Four faculty members from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine recently handled a mid-air medical emergency on an overnight Air China flight from Paris to Beijing by applying their TCM expertise.
At around 3 am Beijing time on July 20, the crew put out an urgent call for medical assistance. A Chinese child returning from a performance in France had developed chest pain, alarming accompanying family members.
Four faculty members responded: Wang Ting, vice-president of the university; An Chao, deputy director of the international cooperation department; Chen Younan, associate dean of the school of acupuncture, moxibustion, and tuina; and Zheng Fengjie, dean of the school of traditional Chinese medicine.
They checked the child's blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate, and identified persistent pain over the heart area as the primary symptom. They gave the child oxygen and a TCM pill designed to promote blood circulation and relieve pain, while applying pressure to acupoints including Neiguan (PC6, on the inner forearm) and using massage techniques.
With little room in the cabin, the four took turns kneeling beside the child. The chest pain eased, and the family thanked the team. After the plane landed, the crew arranged for ground medical staff to take over. Later reports said the child's condition was stable.
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