My first experience with 小儿推拿治疗 [ Chinese Child Massage Treatment ]

 小儿推拿治疗 @ 育国中医诊疗所

[ YU GUO Chinese Physician ]

Emmanuel was experiencing blocked nose, cough( not the normal cough but those coughs that sound like him trying to clear his throat) and more seriously, he was complaining of his neck pain on his back. 

At first, I thought nothing of his condition and simply gave him some common medicine. For his neck ache, I massaged him everyday. However, after a month, I started getting worried because it was not getting any better and in fact, his pain got worse. So bad that he started rotating his neck regularly (once every 1-2mins). Even his teachers were concerned.

I brought to him KKH for a checkup. We saw 2 different specialists, 1 for his nose and throat, the other for his neck. However, after x-ray scans and detailed checkup, the doctors found nothing wrong with him- perfectly healthy boy. I was only told to continue observing him, come back in one month's time, a nose spray and a cream to rub his muscle were given. Even though I told the doctor that I have already been given many types of nose sprays and it just doesn't work, the doctor insisted I try again. So I did. However, his condition still did not improve at all and looking at the way he rotates his neck and hearing him complain that it was painful, I knew I couldn't wait and do nothing. 

While talking to some mothers at his Kindergarten,  one mother told me about "Yu Guo" [ 育国中医诊疗所 ] where they specialized in child massage. Immediately, I brought him see the Chinese Physician at Yu Guo the next day, knowing that a massage will definitely help to relieve his neck ache.

At Yu Guo

Station 1: Registration

I registered Emmanuel at the registration counter and was given a number to see the Chinese doctor. As I found out from my friend that the place is usually very crowded, I went there at 9 a.m. when they open. So I was second in queue. 

Station 2: Seeing the Doctor 

We saw a doctor and we described his condition and with the information that all the x-ray and scans showed no serious condition, the doctor diagnosed that the neck muscle was very tight and he probably strained it and hence, the tighten muscle constricted his air way and hence resulted in his coughing as he attempts to clear or broaden his airway. Therefore, the doctor suggested that we focus the treatmenton his neck and once his neck muscle is relaxed, his other conditions will improve as well. At that moment, I was relieved to hear that some help can be given to him other than the advice of "wait and observe". 

Station 3: Child Massage

                                      

When I first entered the child massage room, I was impressed. It was very big and has 2 rows of beds. More importantly, there was no crying but children happily lying or sitting there being massaged. The physicians are very experienced and according to the age of the child, they are given appropriate toys and the physicians know how to engage them in a conversation. 

Emmanuel always looks for this specific physician to massage him. As you can see from the picture, they are happily smiling away. 

For a start, the physician will massage his palm to improve his blood circulation and to improve the function of his organs. As I found out later, there are many parents who bring their children there for a massage just for this purpose. 

 After the palm, they will move on to his face. 

 Then his back. 

 There are children of different ages. Some are even newborns. 

Finally, the physician focuses on his neck. Although Emmanuel is always moving around due to the pain, the physician is always very patient with him. 

Station 4: Payment and collection of medication

The whole massage using takes about 45 min to 1 hr for Emmanuel. He massages once every week and after 3 visits, his condition improved tremendously. He stopped coughing completely, his nose recovered and he rotated his neck less often. After about 6 visits, he stopped rotating his neck completely. But we are still visiting there once a week because the physician says that his muscle is still tight. Perhaps he is too active and hence straining his neck muscle[ he is always doing somersaults or hand stand] or that his sitting position is not right.    

I'm glad I have brought him there even though it very far from my house. Yu Guo is located at Kembangan Plaza which is directed opposite Kembangan MRT Station. 

Address: 18 Jalan Masjid #B1-01 S418944 

Tel: 6447 4761

Consultation Hours:

Weekdays except Wed
9:00-12:30, 14:00-17:00, 18:30-20:30
Sat
9:00-12:30, 14:00-17:00
Sun
9:00-12:30

Closed on Wed & Public Holidays
星期三与公共假期休诊

Cost: The first visit was $65 including medication.

Subsequently, I requested for no medication because my hubby and I do not give our children Chinese medicine. So it cost $40 per visit.

I think the cost is reasonable because it difficult to find people who are specialized in Child Massage and I have always been worried of injury should the physician be inexperienced. But at Yu Guo, the physicians are very experienced and they know how to handle the child. 

Overall, I'm thankful that my friend, Jacqueline recommended this place to me because it resolved Emmanuel's neck ache, nose and throat condition. Actually, I have always believed that the Chinese physicians are better at treating these external muscle problems. 

So if you ever need a child massage treatment for muscle problems, you can always try 育国中医诊疗所[ YU GUO Chinese Physician ].

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