Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Ng Chee Yat is the second-generation owner of Kien Fatt Medical Store (
Click here
), a family pharmacy that has
been operating in Chinatown since 1943. In 1997 Ng Chee Yat, along with some friends, started the
KL
Jln Petaling; 7-10pm Mon-Fri, 2-10pm Sat, 9am-6pm Sun; Pasar Seni), which provides training for those
wanting to learn the ancient practices of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It runs year-long courses in English
and operates as a drop-in clinic for patients.
What kind of ailments do patients bring to you for treatment?
A variety of things, but mainly aches and
pains, soft-tissue injuries and spinal diseases.
What's the fundamental difference between Western medicine and TCM?
I could write a dissertation for you
about that! Essentially, though, Chinese medicine is more holistic - a TCM doctor may talk about your body's
fire, for example, and prescribe a course of treatment to reduce the heat, to cool your system. That may involve
acupuncture, cupping, reflexology or a course of herbal remedies.
How much does a consultation cost?
It's RM10 to see the doctor and RM20 if that's followed by a session of
acupuncture.
How safe is acupuncture?
Very safe. The needles are only used once and they are swabbed with alcohol before
being used, too.
What kind of training do TCM doctors go through?
The majority of students here are working adults, so they
come three or four times a week in the evenings to study for three hours each session over five years. To graduate
they then have to spend six months on practical training at the Heilongjiang University of Chinese medicine in
Harbin, China.
What regulatory control is there of TCM in Malaysia?
A bill on TCM is under consideration by the govern-
ment currently.
Bukit Nanas & Around
HONG NGEK$
CHINESE
(50 Jln Tun HS Lee; noodles RM5; 10.30am-7pm Mon-Thu & Sat, to 5pm Fri, closed Sun; Masjid Jamek)
This long-running Hokkien coffee shop serves expertly made fried
bee hoon
(vermicelli
noodles), crab balls and succulent pork ribs stewed in Guinness. It has air-con upstairs,
but it's more interesting to watch the world go by at a table on the naturally ventilated
street level.
RESTORAN SANDO CHAPATI HOUSE$
INDIAN
