When East and West work together

On its own, traditional Chinese medicine or TCM has long been recognized as an alternative treatment mode for chronic ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes.

These days, TCM is also being offered to complement Western medicine.

"There is a growing awareness and demand for complementary and alternative approaches to health among Filipinos, particularly among those who lead fast-paced, stress-filled lives and are, therefore, more vulnerable to illness," said SynergyMed Center general manager Minoru Kabashima,

SynergyMed is a subsidiary of Japan-based Fortune Pacific Group, which has investments primarily in health care and real estate. The group invested P100 million in its first well-being clinic in Southeast Asia, which opened for business last June in the Ortigas business district. There are plans to open SynergyMed branches in Malaysia and Thailand within the year.

Set-up

The clinic’s Western team is made up of seven medical doctors, four nurses, two medical technicians, one ultrasound technician, one x-ray technician, and two medical secretaries. They use modern laboratory equipment to aid in the comprehensive analysis of a person’s state of health.

The Eastern wing has five doctors, all graduates of Beijing University’s College of Chinese Traditional Medicine, and two medical interpreters. They offer TCM therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal medication.

SyngeryMed advocates the value of Western medicine in trauma care and therapies for acute conditions. TCM is introduced to strengthen resistance and increase immunity by cultivating a person’s internal life force and achieving a unity of mind, body, and spirit. "TCM tackles the gray area between sickness and health. Even if there is no sign of illness, it does not mean that a person is healthy," said Kabashima, who used to manage another health facility with the same concept in Japan.

Target market

Most of SynergyMed’s clients are the middle-aged, senior executives, and expatriates and their spouses.

"Stress, poor eating and sleeping habits, processed food and environmental pollution are the common burdens of urban living. This is where TCM and the concept of preventive medicine comes in," Kabashima said, adding that it is the answer to the high cost of medical treatment. "Government and private corporations that subsidize the medical benefits of their employees would do well to look into this kind of preventive method."