STORY: British expat tries red-hot needle therapy in China's Guangdong
SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage
DATELINE: July 30, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:43
LOCATION: ZHONGSHAN, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of a TCM-themed night market in Zhongshan
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): Doctor
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
7. SOUNDBITE 6 (English): Doctor
8. various of Joe trying red-hot needle therapy
9. SOUNDBITE 7 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
10. SOUNDBITE 8 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
"Hello everyone. I'm Joe. I'm a big fan of traditional Chinese culture. Last time, I visited Zhongshan Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine. So I'm surprised to hear that there's actually a TCM-themed night market here in Zhongshan. And tonight, I'm coming here to check it out, find out what it's all about, and see what's the offer. So if you'd like to join me, let's go have a look."

This market has a hustling, bustling energy to it, with no short supply of herbs, health teas, available treatment services and products. There's also a friendly, easygoing atmosphere in which you could consult with renowned doctors, get advice on medical issues, and discuss medicine with the locals.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
"Among the many treatments that I've seen at this market, my curiosity has certainly been aroused by Mr. Liu's red-hot needle treatment. Apparently, it can be used to treat anything from rheumatism to back pain and also the effects of a stroke. So I'm really curious about this. I'm gonna have to try this myself."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
"Hello. Doctor."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): Doctor
"What bothers you?"

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
"Well, I have, some back problems. I sometimes get back pain, and sometimes I get pain in my neck as well."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): Doctor
"How long have you been like this?"

The doctors at the Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine told me that red-hot needle therapy has been classified under city-level protection as part of what is known as intangible cultural heritage.

With a special needle, it applies a high heat of 600 to 800 degrees Celsius to the diseased tissue and acupoints in the human body. It's a minimally invasive external treatment, drawing on internal thermal effects. 

SOUNDBITE 7 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
"I can kind of feel my muscles opening up. Thank you very much."

SOUNDBITE 8 (English): JOSEPH BERNARD
"What I find so attractive about Chinese medicine is its emphasis on realignment and kind of unblocking the body's natural energy flow. It's really a healthy and wise tradition. So it's really very beautiful in many ways. I've found a very good experience here tonight."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Zhongshan, China.
(XHTV)