Namibians hail therapeutic value of traditional Chinese medicine

 Many Namibians have hailed the therapeutic value of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which has been in use for many centuries, but introduced to the country about two decades ago.

Speaking to Xinhua after a workshop organized early this week at the Chinese Embassy in Namibia to discuss TCM's beauty and health benefits, Timia Kameeta, a young Namibian student based in the capital Windhoek, could not hide her joy.

"The circular motion as well as manipulation on the neck and face, administered by Dr. Wang Peng proved to be quite relaxing and calm," she said, referring to Dr. Wang who is part of a Chinese medical mission based at Katutura State Hospital in Windhoek.

I often spend most of my days at school sitting on the chair, which in turn brings discomfort on my shoulders and neck, Timia added.

"The few minutes I laid on the bed, Dr. Wang just administered a quick snap on my neck and the slight discomfort I was experiencing totally subsided," the young student said, adding that "she was shocked the Chinese doctor just used his hands only."

Through the TCM techniques such as thenar kneading, whipping, finger pressing and rolling to soothe joints and muscles, Dr. Wang is bringing a different but potent type of treatment to many across Namibia.

"It is quite shocking how many patients we get on a daily basis," Dr. Wang told Xinhua, adding that "majority of those who get these traditional forms of treatment return for further experiences."

He said TCM is not only administered through herbs, but through other different traditional Chinese procedures such as acupuncture, cupping, tuina (massage) and moxibustion.

"Often, we do diagnosis simply by observation, listening, interrogation and pulse taking and from that we can deduce the patient's ailment," Dr. Wang said.

Like Timia, Laura Cloete has been at Dr. Wang's facility for some neck and back manipulation using Ying Tang technique which, according to the Chinese doctor, "clears the head, brightens the eyes and relieves nasal congestion."

"I sat on the chair during the massage and as he pressed between the two tips of my eyebrows with his fingers, it was simply amazing," she said, adding that "I felt so relieved and young after he worked on the different facial points."

"Despite my advanced age, Dr. Wang's technique has done wonders for me," Cloete said, promising to use TCM treatments more often.

Currently, there are two doctors practising TCM at the Katutura State Hospital, and according to Dr. Wang, they often get more than 30 patients daily.

"Some of the patients travel as far as the northern parts of the country so as to experience this therapy," he reveals, adding that the therapy is offered free of charge.

According to Dr. Wang, since they launched operations in Namibia in 1996, the number of patients they have handled has grown.

"At first, the locals did not understand what TCM was and were often sceptical, but after a while, Namibians have embraced it and actually love it," the Chinese doctor concluded.