One Silver Needle Made a Paralyzed MP Stand Again
One silver needle made a paralyzed MP stand again
Three months ago, Dr. Shan Chijun from Shenzhen Hospital, Guangdong Border Defense Corps, was invited by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Fatih to treat his 2-year-paralyzed uncle, Member of Parliament Muhammad Shekup Enshali of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly. Three months later, Muhammad Shekup Enshali miraculously recovered and could stand and walk. Recently, at a welcome ceremony held at Shenzhen Border Defense Hospital, reporters met Dr. Shan Chijun and received a thank-you letter from the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister.
Paralysis After Car Accident
Mr. Muhammad Shekup Enshali, aged 64, became paralyzed below the waist after a car accident two years ago. Despite treatment by renowned doctors in Turkey and Western countries, he remained unable to stand or care for himself. When hope seemed lost, the deputy prime minister recalled “the Eastern miracle”—Chinese acupuncture. In September 2004, he sent an invitation letter through Turkey’s Grand National Assembly, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Protocol, inviting Dr. Shan Chijun for a medical consultation. With strong support from relevant departments, Dr. Shan finally departed on January 13, 2005—the first medical officer from China’s active-duty police medical system to conduct overseas medical consultations.
Three Months of Careful Treatment, Miraculous Recovery
Dr. Shan said upon arrival, Mr. Enshali suffered urinary incontinence, muscle spasms, lower limb edema, left foot strength grade III, and right foot strength grade I (normal is grade V). Dr. Shan immediately devised a treatment plan divided into three stages. Each morning: electro-acupuncture, warming moxibustion, scalp acupuncture; each afternoon: tuina therapy and functional exercises. Each 10-day period constitutes one stage. On day 4 of treatment, the MP’s sensation to temperature and pain improved, and muscle strength noticeably increased.
During the second stage, Dr. Shan added Chinese herbal acupuncture injections and herbal hot compresses. The results were striking: one day, Mr. Enshali stood wobbling in the living room for nearly a minute. Though brief, this unexpected breakthrough thrilled him and the entire family. Early March, the Turkish deputy prime minister’s special envoy traveled thousands of miles to Shenzhen to present a banner inscribed “With Medical Integrity, Practicing Healing Arts” to Shenzhen Border Defense Hospital.
On March 22, encouraged by Dr. Shan, Mr. Enshali took his first truly independent steps after two years. Though shaky and unsteady, it was the long-awaited step. After over two months of meticulous treatment, Mr. Enshali was about to bid farewell to his wheelchair.
Subsequently, Dr. Shan intensified rehabilitation training beyond the original plan. On April 17, when Dr. Shan returned to Shenzhen, Mr. Enshali could joyfully dance in the living room.
Refusing to Stay, Returning Home
Dr. Shan reported that initially, Mr. Enshali objected to acupuncture, saying it felt numb and distended—different from past experiences. Dr. Shan explained that Chinese acupuncture emphasizes the sensation of soreness, numbness, distension, known as “deqi,” essential for therapeutic effect. Gradually, the effects became clearer, and Mr. Enshali cooperated well.
Recently, Dr. Shan received a special invitation: Mr. Enshali invited him to attend his daughter Duyugou’s wedding, expressing deep gratitude for helping him lift a heavy burden. Two years ago, Duyugou vowed: if her father could stand again, she would marry; otherwise, she would never wed.
As Mr. Enshali’s condition improved daily, the reputation of Chinese acupuncture grew rapidly locally. He enthusiastically shared stories of miraculous Chinese acupuncture and Dr. Shan, the Chinese military physician, with everyone he met. Locals came seeking treatment—including a mayor, university students, and corporate executives. But Dr. Shan’s visa expired, preventing long-term stay in Turkey.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Fatih, his uncle, and other officials tried to persuade Dr. Shan to stay, promising Turkish citizenship and assistance in opening a hospital. Dr. Shan politely declined their generous offer and returned to Shenzhen, back home.