New Delhi: In a small village in Baoying County, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, a man named Li tragically died after receiving acupuncture treatment from a local woman, Wang, who had taught herself the practice through online videos. Last June, Li sought Wangs help, paying 500 yuan (approximately $70), due to her reputation for skill in acupuncture despite having no formal training.Fatal sessionDuring the final session, Li began experiencing severe discomfort. Wang attempted to walk him around to alleviate his symptoms, but he collapsed and lost consciousness. While he was walking, his face suddenly turned black, his legs weakened, and he collapsed on the floor, Zhu Yuting, an assistant prosecutor, explained to the Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation. Despite efforts to save him, Li was pronounced dead at the hospital.An investigation revealed that Wangs acupuncture treatment had exacerbated Lis existing coronary heart disease, leading to acute heart failure. It was uncovered that Wang had no official qualifications and practiced acupuncture illegally, setting up a clinic in her home without a license. Her knowledge was self-taught, acquired from online videos, and practiced on herself and her husband.Forensic report confirms cause of death A forensic report confirmed that Wangs acupuncture was a significant contributing factor to Lis death. Acknowledging her lack of formal training and the serious consequences of her actions, the court sentenced Wang to 18 months in prison with two years probation and imposed a fine. The court considered her compensation to Lis family and their understanding in their judgment.Social media reactionsThe case has stirred widespread outrage on Chinese social media, with many questioning the audacity of practicing acupuncture without proper qualifications. Comments highlighted the recklessness of both Wang and her patients, underscoring the dangers of unlicensed medical practice. “How dare she practice acupuncture without a doctors license One dares to perform acupuncture, and the other dares to let her do it. Terrifying,” one user remarked. Another noted, She killed him. If everyone could learn to treat patients after a few months of self-study, who would bother with exams and formal educationWhat are acupuncture risksAcupuncture, a central practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow or chi. While often used to treat pain, incorrect technique can cause serious harm, particularly if needles are inserted too deeply or in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
