'fall [and] hit') or dit da is a traditional Chinese medicine discipline used to treat trauma and injuries such as bone fractures, sprains, and bruises.
By the times between the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of Republic of China rule, Foshan has become a hub of local martial arts activity, being home to numerous competing styles and giving birth to icons such as Ip Man and Wong Fei-hung.
[4] Among the early practitioners were Li Cai-gan (–1915), who received initial education in TCM traumatology from a monk during his refuge in a small town near Guangzhou.
Upon his return to Foshan,[5] Cai-gan developed his version of the dit-da practice under the name gu-shang (Chinese: 骨伤; pinyin: gǔ shāng; Jyutping: gwat1 soeng1; lit.
Guang-hai would develop several innovations: a principle of "treating trauma by following the hematomas" (治伤从瘀), a collection of eight methods of bone setting, and a range of topical medications in liniment and paste form.
The two at FTCMH would go on to train Chen Xun-wen, noted for the incorporation of modern diagnostics, biomechanics, and medical imaging in his practice as well as a high paper output.