Everything you'd want to know about TCM medication, treatments, and visiting our clinic.
Not all the time — TCM herbs vary in taste from bitter, spicy, sour to sweet. Usually nourishing prescriptions (for immunity/digestion) are sweet and mild in taste, so we rarely see children complaining about its taste. However, prescriptions for inflammatory conditions (fever/flu/eczema) do taste stronger, but are only required for a shorter course.
Contrary to traditional ways of preparing herbal medicines, our clinic uses modern herbal powder produced from herbal extracts. In its concentrated form, herbal powder is prescribed in smaller amounts (even smaller for child dosages), and can be prepared for consumption with just 10–15ml of water. Your child should be able to finish one dose in one mouthful!
The standard way to take the medicine is by dissolving in sufficient amounts of water, adjusting to taste and volume preferences. You can feed it to your child using a syringe, straw, or spoon according to your child's playful preferences. We also encourage mixing in some honey/juice/Ribena/Milo for taste. Some parents also adopt creative ways such as making homemade jellies using the powder.
The powder does leave some residue even after dissolving, and the powdery texture of the suspension might be unpleasant for some children. You can let the mixture settle down before draining out the clear solution, which will be much better in taste and texture. The medicine will still be 90% effective so no need to worry!
If your child's medication is prescribed based on his/her constitution, it should not have any negative effects. Most herbs we prescribe for children are food-based with minimal to none toxicity, so it will be safe to take even for long periods of time. Prescription dosages are also carefully adjusted based on the child's age and body weight.
Our clinic uses modern herbal powder produced from herbal extracts. You can simply add water, dissolve, and drink! No need for long hours of boiling anymore!
One course of treatment is usually 3 months for chronic conditions, so the length of treatment depends on how well you respond to the medicine. As your condition improves, we can reduce the dosage gradually so you can eventually stop the medicine without worrying about your condition recurring.
This is a common occurrence as Singapore weather is very humid. The powder clumps up as it absorbs water from the environment. We advise keeping your medicine properly sealed up and stored in the fridge if kept for 2 weeks or longer. For powder that has hardened, you still can take it if it's still able to dissolve in water.
We acquire our medicine with 1–2 years of expiry period. With proper storage conditions, you should be able to keep it for 6 months at least.
Yes, you can take TCM medicine together with western meds, keeping 1–2 hour gaps in between. Our physicians are also experienced enough to adjust your TCM prescription based on your current medication regimen.
TCM can help for a variety of conditions such as:
Our clinic provides cupping, acupuncture, therapeutic adjustment, medicinal plasters and herbal medication for pain management. Our physicians will assess your condition first to determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition.
Fracture usually requires immobilization and casting as advised by western doctors. TCM can complement recovery through acupuncture, medication plasters and herbal medication for reducing swelling and inflammation, and improving circulation to support localised healing.
Come with questions! Bring along any medical reports related to your condition. Please also come in suitable attire, but do not worry if you are unable to — we will be able to provide you with a change of clothes.
A treatment session should last about 1hr to 1.5hr, including consultation, treatment and post-treatment rehabilitation.
Yes! Soreness after acupuncture and cupping is totally normal due to stimulation from these treatments. It should subside after half to one day.
TCM treatments such as pediatric massage and herbal medication can help to boost your child's immunity, reducing symptom recurrence.
TCM can help to improve your child's lung function, reduce the frequency of upper respiratory infections and asthma attacks.
Whilst TCM treatment can help manage childhood asthma, it cannot replace conventional asthma medication such as your inhaler. Please follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and frequency of your medication.
TCM treatments such as pediatric massage and herbal medication can help to boost your child's appetite either through directly improving appetite (开胃) or improving digestion so the child feels hungry more easily.
TCM treatments such as pediatric massage and herbal medication can help to directly improve intestinal movement so that children feel more urge to poop, and also improve digestion so their poop is less dry/sticky and is able to be passed out more easily.
Yes, if your child is eating normally but not growing as well as expected, it may be because they are not digesting and absorbing properly. Other reasons that affect growth could be chronic conditions such as allergic conditions or frequently falling sick. TCM treatments such as pediatric massage and herbal medication can help to improve digestion and absorption, also helping to boost immunity so the body is primed for growth.
TCM treatments such as herbal medication, pediatric massage and ear seeding can help for both physical and mental growth delay.
TCM treatments such as herbal medication, pediatric massage and ear seeding can help with emotional regulation and learning, complementing speech and occupational therapy effects.
No, while TCM enhances learning efficiency, it does not provide the actual educational content.
Before Western treatment, TCM helps to strengthen and prepare the body for the treatment. During Western treatment, TCM helps to delay or reduce the side-effects of Western treatment. After Western treatment, TCM helps the body to recover.
Current clinical evidence has not demonstrated that appropriately prescribed TCM medicine reduces the efficacy of Western cancer treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy) when used concurrently.
A 5-year remission is a major milestone, as the risk of recurrence for many cancer types drops significantly over time. As such, we usually encourage cancer patients to take TCM medicine for at least 5 years.
Yes, depending on your insurance coverage — usually corporate insurance or personal accident plan — you should be able to claim your medical bills. Most insurance claims require a medical diagnosis and itemised receipts. On some occasions that a medical memo is required, we can provide it as well.
We are not affiliated with any insurance company. However, we are a recognised clinic by most insurance companies for claims under policies that cover TCM (corporate/personal accident policies).
Currently, the Ministry of Health (MOH) restricts CHAS to medical and dental care at General Practitioner (GP) clinics, hence we are unable to accept CHAS cards in our clinic.
Our team is happy to help with anything not covered here.
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