| Dit Da | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 跌打 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | fall [and] hit | ||||||||||
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Die da (Chinese:跌打;pinyin:diē dǎ;Jyutping:dit3 daa2;lit. 'fall [and] hit') ordit da is atraditional Chinese medicine discipline used to treat trauma and injuries such as bone fractures, sprains, and bruises. Methods includebone-setting and occasional use of topical preparations such as thedit da jow. Die da originated among martial artists inGuangdong.
Before one learns hitting others, one learns being hit. [Hence] before one learns the martial arts, one learns dit-da.
— Chinese idiom, Qing dynasty[1]
Dit da originated inGuangdong,China, and was usually practiced bymartial artists who knew aspects oftraditional Chinese medicine. Dit da specialists may also use or recommenddit da jow, other Chinese medical therapies, and in modern times, the use of Western medicine if serious injury is involved. Dit da is not commonly practiced in the West,[2] but it is currently practiced inGuangzhou,Hong Kong,Taiwan andSoutheast Asia.[3]
The development of dit-da grew out of study by martial artists inFoshan, the main origin of "Southern-style" Chinese martial arts. This city has supported a rich martial arts tradition ever since the beginning of theMing Dynasty. By the times between the end of theQing Dynasty and the beginning ofRepublic of China rule, Foshan has become a hub of local martial arts activity, being home to numerous competing styles and giving birth to icons such asIp Man andWong Fei-hung. The intense competition also meant that bone and tendon injuries were common, fueling the development of a local form of traumatology.[4]
Among the early practitioners were Li Cai-gan (–1915), who received initial education in TCM traumatology from a monk during his refuge in a small town near Guangzhou. Upon his return to Foshan,[5] Cai-gan developed his version of the dit-da practice under the name gu-shang (Chinese:骨伤;pinyin:gǔ shāng;Jyutping:gwat1 soeng1;lit. 'bone injury').[4]
After Cai-gan's death, his son Li Guang-hai (1894-1972) inherited his practice. Guang-hai would develop several innovations: a principle of "treating trauma by following the hematomas" (治伤从瘀), a collection of eight methods of bone setting, and a range of topical medications in liniment and paste form.[4][6] Most important for the spread of his fame, however, were his charitable contributions. Guang-hai offered free medication and treatment during a severe flood in the 1910s. Later on, he offered free treatment, food, and boarding to patients traveling from neighboring towns. Beginning in 1939, he offered the same treatment for casualties for the local Communist guerrilla.[7] At the founding of the Foshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (FTCMH) in 1956, Guang-hai was named its vice director. He became the director in 1960, was expelled during the Cultural Revolution, then returned to work as an ordinary doctor until his death.[8]
Guang-hai's tenure also resulted in the spread of the study of "gu-shang", leading to several third-generation practitioners. Among them, his son Li Jia-da and his student Chen Wei-liang stayed at FTCMH, while his other son Li Jia-yu established a famous practice in Guangzhou. The two at FTCMH would go on to train Chen Xun-wen, noted for the incorporation of modern diagnostics, biomechanics, and medical imaging in his practice as well as a high paper output.[4]
FENG Liaoxing (1630-1695) was a Foshandit da practitioner. He founded a pharmacy named after himself, which still exists today as a pharmaceutical company.[9]
Foshan traumatological pharmaceutical techniques were added to theintangible cultural heritage list ofFoshan city government in 2015. Two of the listed practitioners were: Chen Xun-wen (Deputy Director, Orthopedic Center, Foshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital; fourth generation), Zou Yun-xuan (Chief Chinese Physician, Department of Orthopedic Traumatology, FTCMH; fifth generation).[6]
Chinese traditional bone-setting therapy (Foshan traumatological bone-setting) was added to theintangible cultural heritage list ofFoshan city government in 2018. Two of the listed practitioners were: Chen Xun-wen (titles as above, fourth generation), He Lilei (Chief Chinese Physician, Department of Orthopedic Traumatology, FTCMH; fifth generation).[4]
FENG Liaoxing's dit da jow formula is standardized in theChinese Pharmacopoeia. The formula is on the intangible cultural heritage list ofGuangdong.[14]
