"Director Qiao, do you experience an unusual heaviness in your lower back every winter?"

"yes!"

"You have a lot of cold and dampness in your body."

I'd like to examine your spine.

Director Qiao slowly turned over, but it was difficult for her to lift her clothes.

Qiu Hai was still crying, so I helped him lift his clothes.

Song Yan rubbed her hands together to warm them, then slowly touched Director Qiao's spine from the sacrum upwards. She also glanced at the X-ray films from time to time.

Director Qiao wasn't just curious about Song Yan; she was very curious. Director Qiao could tell that Song Yan knew how to interpret X-rays. The way she warmed her hands before the examination, though a small gesture, truly demonstrated her professionalism. Her touching of the spine was definitely not random.

I heard she was self-taught. Director Qiao found that hard to believe.

Only CT scans can reveal the condition of soft tissues, which is why CT scans in modern hospitals can diagnose lumbar disc herniation. However, doctors like Dr. Ai can determine the condition of soft tissues simply by looking at the scans and palpating the spine.

I learned this purely out of interest. I've only actually performed treatments once or twice. It's not that I can't heal, but the strength required is too great, which isn't suitable for women. So, Dr. Ai stopped me from doing it.

"Director Qiao, there's a misalignment in the soft tissues between your lumbar vertebrae, coupled with the consecutive surgeries you've had over a long period. Orthopedic surgeries also involve a lot of force, causing excessive stress on your spine. Your pain now is partly due to soft tissue compression of nerves, and partly due to mild tissue edema compressing the nerve roots," Song Yan said, looking at the scans.

"Can you treat me? How long will it take to relieve my pain?" Director Qiao was particularly excited, as he could have the surgery once he was no longer in pain.

I am not qualified to practice medicine.

"I trust you! The professional terminology you used, the way you examined the images, and the way you touched them were all very professional. What do you need? Is it medicinal herbs? I'll have someone prepare them. Go and call Liu Hui over." Director Qiao was so excited that he pulled at his back, which hurt a lot. He directed Qiu Hai to go find someone.

Qiu Hai understood. Song Yan couldn't cure his brother, but he could cure Director Qiao. If Director Qiao recovered, his brother would be saved!

Liu Hui and Head Nurse Yang ran straight in. Many people behind them stood at the door out of politeness.

Head Nurse Yang was still holding her white coat.

Song Yan: "Is this the same one that was prepared for me just now?"

"yes!"

Song Yan took the white coat, put it on, and buttoned it up.

Head Nurse Yang is truly a good nurse; she closed the room door.

"First, administer 250 ml of 20% mannitol solution via rapid intravenous drip. This will prevent local edema, which would be very painful when I perform the repositioning."

Second, reposition the needle first, then perform acupuncture. I need acupuncture needles. I don't have any.

I think we'll know whether the treatment is effective in two hours.

Lie down properly and try to avoid stretching! Still in a prone position. I'll massage you while you receive your IV.

Liu Hui and Head Nurse Yang sprang into action. As they went outside, there was a slight commotion…

Song Yan began to massage Director Qiao.

The mannitol infusion was completed in twenty minutes.

Mannitol is a diuretic; urination will occur quickly after a rapid intravenous infusion.

After waiting for Director Qiao to urinate twice, Song Yan prepared to begin the repositioning process.

Song Yan: "What do you need me to do?" Liu Hui was there the whole time.

"Take off Director Qiao's shirt, expose his sacrum and coccyx, and don't move after repositioning. I need acupuncture."

"Director Qiao, is that alright?"

"I will follow the doctor's orders!"

Song Yan was going to perform a supine repositioning for Director Qiao. Before the repositioning, Song Yan reviewed the X-ray again.

Song Yan grabbed Director Qiao's thighs and pulled and twisted them three times.

Director Qiao was a burly man; the weight of his legs alone was enough for Song Yan to carry, let alone drag. Liu Hui was anxious; could Comrade Song Yan, with his small frame, manage?

When Song Yan released the pressure, his forehead was already sweaty. His stamina was much better than in his previous life. He was tired, but his hands couldn't be so tired as to tremble during acupuncture.

"Director Qiao, slowly turn over. Now you need to lie face down."

Director Qiao slowly turned around. "I feel much better now. I just heard a cracking sound in my spine."

“Acupuncture will be even more effective.” Song Yan quickly inserted the needles.

The acupuncture techniques that Lao Han taught Song Yan are perfect for today.

Song Yan wanted to insert the needles quickly to save time. After inserting the needles, Song Yan massaged Director Qiao's head, and Director Qiao fell asleep shortly afterward.

Song Yan beckoned, and Liu Hui and she quietly went out.

"How is it?" Commander Qiu asked nervously. Everyone outside the door had the same expression: nervous.

Song Yan glanced at his watch. "An hour and a half. I'll wake Director Qiao. Those assistants who are about to go on stage, take this opportunity to rest!"

In addition, arrange for someone to prepare a light and nutritious meal. Director Qiao needs to replenish her energy.

"So it can work?" Commander Qiu excitedly grabbed Song Yan's hand, his voice rising. Song Yan glanced back, wondering if Director Qiao had woken up yet.

Commander Qiu immediately realized he had spoken too loudly, and he lowered his voice, "I'm sorry! I got too excited!"

"There's an 80% chance that Director Qiao will be able to perform surgery..."

Suddenly, Qiu Jiang's mother knelt down in front of Song Yan. She dared not cry out loud, but clutched Song Yan's white coat, tears streaming down her face.

Song Yan leaned down and whispered, "If there's hope, things will move in a positive direction, right? Qiu Jiang's pants are covered in mud and water! Help the nurse clean them for him."

With Song Yan's help, Qiu Jiang's mother stood up, nodding and crying. She had something to do; she could help her son.

Song Yan and the others nodded and turned to enter Director Qiao's ward.

The deputy director had just stepped off the operating table when he immediately organized people to prepare for the next surgery…

Everything is proceeding smoothly.

Song Yan glanced at his watch and removed the hands. He then covered him with the sheet. Director Qiao remained fast asleep; he had even turned over.

An hour and a half later, Song Yan woke Director Qiao up. He instinctively tried to sit up, but Song Yan pressed him down. "Director Qiao, you must move slowly. You can try putting your clothes on and moving around a bit, but do it slowly."

Song Yan went out first. Unexpectedly, Commander Qiu, Deputy Commander Fang, and other people he didn't recognize were all outside the door, judging from their shoulder insignia, they were all of high rank.

"How is it?" Commander Qiu didn't dare to ask; it was another man who asked.

"Director Qiao will be able to answer this question in a moment. Please wait a little longer!" Song Yan replied very cautiously.

Just three minutes later, Director Qiao opened the door and came out. He shook hands with Song Yan first, "Comrade Song Yan, my back has been hurting for several years, and I haven't felt this relaxed since."

"During the surgery, try to minimize standing time and exert as little force as possible. Let others do what they can. You need three days of bed rest," Song Yan instructed Director Qiao, who listened very attentively…

The food is ready, everyone eat immediately. Having enough energy is essential to persevere on the operating table.

Director Qiao invited Song Yan to eat with him, and Song Yan accepted without hesitation; she was hungry.