Apia Chinese Health Centre opens

By Adel Fruean 04 January 2019, 12:00AM

The first Chinese Acupuncture Health Centre in Samoa has opened at Vaimoso. 

The Apia Chinese Health Centre for Acupuncture and Cupping is serviced by two health professionals, Dr. John Yuan and Dr. Dong Wei. The owner is John Chang who said he chose Samoa to set up business because acupuncture as a health treatment was relatively unknown.

 “I came to Samoa last year and sought the approvals from the Ministry of Health to set up the first ever Acupuncture Health Centre in Samoa,” he said.

“With the help of Dr. Yuan and Dr. Wei, who are certified acupuncturists, this has been made possible.”

According to Dr. Wei, acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body. It is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine. 

Cupping therapy is also an ancient form of alternative medicine in which special cups are put on the skin for a few minutes to create suction. 

“I have been practicing acupuncture for 20 years and am qualified to be a licensed doctor according to the regulations stipulated by the Law of Certified Doctor of People’s Republic of China.

 “Acupuncture can relieve neck pain, back pain, sleep disorders, headaches and other various ailments.

“I was invited because Mr. Chang said that Samoa did not have any place for acupuncture treatment and that there could be many Samoan people that can be helped through this treatment.”

One of the patients, Peter Clarke, undergoing weekly treatments praised the service offered at the Centre.

“As a nurse, I do have a fair understanding of the benefits of acupuncture and the reason why I come here is because I like the alternative medicine to the westernized medicine. 

“I also believe that acupuncture can do a lot of good towards ailments that westernized medicine cannot do. 

“Particularly when it comes to muscles and nerve systems, I think acupuncture targets that area of medicine. If you had a chronic pain for a long time, which I have, acupuncture gets to the point and I am actually sleeping better.

“I have been treated for three weeks and will continue because it is not a treatment that you take tablets and it goes away but it needs to be worked on for a long period of time, meaning it takes time and I am a witness that it has worked tremendously well with me.”

Mr. Clarke added that he has had acupuncture in Australia but prefers the newly opened health centre in Samoa in terms of services.

By Adel Fruean 04 January 2019, 12:00AM

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