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IN PHOTO: A patient puts on his clothes after a cupping treatment, a traditional Chinese remedy, at a clinic in Beijing, September 26, 2010. Cupping treatment involves creating negative pressures within glass containers, which are then inverted and placed onto the back of a patient to improve blood circulation and relieve ailments like chills, pain and stiffness, according to doctors at the clinic. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic

A Sydney boy died after attending a workshop on “slap therapy.” Detectives started investigating after diabetic Aidan Fenton, 7, had been taken off insulin and “treated” by a self-proclaimed Chinese healer.

The Fenton family spent $1800 for a week on a workshop on alternative Chinese medicine at the Tasly Healthpac Centre in Hurstville. Hongchi Xiao, an advocate of the use of slapping therapy to leave patients bruised while “curing” their illnesses, conducted the workshop little Aidan took part in.

When the little boy died, police talked to Xiao. The officers have been trying to find out if it was Xiao who asked the family to take the child off insulin so that he could apply alternative therapy on him. Detective took statements from witnesses while the Homicide Squad was notified of the death. The Chinese therapist has left Australia after he was questioned. The investigation is now being carried out by local police from St George local area command.

People who take part in Xiao’s workshops are asked to fast for three days. Thereafter, they carry out stretching and slapping exercises that cause “healing crisis.” People suffer dizzy spells and start vomiting during the process.

According to Xiao, little Adian looked fine during the workshop. He said that the child had eaten rice. Adian apparently became sick after Xiao had gone for his dinner. The child also vomited during the seminar. Paramedics and police were called to Hurstville Ritz Hotel at 9 p.m. when the child had been found unconscious. The child was staying with his parent in the hotel.

According to hotel staff, they heard screams coming from the room where the family was staying. When they rushed for help, they found the child in bed. His heart stopped beating while he was on his way to the hospital.

Xiao was in Sydney after he had a tour of New Zealand. He promoted his “Paida-Lajin” therapy. The alternative Chinese therapy unblocks “meridians” and drives out “poisons” from a body through slapping. Xiao, who has travelled all over the planet for his seminars, has also written a number of books on the topic.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au

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