For thousands of years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to treat a range of conditions, from insomnia to stress and even hair loss, with the help of herbal concoctions, acupuncture, and massage therapies like tui na and reflexology.
When you think of TCM, the word “qi” usually comes to mind. Qi refers to the vital life force that travels along the body’s meridian points. If your qi is smooth fl owing, it means you are balanced spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. But if it is blocked, you may suffer imbalances that manifest as ailments.
TCM aims to get to the root of the problem rather than just alleviating the symptoms. Treatments are customised to a person’s constitution, so even if you share the same symptoms, a treatment that works for you may not have the same effect on someone else.
Constitution is also a crucial concept in TCM, and is infl uenced by your metabolism, organ structure and function, stress, ageing, even external factors like the weather. A TCM practitioner will always assess your constitution before prescribing a treatment, and monitor how you next prescription accordingly. It is therefore necessary for you to visit a physician for specifi c and effective customised treatments.
What it is: Loosely translated as “pushpull”,
this massages the acupuncture
points. It unblocks and stimulates qi and
blood flow to reduce fatigue and stress. It
should leave you relaxed yet energised.
Cost: $16-$34 at Eu Yan Sang, and $60-
$140 at Eu Yan Sang Specialist TCM Centres
We tried it! “I let my five-year-old son try it. He really
enjoyed it and seemed calmer after.” – Lim Tsiao Hui,
consumer and lifestyle editor
What it is: Treats respiratory problems
like colds, and neck and back pain. It
also detoxifies and boosts immunity. The
physician places heated glass cups along
your acupressure points, which rejuvenates
and unblocks them to improve your qi.
Cost: $16-$34 at Eu Yan Sang, $20-$40 at Eu Yan Sang
Specialist TCM Centres
We tried it! “Cupping is great for relieving backaches
associated with stress. And it’s painless.” – Wenda Wan,
account manager
What it is: The therapist employs specific
finger techniques to massage your soles,
applying firm pressure to various points
to bring about changes in the body.
Cost: $42.80 for a 40-minute session at
Wan Yang
We tried it! “The massage is ticklish and painful at first,
but relaxing once you get used to it. It helped me sleep
better too.” – Madeline Lin, features writer
What it is: This “scraping” treatment
releases muscle tension, expels wind and
improves blood circulation. A special
scraper is rubbed against your skin from
top to bottom.
Cost: $65 for a 40-minute session
at World of TCM
We tried it! “A Gua Sha session always makes
me feel like I’ve had a good night’s sleep.”
– Sasha Gonzales, contributing editor
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TUI NA
CUPPING
