPR might have been too harsh for her.”
Amid the praise, Wuming responded: “It’s not about my abilities; it’s the wisdom of our ancestors. Simple, effective, and timely traditional Chinese medicine rescue methods are something every Chinese person should learn.” - South China Morning Post
