Penetrating injuries of the sole of the foot are common conditions for which patients seek emergency department care each year. Many of these injuries become extremely complicated due to the retention of various foreign bodies in the soft tissues of the sole of the foot. A small portion of puncture wounds will become infected and may lead to complications such as osteomyelitis, osteochondritis, and soft tissue abscesses. The injury caused by the retention of tiny metallic foreign bodies in the superficial layer of the sole of the foot is even more special. We report a case in which, due to the retention of a foreign body in the stratum corneum of the sole of the foot, the patient experienced pain in the sole of the foot. The symptoms persisted for two weeks, resembling "plantar fasciitis." This patient did not go to the hospital. Instead, the patient accidentally discovered the foreign body by himself and removed it. After the foreign body was removed, the pain disappeared.

In contemporary society, there is a prevailing view that traditional practices such as shoulder-carrying are archaic, yet it becomes evident that the abandonment of these traditions has left modern populations ill-prepared for self-rescue efforts. Historically, Chinese individuals were accustomed to carrying heavy loads with tools like hoes and shoulder poles throughout their lifetimes, demonstrating remarkable physical endurance. Today, many lack this capability, leading to a surge in spine and back issues among the youth who cannot carry weights or perform strenuous tasks without mechanical assistance or reliance on older generations. This dependency highlights the importance of preserving and valuing traditional burden-bearing skills. Furthermore, as humanity embarks on its journey to conquer the solar system, aiming to return to the Moon and eventually settle Mars, the selection of suitable candidates for Mars colonies becomes paramount. The author posits that the inheritors of China's agricultural society's shoulder-carrying tradition represent an ideal choice for Mars pioneers. These individuals possess not only a resilient spinal column but also an unyielding capacity for burden bearing and survival, coupled with strong disease resistance, self-healing capabilities, and a penchant for construction and agriculture. Their robust fertility rates further contribute to the sustainability of future settlements. The author underscores the potential value of reviving and recognizing traditional Chinese shoulder-carrying culture as we look towards settling new frontiers.

This study presents an anthropological and mechanical analysis that unravels the mystery behind the resilience of the Chinese load-bearing spine, particularly in elderly individuals who seemingly defy physical limitations to carry heavy burdens. A case study of a frail elderly shoulder-bearer, who despite suffering from sudden lumbar spondylosis, was effectively treated without losing his capacity to bear loads or perform labor, serves as a focal point. This treatment success, along with associated images suggestive of humpback deformity, encapsulates the deep-rooted tradition of shoulder carrying in China, which has persisted for millennia. Historical literature and photographs, coupled with firsthand observations of contemporary shoulder-carrying practices, offer valuable insights into this traditional practice. However, a significant knowledge gap exists concerning the divergence between Eastern and Western traditions related to load-bearing, which, if not addressed promptly, may relegate this cultural aspect to the status of archaeological and intangible cultural heritage. The research underscores the urgency of preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage of Chinese shoulder carrying. Not only does it contribute to national identity, but it also carries broader implications for spinal health on a global scale. By highlighting the importance of this cultural practice, the paper aims to foster greater recognition within the international scientific community of the significance of the Chinese shoulder-carrying culture. Through a blend of social medicine, participant observation, and human bowstring mechanics anatomical system studies, this research bridges anthropology, biomechanics, and cultural studies. It provides a platform for understanding human adaptability and the influence of cultural factors on physical capabilities. Conclusion: This is a typical case of a traditional spine that has been affected by the Chinese shoulder-carrying culture, which still retains its load-bearing capacity even after suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis with intervertebral disc protrusion. Therefore, it is crucial to protect the Chinese load-bearing spine in the traditional Chinese shoulder-carrying culture, and the Chinese load-bearing method is an effective way to counteract spinal recoil and prevent spinal disorders. This approach is scientifically sound and offers numerous benefits.

