‘TCM is for everyone – regardless of race, age or gender’

GEORGE TOWN: Some 60 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physicians and practitioners from all over the country gathered at a school hall here to provide free consultation.

Held for the second time, the 2019 Free Medication Event organised by Malaysian Natural Healing Association (MNHA) at SJK(C) Shang Wu was meant to create awareness on the benefits of TCM and natural healing treatment.

Among the free treatments were acupuncture, tuina massage, chiropractic adjustment, kinesiology, and muscle and tendon alignment.

Housewife Henna Thor, 56, came for tuina massage to treat her back pain.

She said the event was a good way to introduce TCM to the public, especially a multi-racial country like Malaysia.

“This is one way that the government can promote TCM to the people. I always encourage my friend to try out traditional massage,” she said.

Another visitor, Syed Masuth Sahul Hamid, 67, said this was the first time he sought the assistance of a TCM practitioner for a second opinion on his diabetes.

He would normally go to Penang Hospital every three months for a check-up and treatment.

“I’m here to check out how TCM can help after learning about the event,” he said.

MNHA chief secretary Lai Ee Li said TCM was a good option for patients who wanted a second opinion.

She dismissed the misconception that TCM was only applicable to the Chinese.

“It is available for everyone, regardless of age, gender and race. We even have Malay physicians specialising in TCM,” she said.

TCM was more of prevention and involved a natural healing process, she said, adding that the origins of TCM went back more than 5,000 years.