On January 31st , the third day since Guangdong Team of the National TCM Medical Team formally took over the quarantine ward of Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, 67 in-patients of the two in-patients wards which are in the charge of the Team, including 4 critically patients and 16 severe patients, have been all receiving TCM treatment.

Four diagnostic methods of TCM applied and accurate prescriptions of TCM ensured 

According to the requirements of Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, the National TCM Medical Team first handwrites TCM prescriptions and then transfers the photo of the prescriptions so as to ensure that each patient's prescription medication is accurate. 

The patients practicing Ba Duan Jin

On the night shift of January 31st, two patients in bed 37 and 38 (father-in-law and son-in-law) were in a daze after eating. After communicating with them, the doctor and nurse taught them to practice Ba Duan Jin. After finishing a round of vertical Ba Duan Ji, the patients said, "It's very comfortable after the exercise. The body is warm and the spirit becomes much better."

For those patients who need to stay in bed, doctors and nurses also taught a set of seated Ba Duan Jin. As many patients all want to practice, several skilled patients have been appointed as coaches in the ward and all patients are able to practice Ba Duan Jin together. 

Professor Zou Xu, a disciple of the TCM master Deng Tietao and Director of the Department of Intensive Care Unit of Guangdong Hospital of TCM, said that Ba Duan Jin, a TCM exercise, has a history of more than 800 years and has a synergistic effect on the recovery of vital Qi of patients with chronic diseases, acute diseases and severe diseases. Major characteristics of patients suffering from the Pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus are mainly cold and dampness. The theory of TCM believes that detoxification of dampness could be achieved by producing a little sweat, regulating 

gastrointestinal function, maintaining smooth bowel movements and having a good mental state. Ba Duan Jin can exercise human limbs through eight beautiful movements to achieve the effects of strong fitness and smooth flow of Qi and Blood, and thus to improve the body's Yang and metabolic functions, and enhance its ability to overcome the dampness. Stronger limbs and Yang will do good to the health of heart.  

For patients who need to stay in bed, if their mental state is not bad, they could strengthen bodies by practicing the seated Ba Duan Jin. Professor Zou Xu suggested that patients could practice Ba Duan Jin one hour after taking the medicine; the exercise should be ended while feeling a little bit sweaty and not too tired.