Published on The Jakarta Post, 9/26/2004
Feature News, Sunday, September 26, 2004
Elvera N. Makki, Contributor, Jakarta
At a glance, tuina might look similar to ordinary massage but it should never be taken as merely a fun rubdown. The Chinese consider it serious business for health, and it's now available in Jakarta.
You may be bemused by the term "hand-manipulation" the same way I was when I first heard of tuina, an ancient Chinese healing method developed about 2,000 years ago.
But, whatever you do, don't call it massage.
Generally, tuina -- from tui meaning pressing and grabbing and na for grasping -- can be defined as a series of pressing, tapping and kneading movements to remove blockages along the meridian system of the body. This stimulates the Qi (chi) energy flow and blood to promote healing of disorders related to the bone and nerve system, like osteo-arthritis, specific musculoskeletal disorders, insomnia, migraine, cervical vertebrae and orthopedics.
Tuina technique, which can be painful for some people, varies from light stroking to deep-tissue work. It often looks similar to ordinary massage but it should never be considered a fun, relaxing massage.
"That is why they (the practitioners) tend not to call it massage, especially in Indonesia where massage is mostly associated with the pamper yourself kind of thing," said Fenny, a Chinese-Indonesian woman whose father often travels to Beijing for tuina treatment.
He is one of many ethnic Chinese here who still travel to China for traditional Chinese medicine, including tuina, even though there are many shin-se (traditional Chinese health practitioners) in Jakarta.
"We sometimes question the quality of shin-se here although they claim, for example, to be certified acupuncture practitioners," Fenny said. "We also don't know the quality of the medicine, whether it comes directly from China or is artificially made in Jakarta."
In China, there are formal schools of traditional Chinese medicine where graduates are given the title OMD -- Oriental Medical Doctor, formally on par with MD.
Yet perhaps Fenny and her father can think again about going abroad, as Beijing Tong Ren Tang Indo (BTRTI), a franchise of China's Beijing Tong Ren Tang, established in 1669, opened here in June.
The Beijing Chinese medicine hall is well known for its unique traditional recipes to produce the best medicine using high quality materials and advanced technology, as well as exporting raw and processed materials.
When visiting the clinic, one is immediately struck by the strong Chinese atmosphere, including the aroma of herbs. The left side houses a spacious traditional pharmacy where there are approximately 500 types of natural medicines -- all imported from Beijing -- stored in hundreds of wooden-made drawers.
The pharmacists mix and dispense raw materials in a traditional way, based on prescriptions written in Mandarin from a medical practitioner.
"We do not sell the natural herbs without a prescription from a doctor or outside shin-se. We are very particular on that, it is not just an ordinary clinic but similar to Western clinics." said general manager Liem Sian Tie.
It's only been open a couple of months, but already a steady stream of patients has come for treatment, he added.
"At first I came here because I couldn't move my hand as I had fallen at home two years ago. I went to Singapore and other places with no result, but after three tuina treatments at this place, my hand is back to normal," said 64-year-old Wien, a frequent patient, adding that the treatment was painful but worked effectively.
Liem said the company hired Chinese medicine doctors, with more than 30 years of experience in the field, with Dr. Song Sheng Yuan as the tuina specialist.
Dr. Song has 35 years of experience in clinical treatment, combining Tiongkok and Western medication. He worked at prominent hospitals in Beijing before coming to Jakarta.
"Excellent!" said Wien of Dr. Song's treatment.
But since Dr. Song cannot speak English or Indonesian, France Chandra, a young Indonesian Chinese medicine graduate who is the clinic's operations manager, or Liem himself acts as translator.
Are there any side effects to the treatment?
"Treatment sessions lasting from 30 minutes to an hour have no (negative) side effect. Patients often return for additional treatments, usually for chronic conditions," Dr. Song explained
Just like most "energy-based" treatments, the patient usually feels either relaxed and tired, or surprisingly energized by the treatment and release of pain.
Before undertaking the treatment, it is wise to understand that tuina is not used for disorders involving compound fractures, open sores, external wounds or with infectious conditions like hepatitis.
Moreover, tuina should not be performed on the abdominal portion of a woman during her period or pregnancy, and it is not used to treat malignant tumors or tuberculosis.
Since the doctor concentrates on specific acupressure points, energy trigger points, muscles and joints surrounding the affected area, the patient should not eat at least an hour before the treatment.
Beijing Tong Ren Tang Indo Jl. Hos Cokroaminoto No. 73-75, Menteng Central Jakarta 10350 Tel. 021-3919088
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