[Objective] China is currently facing critical social issues such as an aging population, the loss of Chinese agricultural workers and urban load-bearing laborers, the prevalence of lumbar spondylosis among the youth, and other serious crises. To comprehend and address these problems, an investigation of the facts and historical context is necessary. This study explores ancient and contemporary perspectives, spanning a timeline of 5000 years. Additionally, it employs social medicine for the first time to examine the correlation between social factors and health. The objective is to analyze the contemporary social issues in China and propose the latest personal views and solutions.[Methods] Over a span of six years, the author conducted a study on “Chinese shoulder-carrying culture and the formation of the traditional spine” from the standpoint of social medicine. The findings revealed that “Chinese shoulder-carrying culture can strengthen the body and prevent lumbar spondylosis.” Subsequently, the author applied the “biology-psychology-social medicine” model to address China’s current social problems. This involved comparing different generations horizontally and vertically, employing methods such as historical review, on-site investigation, logical analysis, observation, literature review, interviews, comparisons, and dialectics. The author also examined the perspectives of Chinese scholars and experts regarding “the aging of Chinese agricultural workers and urban load-bearing laborers” and analyzed the social factors contributing to this issue, along with potential countermeasures. The recent surge in social problems is closely related to the disappearance of Chinese shoulder-carrying culture, indicating a causal relationship.[Results] Prior to 1980, Chinese society strongly embraced shoulder-carrying culture. However, after 1980, the influence of this culture diminished. Consequently, the first-generation Chinese migrant workers developed shoulder-carrying skills and engaged in load-bearing work, both in urban and rural areas. In contrast, the second-generation Chinese migrant workers born after 1980 (referred to as the new-generation migrant workers) gradually moved away from agricultural activities. Physical examinations reveal that elderly individuals who have been accustomed to shoulder-carrying possess distinct body structures, particularly in their spines, which contribute to significantly better physical health compared to modern individuals who do not engage in shoulder-carrying. Over the past 40 years, none of the descendants of the Chinese population have actively embraced practical shoulder-carrying exercises and weight training, leading to the inevitable emergence of the “elderly agriculture” phenomenon with distinct Chinese characteristics in recent times.[Conclusion] Hence, it is imperative for China to foster the next generation of agricultural workers and urban load-bearing laborers. Modern science should reassess the significance of Chinese shoulder-carrying culture and its impact on the traditional spine. Moreover, it is crucial to correct the public’s misconception regarding “Chinese shoulder-carrying culture and the traditional spine” and acknowledge the fundamental distinction between labor and sports, as well as the importance of spinal stability. China should undertake appropriate measures to revive the traditional practice of shoulder-carrying work, with the aim of cultivating young successors capable of shouldering heavy loads and engaging in physically demanding work. This approach will not only strengthen their bodies and prevent lumbar spondylosis but also alleviate mental disorders, contributing to a healthier China. Restoring the traditional shoulder-carrying culture is of utmost significance for the survival and profound rejuvenation of our Chinese nation, as it addresses a range of critical social issues. Consequently, it becomes essential to innovate in both theory and practice to effectively integrate “shoulder-carrying labor” into the daily lives of people, emphasizing the importance of rural and urban community development in the new era and labor education within schools.

Over the past six years, the author has been exposed to 100,000 spines while working at the medical examination center. While studying the prevalence among young people of lumbar spondylosis worldwide and in China, the authors recently proposed two new concepts of Chinese traditional shoulder-carrying culture and traditional Chinese spine [1]. Previously, modern medicine had only the term “normal lumbar spine” without any distinction between oriental and western ones. The normal lumbar spine, considered the world standard, is essentially a centuries-old study based on the Western spine, and thus is called the western spine by the author. The western spine is also a new concept proposed by the author to distinguish the traditional Chinese spine, which has not yet been recognized by the global academic community. Therefore, these terms have never appeared in any literature or textbook before. In this study, the author described how these Chinese people with traditional Chinese spines were identified, their physical examination, x-ray imaging findings, and two-year follow-up outcomes. The author concludes that for thousands of years, the traditional Chinese spine has been famous for carrying heavy objects while having few lumbar spondyloses; this kind of “Chinese load-bearing bow of spine” has gradually disappeared with the Chinese shoulder-carrying culture. In spinal mobility tests at physical examinations, this traditional spine showed poor mobility and good stability. In terms of the vertebra of the normal lumbar spine, there is no difference in the number of vertebrae, but there are differences in four curvatures. Imaging shows inward transversus abdominis, with the spine closely connected to the anterior abdominal cavity. This X-ray film bridges the gap in the global research on the spine, representing the difference between the traditional Chinese spine and the modern normal lumbar spine, and also the difference in appearance, size, and movement of the traditional Chinese shoulder-carrying people from the West ones. Of course, two cases are not enough. Hope that more traditional Chinese spines can be found, studied, and reported. It is essential to conduct research on how to restore and cultivate the “Chinese load-bearing bow of spine”. The research will facilitate addressing the global prevalence of lumbar spondylosis, provide a different approach to the prevention and treatment of lumbar spondylosis, and affect spinal health for future generations.

Over the past six years, the author contacted approximately 100,000 people. Also, the author visited shoulder-bearers in the streets, alleys, and fields to investigate and discuss lumbar spine-related issues. For this reason, the author focused on exploring the differences between the Oriental and Western spines, and the difference between Oriental labor and western sports. Based on personal opinions, speculations, and reflection from years of research on the traditional Oriental shoulder-carrying culture, the traditional Chinese spine, and my own experience, the result seems to be that the modern medical community has little or no knowledge of the Oriental spine. Later, with the disappearance of the shoulder-carrying culture, the benign signs of the spine without traditional shoulder-carrying exercises can only be reflected after a certain period, and they live a life similar to those in the West. This spine is actually a standard westernized spine. Conclusion: our country should re-study the traditional spine of the Chinese nation, and restore the traditional manual labor, especially the traditional shouldering culture is very important for the survival and great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, also for all the people in the world, with respect to human health, civilization, and generations. The relationship between human health and civilizational impact is obvious, also in terms of generations.