New fusion of TCM and pilates for pain management
First-of-its-kind pilates-TCM treatment launched
If your shoulders are hunched and ache after long days of leaning towards the computer, there may be a new East-meets-West solution to your discomfort.
Eu Yan Sang, the integrative health and wellness company with a unique heritage in Chinese medicine, has partnered local pilates studio Pilates Body Pilot to launch a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sessional clinic.
This is a first-of-its-kind complementary treatment combining pilates and acupuncture, targeting adults prone to pain due to poor posture at work, those who suffer from musculoskeletal pain, menstrual discomfort, weight management issue, and those looking to improve their well-being.
The sessional clinic is held at Pilates Body Pilot every Thursday between 10am to 7pm, and lasts one hour and 45 minutes.
Pilates trains one to develop and use deep core muscles to support the posture, relieving stress on the hips, legs and feet.
Acupuncture promotes the body's healing process.
Pilates Body Pilot founder Christopher Chua, 48, who has been in the fitness line for more than 20 years, told The New Paper: "Each individual discipline is effective by itself, but when combined, the synergy generated outweighs the effectiveness of engaging each discipline separately."
He added: "The combined fusion is more effective because TCM acts as the trigger in rebalancing the body, while pilates comes in to follow through with the change process."
Mr Chua was inspired by one of his clients to push for a fusion treatment.
Her chest tightness was affecting her breathing abilities, and she required the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) repeatedly as a pre-pilates procedure to release the tension.
Desiring to create a more tangible and long-lasting solution, and since EFT works along the energy meridians, he thought TCM acupuncture could "trigger the reaction".
Mr Chua said: "TCM can aid in rebalancing the yin and yang of the body and improve circulation before pilates enters to enhance the change."
According to Eu Yan Sang TCM physician Wong Wen Jun, 31, exercises like pilates are in line with TCM's values of preventive health.
Ms Wong, who has eight years of clinical experience, told TNP: "The first session will start with a TCM consultation to diagnose existing conditions.
"Depending on the diagnosis, treatments may start with pilates first, followed by TCM acupuncture, to amplify the rehabilitative and recovery effects from the pilates treatments."
Mr Chua added: "During the first pilates session, we will evaluate the needs and medical history of the client, with cross-reference to the TCM physician's diagnosis.
"We will then conduct movement screening and teach the client about their body awareness before proceeding to basic pilates exercises."
He said clients who have attended the sessional clinics have benefited when it came to their posture, functional health and weight management, rehabilitated chronic injuries and improved sports performance and overall conditioning.
He said: "As this is a drug-free and holistic approach that embraces metabolic individuality and provides a step-by-step method, clients can achieve repeatable, consistent and successful results."
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