A Czech woman experiences tuina, or traditional Chinese massage. [Photo/IC]

The 2025 China-Czech International Health Exchange kicked off in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on May 7, with dozens of doctors and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) enthusiasts from the Czech Republic immersing themselves in hands-on experiences and cultural exchange.

Hosted at the Hangzhou Integrative Medicine Hospital, the program welcomed 20 TCM students from the Czech-based Wuxing TCM College. Over the course of their visit, the students observed clinical practices and engaged with therapies such as acupuncture, cupping, tuina (massage), and bone-setting.

Among them was Ondrej, a fitness trainer who found himself especially drawn to tuina techniques. After personally experiencing a session, he noted, "Muscle soreness is common in fitness, and tuina really helps relieve it. It's effective and fascinating."

Jan Sterk, another participant deeply interested in Chinese healing traditions, praised the holistic approach of TCM: "It not only improves physical health but also brings comfort to the mind. It's truly remarkable. I hope to master these techniques so that I can better care for my patients in the future."

The exchange serves as a bridge between cultures, fostering greater international understanding and appreciation of China's traditional medical practices.

A Czech visitor experiences acupuncture. [Photo/IC]