Science and biology Form 4 students at St Margaret College Senior Secondary School Verdala, Cospicua, were recently given a special lecture about the benefits and practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

The lecture, delivered by Dr Duan Jiming (known as Dr Sam), director of the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine at Corradino, was the latest in a series of events orga­nised by the students’ senior science teacher, Martin Azzopardi, to see applied science in a practical way.

Dr Sam said TCM is a type of holistic, natural healthcare system that originated around the year 200 BC. “TCM is both holistic and natural because it stimulates the healing mechanisms of the body and takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life,” he said. Dr Sam added that while TCM treatments focus on organs like the kidneys, heart, spleen, liver, lung, gallbladder, small intestine and large intestine, he said TCM views the body as a complex network of interconnected parts and not a system of separate organs.

TCM can be used to treat a wide range of health problems, including chronic pain and arthritis

Dr Sam said that TCM can be used to treat a wide range of health problems including chronic pain, arthritis, fatigue, infertility, liver disease, headaches, indigestion, hormonal imbalances, high blood pressure, premenstrual syndrome or menopause symptoms. It consists of different therapies, including acupuncture, which aims to help lower pain, improve hormonal balance and combat stress; cupping therapy, which is used for pain management, improving immunity and helping with digestion; herbal medicine, which is used to control inflammation, fight body damage and boost liver function; nutrition, which aims to prevent deficiencies, boosting energy and improving detoxification; exercise, including Qi gong or tai chi to promote flexibility, strength and concentration; massage, which aims to soften the body tissue to improve the blood flow, one of which is called ‘tui na’; and moxibustion, which involves burning a particular herb near the skin.

During the lecture, Dr Sam also gave the students demonstrations in the use of sterile needles, cupping and moxa.

The authors are students at St Margaret College’s Senior Secondary School, Verdala, Cospicua.

Dr Duan Jiming giving the students demonstrations in the use of sterile needles, cupping and moxa.Dr Duan Jiming giving the students demonstrations in the use of sterile needles, cupping and moxa.

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