Traditional medicine partners with modern medicine to help improve patients’ lives, writes Kasmiah Mustapha
MY late mother always used traditional methods to treat minor ailments. For ear ache, she used aloe vera gel and to ease muscle cramps, she would rub turmeric powder mixed with ginger and cooking oil on the affected area.
Once, I witnessed an elderly woman use a small knife to prick a few spots on my mother’s back before covering them with bull horns. After a while, she lifted the horns and I could see blood flowing into them.
When I asked what she was doing, my mother told me it was, to get rid of “dirty” blood and toxins in the body. At that time, the process looked painful. It was only years later that I realised that bekam, or cupping, is a popular method to treat migraine, hypertension, anxiety, depression and rheumatic diseases.
Such treatments have been used to treat illnesses for centuries. Today, traditional medicine is a huge segment of the global healthcare industry.
The World Health Organisation in its Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 report states that it is an important and often underestimated part of health services.
It says traditional medicine or non-conventional medicine may be termed complementary medicine. Traditional medicine has a long history of disease prevention and treatment, particularly for chronic diseases.
In Malaysia in 2007, the Health Ministry had established the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) division. The T&CM policy states that it will co-exist with modern medicine and contribute towards enhancing the health and quality of life of all Malaysians.
T&CM is classified into six major groups: Traditional Malay medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Indian medicine, homeopathy, complementary medicine and Islamic medical practice.
COMPLEMENTARY GOES MAINSTREAM
The first T&CM unit was set-up in Hospital Kepala Batas, Penang in 2008.
As of last year, 14 T&CM units have been set up in hospitals nationwide including Hospital Putrajaya, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah in Kuala Terengganu, Hospital Port Dickson and Hospital Sultanah Hajah Kalsom in Cameron Highlands.
The services are also extended to primary healthcare centres, beginning with Klinik Kesihatan Masai in Johor and Klinik Kesihatan Meranti in Kelantan. For now, the therapies at these units are acupuncture, massage, herbs to aid cancer patients and Malay postnatal treatment.
Hospital Putrajaya Traditional and Complementary unit head Dr Azlina Mohd Husain says complementary treatment is not to cure diseases but to ease symptoms. Based on the Ministry’s guidelines, it should never be used to replace conventional treatment, she says.
“The Health Ministry advised against the use of complementary treatment to treat diseases or illnesses. There are cases where patients have refused to seek treatment at the hospitals and opted for alternative treatment. Unfortunately, their condition worsened.
“Complementary treatment is only applicable for relief of symptoms. For example, the use of herbal treatment for cancer patients is to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, not to treat cancer.”
FOR PATIENTS IN PAIN
The hospital’s T&CM unit offers traditional Malay massage and acupuncture treatment for post-stroke patients and patients with chronic pain. It also offers traditional Malay postnatal care for mothers who have normal delivery at the hospital and Pusat Bersalin Berisiko Rendah (Low Risk Maternity Centre) in Presint 8.
Dr Azlina says complementary treatment is especially beneficial for patients with chronic pain who cannot be treated with surgery. Patients are also advised against long-term use of painkillers as they can have side effects such as gastritis.
“The pain can be treated with massage or acupuncture. The treatments are non-invasive and are proven to be effective. I have seen some stroke patients who have regained some movement with a combination of physiotherapy and acupuncture.”
Dr Azlina says patients who are treated at the unit must be referred by their doctors. This is important as the T&CM practitioners need to know the patients’ diagnosis, symptoms and conventional treatments that they have gone through.
“We have to vet them thoroughly to decide which treatment works for them. However, it does not mean they can stop seeing the doctors. Patients still need to go for follow-up to monitor their condition.”
She says it is better to be diagnosed by a doctor before seeking complementary treatment. “If you are suffering from back pain, you may not know the cause. There are many reasons for back pain and the treatment may be different.
“With the doctor’s diagnosis, the practitioner is able to treat you better. And you should choose certified practitioners to ensure you receive proper treatment.”
