UNAIR NEWS – Lecturers and students of Traditional Medicine (Battra) Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) have just attended an international workshop at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
The workshop, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Workshop, was initiated by the Kong Zi Institute, University of Malaya and was a collaborative program with various international academics and practitioners. At the workshop, UNAIR lecturer Maya Septriana SSi Apt MSi was also a speaker from practitioners.
Introducing acupressure technique
On that occasion, Maya delivered material on traditional medicine treatment using the acupressure method. Acupressure is a type of Chinese medicine by massaging certain points on the body.
In Indonesia, the use of acupressure can treat several types of diseases, such as dizziness, constipation, and insomnia. Moreover, acupressure can also be an alternative therapy to improve immunity and stamina.
“The use of this method of treatment with acupressure can treat common diseases such as dizziness, constipation, insomnia, improve immunity and stamina. For stamina, for example, the hegu point, which is between the base of the thumb and forefinger,” explained Maya.
Even though it can be applied at any time, special conditions must be considered before acupressure treatment, for example, the syndrome condition of the disease. This condition will later determine the technique to be used, sedation and tonification.
“Before treating the disease, we must first know the syndrome. If the condition is weak, then tonification (strengthened) is used. If it is excessive, sedation is used,” she added.
Valuable experience
The workshop, which presented world traditional healers, also involved students from various universities in Asia, including UNAIR. Some Battra students also attended the activity, including Maudy. Maudy admitted that she gained valuable experience in the workshop. Furthermore, she also had the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas with traditional healers worldwide.
“We can gain new knowledge and add new perspectives on traditional medicine. We can also share about traditional medicine in Indonesia such as traditional massage, kerokan and how to apply them, and how to combine them with traditional Chinese medicine,” said Maudy.
Maudy hoped that the workshop could help students improve their understanding of the latest practices in TCM. She also hoped that this activity would be an opportunity for Battra UNAIR students to expand international relations and networks in Traditional Medicine.
Meanwhile, Maya, as a practitioner and educator, hoped the workshop could open other future collaborative programs. They will lead to innovative ideas in the field of Traditional Medicine and solutions to global health issues.
“I hope that this collaboration will produce innovative ideas and solutions for global challenges, and hopefully, this workshop will be the first step towards sustainable collaboration in the future,” concluded the Head of UNAIR Traditional Medicine Study Program. (*)
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
