Tsuen Wan TCM Clinic's Spleen-Health Sign Goes Viral After HYROX Incontinence Incident
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A Tsuen Wan Chinese medicine clinic has sparked online discussion by posting a prominent sign advising athletes to strengthen their spleen and eliminate dampness before endurance sports to prevent diarrhea. The timing follows a controversial incident at a Beijing HYROX race where Australian world record holder Joanna Wietrzyk suffered acute incontinence mid-competition. Registered Chinese medicine practitioner Ip Ho-yin explains that spleen function is indeed closely linked to athletic performance.
Key Points
- The yellow-and-black sign at the clinic reads "Before endurance exercise, strengthen your spleen and eliminate dampness—guard against diarrhea," posted days after the Beijing HYROX scandal
- At the Beijing HYROX event, Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk experienced acute incontinence during the elite women's race, contaminating the track and equipment
- Wietrzyk finished the race in approximately 1 hour 1 minute and won the women's elite division despite the incident
- Practitioner Ip Ho-yin notes that during exercise, blood flow redirects to limbs, reducing intestinal blood supply and potentially causing gastrointestinal distress
- A gastroenterology specialist outlines four reasons soy milk may trigger diarrhea, including undigested trypsin inhibitors and soy allergies
Why It Matters
The incident has brought renewed attention to the intersection of traditional Chinese medicine principles and modern competitive sports, with Hong Kong residents now more aware of pre-race dietary and health preparation . Healthcare professionals emphasize that proper spleen care and dietary choices before endurance events can significantly reduce the risk of embarrassing and disruptive gastrointestinal complications .
The incident has brought renewed attention to the intersection of traditional Chinese medicine principles and modern competitive sports, with Hong Kong residents now more aware of pre-race dietary and health preparation . Healthcare professionals emphasize that proper spleen care and dietary choices before endurance events can significantly reduce the risk of embarrassing and disruptive gastrointestinal complications .