TYPES OF COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
THE US National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine groups complementary treatments into broad categories which include natural products, mind-body medicine, manipulative and body-based practices, movement therapies and traditional healing practices.
These are some of the complementary treatments commonly used to better manage diseases.
ACUPUNCTURE
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that vital energy, called “qi” flows in the body through 20 pathways. These pathways are connected by acupuncture points. Sterile, hair-thin needles are inserted into the points to release blocked qi.
Studies reveal that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release natural painkillers and immune system cells. It may help to relieve abdominal pain, constipation, indigestion, anxiety, depression, insomnia and back pain.
CUPPING
There are two methods of cupping — dry and wet. Dry cupping involves the placement of heated suction cups onto the skin to form a vacuum without drawing blood. In wet cupping, small cuts are made on the vacuumed areas and the suction cups are placed to draw blood.
Cupping may help remove toxins, reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, improve blood pressure, stimulate the nervous system and strengthen the immune system.
MASSAGE
It is a hands-on method of manipulating the muscles and soft tissues of the body using hands and fingers. Massage can include a variety of types of pressure and touch. A massage can be light, concentrating on the skin, or deep, focusing on the underlying layers of muscle tissue.
Massage may help to relieve pain and stress, reduces anxiety and depression and promote relaxation and well-being. It can also reduce pain and depression in cancer patients and improve weight gain and development in premature infants.
AROMATHERAPY
Also known as essential oils therapy, it uses a plant’s aroma-producing oils (essential oils) to treat disease. The oils are thought to interact with the body’s hormones and enzymes to cause changes in blood pressure, pulse and other body functions. Another theory suggests that the fragrance of certain oils may stimulate the body to produce pain-fighting substances.
Aromatherapy may promote relaxation and help relieve stress. It has also been used to treat a wide range of conditions including burns, infections, depression, insomnia and high blood pressure.
TAI CHI
This is an exercise that combines slow, graceful movements with meditation and breathing techniques. Because the body is constantly in motion, tai chi is sometimes called “moving meditation”. Many practitioners believe that tai chi helps prevent the flow of qi from being blocked.
It can help decrease stress, anxiety and depression, improve mood, increase energy and stamina, improve flexibility, balance and agility and improve muscle strength and definition.
YOGA
Originating from India, it is a form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental well-being. The main components of yoga are postures and breathing.
Studies suggest yoga is an effective way to increase physical activity, especially strength, flexibility and balance. It is also beneficial for those with high blood pressure, heart disease, aches and pains — including lower back pain — depression and stress.
AYURVEDA
This is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body and spirit. The primary focus is to bring balance back to the body and mind in order to both prevent and cure diseases.
Ayurvedic treatments may involve a combination of special herbs, diet changes, yoga practice, acupuncture, meditation and massage.
It may help reduce risks of cancer, dementia, high blood pressure, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and alleviate stress.
REFLEXOLOGY
It involves applying pressure to certain areas of the foot and hands. The theory is that these areas are directly connected by nerves to other organs and systems of the body and the pressure helps to stimulate their recovery and good health
It helps stimulate nerve function, relaxes and relieves stress, relieves tired and tense feet and ankles, eases anxiety and stress.
Studies found that reflexology can improve respiratory function in breast cancer patients, reduce fatigue, and improve sleep.
HYPNOTHERAPY
It uses hypnosis, which allows the person to be in an altered state of awareness, perception or consciousness. Hypnosis is usually considered an aid to psychotherapy (counselling or therapy), because people are able to explore painful thoughts, feelings, and memories they might have hidden from their conscious minds.
It may help with phobias, fear, anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, stress, post-trauma anxiety, grief and loss.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal medicine, also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine, refers to using a plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers for medicinal purposes.
It is used to treat allergies, asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndrome. It is best to discuss with your doctor before taking herbal medicine. There is a risk that herbal medicines can interact with prescription medications and may worsen certain medical conditions.
Malaysia’s Health Ministry, WebMD, Mayo Clinic, NHS UK, University of Maryland Medical Centre, breastcancer.org, macmillan.org.uk.