Hongchi Xiao, a 61-year-old proponent of “slapping therapy,” a controversial alternative healing practice also known as paida lajin, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the death of Danielle Carr-Gomm, a 71-year-old diabetic woman who tragically succumbed to her condition after ceasing insulin intake during one of Xiao’s workshops. This is not the first time Xiao has faced legal consequences for his practices; he was previously convicted of manslaughter in Australia following the death of a 6-year-old boy whose parents discontinued his insulin treatment after attending a similar workshop. The recurring pattern of vulnerable individuals abandoning essential medication under Xiao’s influence underscores the dangerous potential of unregulated alternative therapies and raises significant concerns about patient safety.
Xiao’s paida lajin therapy, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine but lacking scientific backing, involves repeated self-slapping to purportedly release “poisonous waste” from the body. While some practitioners claim benefits, critics have long warned of the risks associated with this method, citing common occurrences of bruising and bleeding, and, in extreme cases, death. The Carr-Gomm case starkly illustrates the dangers of substituting unsubstantiated alternative practices for established medical treatments, especially for individuals managing chronic conditions like diabetes. The court’s judgment reflects a growing recognition of the need to hold alternative healers accountable for the consequences of their actions and the potential harm caused by their unsubstantiated claims.
The circumstances surrounding Carr-Gomm’s death are particularly disturbing. Despite her deteriorating condition, characterized by vomiting, weakness, and agonizing pain, no immediate medical intervention was sought. Influenced by Xiao’s teachings, participants at the retreat tragically misinterpreted Carr-Gomm’s symptoms as a “healing crisis,” further delaying crucial medical assistance. This highlights the potential for alternative healing environments to foster a culture of denial and discourage conventional medical intervention, even in life-threatening situations.
Justice Robert Bright, presiding over the case, characterized Xiao as dangerous, emphasizing his awareness of Carr-Gomm’s decision to stop taking insulin and his explicit support for her choice. This conscious disregard for a vulnerable patient’s well-being, coupled with his continued promotion of paida lajin even after Carr-Gomm’s death, underscored the seriousness of his offense. The judge’s remarks further highlighted the lack of remorse demonstrated by Xiao, suggesting a profound disconnect between his actions and their devastating consequences.
Carr-Gomm’s tragic pursuit of a cure for her diabetes, driven by a desire to avoid insulin injections, led her down a dangerous path. While her son Matthew recounted her ongoing search for alternative treatments, the video testimonial she recorded praising Xiao as a “messenger sent by God” underscores the persuasive power of charismatic figures in the alternative healing realm. Her prior experience of becoming seriously ill at another Xiao workshop in Bulgaria, also after ceasing medication, tragically failed to deter her. This underscores the vulnerability of individuals seeking alternative solutions to complex medical conditions and the potential for them to be swayed by unsubstantiated claims.
The case of Hongchi Xiao and the death of Danielle Carr-Gomm serves as a cautionary tale. It highlights the dangers of unregulated alternative therapies, particularly when they lead individuals to abandon essential medical treatment for serious conditions like diabetes. The court’s decision to impose a substantial prison sentence underscores the gravity of disregarding patient safety and promoting practices that lack scientific basis. It also emphasizes the need for greater scrutiny and regulation of the alternative healing industry to protect vulnerable individuals seeking solutions to their health problems. The tragic loss of Danielle Carr-Gomm serves as a stark reminder that replacing established medical treatments with unproven alternative practices can have dire consequences.
