Sat. Aug 15th

There was only one patient today who didn't have lower back pain ...

His hand had been almost completely severed by a falling steel bar 5 months ago and it was re-attached by a surgeon. The stitching was a mess, but he could manipulate it well, with the exception of pressing the tip of his thumb to the other fingers. A rather important motion! He also had very little sensation in the hand. The other students massaged his hand and shoulder and encouraged him that his thumb would get better.

A man who had a prolapsed lumbar vertebra when was young came in for lumbar pain, he got the regular massage plus traction (one student pulling on each foot) while Dr. Xiao pushed down into his lower back (and held one hand under the patient's thigh, for some reason...)

The rest were normal, nothing in particular.