A German student’s quick thinking and use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques during a mountain-climbing emergency have gained widespread attention on Chinese social media.
Joel Mikael Walker, 29, also known as Wuming in China, has garnered a significant following on Douyin, where he is admired by over 1.4 million fans. The incident occurred while he was filming a show in the mountainous region of Dengfeng, located in central China’s Henan province.
As Wuming descended the mountain, a crew member urgently informed him of a young woman who had collapsed and was unconscious.
“They called for my help knowing I was a doctor,” Wuming told Red Star News.
Arriving at the scene, he found the woman pale and unresponsive. After checking her pulse, Wuming suspected she was suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. Seeking immediate guidance, he contacted his mentor, renowned TCM practitioner Song Zhaopu, for advice on how to proceed.
Following Song’s recommendations, Wuming applied cool water to the woman’s face and repeatedly tapped her elbow pits until red marks, referred to as sha in TCM, appeared. After more than 20 taps, the woman’s pulse returned, and she regained consciousness, eventually able to speak.
Wuming later explained his decision to use TCM techniques instead of conventional CPR. “The woman was very thin and collapsed on hard, rocky ground. I worried that performing CPR could break her ribs,” he shared with Elephant News. He believed that TCM methods were a safer alternative given her fragile condition.
Song elaborated on the techniques Wuming used, explaining that tapping the elbow pits helps unblock meridians, promote the flow of qi, and improve blood circulation. Splashing cold water on the face, a traditional revival method, stimulates the skin to restore alertness, he added.
Wuming’s fascination with TCM began at age 11, during his martial arts training at a Shaolin Temple in Germany. His interest deepened over time, leading him to move to China in 2015 to study at the Henan University of Chinese Medicine. He eventually completed both an undergraduate degree and a master’s in acupuncture. Now, Wuming is not only a practitioner but also a social media influencer. Known for his fluency in the Henan dialect, he has earned nicknames like “the German Henanese” and “the trendiest Henan local” from Chinese netizens.
Despite his growing fame, Wuming remains deeply committed to TCM and aspires to spread its benefits globally.
The dramatic rescue has earned him widespread praise on Chinese social media. One commenter remarked, “A foreigner learning TCM and saving a Chinese person—it’s true compassion in action.” Another added, “This doctor’s careful approach shows his thoughtfulness. Considering the patient was so thin and lying on rocky ground, CPR might have caused further harm.”
In response to the attention, Wuming humbly stated, “It’s not about my skills—it’s about the wisdom of our ancestors. Simple, effective, and timely TCM techniques are something every Chinese person should know.”
