Trick or Treat? (Part 1)

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Tissue manipulation

I’m lying face-down on a bed and struggling to breathe through the pain. Call me a wuss, but myofascial trigger-point therapy is not for the faint-hearted. How does it work? The therapist locates trigger points in a taut muscle band (think of the stubborn kink in your neck that won’t go away), performs a deep compression, and follows up with a series of stretches to ease the muscle. The results? A stiff neck that could not rotate more than 15 degrees has swung back (almost) to normal by the end of the hour-long session, and my half-hunched posture has morphed into me walking tall – albeit rather gingerly – after a very intense and somewhat tearful session.

Verdict: While we can’t not mention the discomfort factor, just know that it’s far from crippling and well worth enduring for the longterm results it brings.

By appointment only.

Where: Myotherapy and Pain Care Clinic, #04-06 Tanglin Place, 91 Tanglin Road

Contacts: 6884 9195; 9325 8772

Costs: From $60.

Cupping

It felt like I had ten people hovering above my body, taking turns pinching and stretching my skin in all directions. Having peeked over earlier and seen only one doctor using long metal tongs to dunk cotton into a jar of alcohol, I tried to relax. After taking a dip, it was set on fire and placed inside the glass cup, thus removing all oxygen and creating a vacuum. The cups were turned upside down and placed all the way down my back. I would have thought I’d come across a new form of torture if it hadn’t been for the friendly doctor and lack of any terrible pain.

After realising that the slightest movement would cause the cups to wobble and clink against each other, I was masochistically focusing on the chorus I had created in an effort to get my mind off the squeezing sensation. The best part was the feeling of relief that came when the cups were removed – it felt like a huge weight was taken off my shoulders with each cup. For a little something extra, the doctor decided to connect electricity to my bum. It gave off the sensation that little hands were stroking me – not painful, not really pleasant, just different.

Verdict: Despite the week-long scars that were left as a reminder, the pinching and prodding was nowhere near the pain I normally feel, and this probably brought what would usually be a ten down to a five.

Where: TCM Zheng Gu & Acupuncture Treatment Centre, #01-22 Furama Hotel Shopping Centre, 60 Eu Tong Sen Street

Contacts: 6538 2628

Costs: $80.

Internal organ massage (Chi Nei Tsang)

I’m not gonna lie (unless it’s on a spa bed): I am a massage whore. However, the mention of an internal organ massage, or Chi nei Tsang (CNT), caused me to have reservations. But following a year of stomach problems, I decided to put my chi (and insides) in someone else’s hands. Chinese Taoists worked out many moons ago that we often suffer energy blockages in our central internal organs, the natural hangout for our emotions, which can lead to bad digestion, poor health and emotional problems.

The session started with the practitioner staring intently at my stomach, analysing its shape and studying my belly button – who knew you could tell so much from a deep innie with a left-hand slant? A focused and, at times, bloody painful massage worked in a circular motion from the bottom of my abdomen in a clockwise direction around my navel. The results were quite extraordinary: while I had hoped to lose the knot of pain in my stomach, the accompanying rush of emotion and sense of wellbeing that followed was an unexpected, even more welcome surprise.

Verdict: Worth a try, your spleen will be so happy!

Where: Vannie Toh, home visits

Contacts: 9742 4319

Costs: $120.

Dermarolling

For many former acne victims, the more important issue at hand is to recover from the scars left behind by the ‘zit face’ title we once had to tolerate. Dermarolling was mentioned as a cure to my traumatic high-school years, and I’m not one for not trying new things. While they claim this as a painless procedure, any mention of needles, and I have to stifle my screams. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

After smothering numbing cream over my face, the doctor began moving the roller equipped with 1mm needles. Thankfully, the constant pricking resembled ant bites, something I could handle with minimal yelpage. Looking to walk out of there with a face softer than a baby’s butt, I was disappointed when told that it would take at least three sessions to see any dramatic results. It was also recommended that I add chemical peeling to the ‘to do’ list.

Verdict: I’m thankful that I don’t have any class reunions in the next few years, and even more thankful that I didn’t have a hot date booked for the weekend – I came out looking like a lobster.

Disclaimer: This treatment was not experienced at Simply Aesthetic, however dermarolling services can be found there.

Where: Simply Aesthetic, #02-14 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity Street

Contacts: 6732 5527; www.simply-aesthetic.com

Costs: $1,400 (three sessions).

Time Out Singapore’s intrepid team of guinea pigs included Katie Ackerman, Clare Brundle, Maya Calica, Charlene Fang, David Hackett, Alexandra Karplus, Sabrina Lee, Edward Lodens, Oliver Lyons, Peter Myers, Alexis Ong and Sarah Porter.

Part: 1 | 2 | 3