Yao Ming returns to China for TCM treatment

(BEIJING, April 3) -- China's NBA star Yao Ming, who underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot in Houston, flew to China with the hope that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) will accelerate his recovery.

He landed at Beijing's Capital International Airport at 6:20 p.m. on an Air China flight.

The China News Agency reported that he looked great although he had to rely on a crutch.

Yao went through surgery on March 4 in Houston. The basketball player's Chinese doctors were in contact with American medical services over his operation and recovery plans. The two sides later reached an agreement allowing the NBA All-Star center to return to China.

Yao was expected to fly to China in late April, but he had to push his trip up because there is still tumefaction in his left foot.

Chinese medical advisors have denied that Yao's return is based on ineffectual American treatment plans, saying that it is normal to have tumefaction and TCM has its own advantages in post-operation recovery.

Lu Hao, a spokesman from Yao's team, said Yao's return to China will hopefully remove swelling through TCM practices. According to Lu, Yao only has to stay in China for ten days.

The national team manager Bai Xili, who picked Yao up at the airport, said Yao came to China for treatment only and that the Chinese National Basketball Association won't interfere with his plans.