Mr Ramasamy Namasirayam , 90

Care that makes the difference

More pain free days now for Mr Ramasamy after acupuncture and herbal treatment at the Hua Mei Acupuncture clinic

Mr. Ramasamy Namasirayam, 90 gave a big thumbs up and a broad smile at the end of another acupuncture session at the Hua Mei Acupuncture Clinic (HMAC). “Manyak Bagus!” he said in Malay, beaming with relief at his grandson and two married daughters who had accompanied him to the clinic.

With his right hand grasping firmly on a walking stick, he continued hurriedly: “Doctor is very nice, very good, very caring, and my body feels very good.” His daughter, Mani, quickly explained apologetically that her father was in a hurry as he was a tad anxious to get home soon to watch his favourite Tamil television show.

With pain under control, the retired shopkeeper is now able to enjoy his old age in greater comfort. He spends his time watching his favourite Tamil movies or doting on his 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

But it has not always been pain free for Mr Ramasamy.

Admitted to hospital for severe back pain

He was admitted to the hospital in 2002 for asthma, heart disease and chronic lower back pain. When the back pain did not go away after several courses of painkillers, the geriatric clinic at the Alexandra Hospital referred him to HMAC for alternative treatment.

His back pain was so severe at one stage that he could not stand up or lift up his leg to cross over the curb at the entrance to the toilet in his home.

Acupuncture brought immediate relief

By the third acupuncture session however, Mr Ramasamy felt that the lower back pain had miraculously eased, and he went on to complete two courses of acupuncture treatment. Each course is made up of 10 sessions.

Today, Mr Ramasamy goes to his favourite Chinese acupunturist-physician, Dr Gu at HMAC, for fortnightly acupuncture sessions for ‘pain-free maintenance’. He is also seeking acupuncture treatment for osteoarthritis at the knee. Said his daughter Mani: “No doubt there is a communication barrier. My dad speaks Malay and Tamil, and Dr Gu speaks Mandarin. But you can see from the way my father’s face lights up with a big smile whenever he sees Dr Gu, you know he is very happy to be here.”

The clinic’s caring staff made a difference

The family was impressed by the care and concern shown to Mr Ramasamy by the Hua Mei clinical staff. Mani then recounted her positive experiences at the clinic:

“My father was feeling very weak and in deep pain. He asked Dr Gu to be gentle with the acupuncture needles. We could see Dr Gu’s concern on his face. He was very skilful and careful with the needles. It was painless for my father.

On another occasion, my father had felt a bit faint when he got up too quickly, Dr Gu immediately checked his pulse, gave him a drink, and made sure he was comfortably seated – which doctor would do that for a patient?”

In recent months, Mr Ramasamy has also started taking herbal medicine to complement the western prescription of senna tablets and lactulose as treatment for his chronic constipation.

His family had noticed a significant improvement in Mr Ramasamy’s conditions since taking the herbal medicine: He does not need the help of a rectal suppository to ease his bowel movements anymore.

Another broad smile and another thumbs up, Mr Ramasamy waved good-bye to the clinical staff at HMAC after collecting his herbal medication. With pain now at bay, he just couldn’t wait to get home to watch his favourite Tamil movie.