How does enduring a bit of pain sound to you as you allow your body to be stretched and straightened back into shape? Or, having dozens of needles stuck all over you with electrical pulses sent through them?

As crazy as it may sound, I volunteered to go through all this and more for the sake of better health.

They were just minor discomforts, really. The horrors one imagines as long needles penetrate one’s body are baseless. In fact, I didn’t even know the needles had already been inserted until the Chinese physician said so.

All I felt was a cold dampness as the doctor sanitised my skin, then the touch of his fingers and a slight prick. Once a needle was in, I couldn’t even feel it, so counting the number of needles in my body without looking was out of the question. I had to ask the doctor.

Acupuncture improves blood circulation and chi
 
He said 14 €” to improve blood circulation and unblock the natural flow of chi in my body.

The acupuncture therapy was recommended by a Chinese physician at Golden Horses Health Sanctuary €” TCM Wellness, a preventive healthcare centre offering a comprehensive range of services based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

The centre, in Mines Resort City, concentrates on the prevention and detection of disease rather than cures. TCM Wellness’ founder and president of the Malaysian Health Qigong Association, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, said he had always been a true believer in preventive care.

“Over 5,000 years ago, the ancient Chinese discovered a subtle chi in the body, which cannot be seen or felt. This chi travels through invisible channels or meridians, each connecting to a particular organ in the body with specific functions. Any imbalances to these chi levels are considered illnesses,” said Lee.