“I feel better. Chinese Medicine is really amazing!” On the morning of February 12th, Nathan Crumpton, a skeleton athlete from American Samoa, received acupuncture treatment at the Yanqing Olympic Village General Clinic in Beijing. He got up and stamped his feet, and was surprised to find that his back no longer hurt and his sore, swollen right leg was soothed. This is the third time that he received TCM treatment at the clinic. He was full of praise for the medical skills of Chen Dongxiao, physician-in-charge of the acupuncture department of the CACMS Wangjing Hospital.  

Nathan Crumpton became popular as a “shirtless flag bearer” at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics held on the evening of February 4. On the morning that day, he went to the clinic to seek acupuncture treatment. It was the first time that Chen Dongxiao saw him.

“His right leg hurt when he first came here,” recalled Chen Dongxiao. Nathan Crumpton  said that he had always believed in traditional Chinese medicine. He felt more relaxed after receiving tuina massage treatment at the clinic yesterday, only that his right leg was still terribly painful. After learning that acupuncture would work wonders quickly, he came here for a try. The handsome and talkative athlete of a muscular build left a deep impression on Chen Dongxiao. “To my surprise, he would become an ‘Internet celebrity’ that night,” said Chen Dongxiao.

Nathan Crumpton nurtured an “Olympic Dream”. He participated in the Tokyo Summer Olympics a few months ago. As he put it, “I’m 36 years old, and my sporting career is coming to an end. However, it is hard and also cool to be able to compete in both summer and winter Olympics during 7 months.” 

He competed in the race on the evening of February 11th. Although he did not win a prize, he fulfilled his “Olympic Dream”. Because he went overdrive during the competition, his right leg became sore again, as well as his back. On the morning of February 12, he went to receive  acupuncture treatment again.

“Chinese Medicine is marvelous! Chinese doctors are great!” Chen Dongxiao was pleased by Nathan Crumpton’s positive comment. He deemed it fulfilling to use his expertise to help an athlete like Nathan Crumpton who has Olympic dream.

Since the medical team members in Wangjing Hospital settled in the Winter Olympic Village from January 17th, they had shown the advantages of TCM by serving the Winter Olympic athletes. They served a lot of athletes every day. 

“Acupuncture and tuina massage are the most popular!” said Wang Yi, the leader of the medical team and deputy chief technician of the Radiology Department of Wangjing Hospital. As Winter Olympic athletes received training and competed at low temperature, they were prone to musculoskeletal pain. Besides, there was a high incidence of gastroenteritis, indigestion, dysmenorrhea, as well as insomnia, anxiety, etc. Acupuncture and tuina massage could produce instant results for treating these diseases, and were widely accepted by athletes around the world.

“Medical service for the Winter Olympics is a political task. We need to exchange ideas and sum up experience in a timely manner, and provide meticulous services, which will demonstrate the style of Chinese medical workers,” said Wang Yi. The 20 medical workers clad in heavy protective gear worked from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Despite the hard work, they were in high spirits while working. They felt proud to see many athletes like Nathan Crumpton who expressed recognition and enthusiasm for Chinese Medicine. 

(Source: Website of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences)

Nathan Crumpton gives thumbs-up for TCM