Review on Gua Sha Detox Therapy @ Body Perfect [Sponsored]

68 Orchard Road #04-30 Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839

Tel: 6532 0188

Website: https://www.bodyperfect.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeSkinBodyPerfect

Body Perfect is a weight management centre using the proven combination of Science, Technology and Tradition to help clients lose weight without pills, dieting and injections. They believe in body balance composition - perfect balance of body fats, water and lean mass. Currently, they have outlets at Compass One, Parkway Parade, Plaza Singapura, Tampines One, Toa Payoh Central and Westgate Mall.

I was honoured to be invited for a Gua Sha Detox Therapy session (worth SGD$188.00) at their Plaza Singapura outlet, using the technique of TCM circulatory treatment to drain fats and tighten contours by addressing the stagnant energy ("qi") in the body. This was a totally holistic treatment without machines or devices; merely Gua Sha skills and pure Essential Oils.

When I reached Body Perfect, the consultant went through a health and lifestyle questionnaire with me to understand my needs better; I also filled out a personal particulars form. Then I was brought to the treatment room - which, like the rest of the salon, was simply furnished and modest in size. I changed into the disposable undergarment provided and waited for the therapist to attend to me.

The trained therapist began the process of scraping my skin with varying strokes, targeting the tummy and thigh areas (my main concerns) - this would help stimulate accupoint microcirculation of the soft tissue, which in turn improves blood circulation. The process could be described as mildly uncomfortable to a little painful - depending on your pain threshold. The detoxifying process lasted around 30- 40 minutes.

I was warned that there could be a fair bit of flatulence (i.e. "farting", or emission of air through the anus) due to the Gua Sha stimulation around my abdomen area. She also explained that for greater efficiency, holistic treatments are usually combined with machine technology here to complement each other and produce faster results. My tummy, which was hard to the touch, felt soft after the treatment - the therapist explained that when fats are softened, they are easier to break down and be flushed out, aiding in weight loss.

Overall, I enjoyed the Gua Sha slimming session here, and felt more body confident as I squeezed into my new clothes. Thank you Body Perfect for the sponsored session.

Review on Acupuncture Slimming by Aimin @ Somerset [Sponsored]

51 Cuppage #01-05 / 06 Singapore 229469

Tel: 6225 2321

Website: http://www.aimin.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AiminAcupunctureWeightLoss

Aimin Acupuncture and Weight Loss Centre is a dedicated traditional Chinese Medicine wellness centre with over 20 years history, providing healthy solutions to help clients maintain / regain their health.

I was honoured to be invited for a session of their signature Acupuncture Slimming Treatment (worth SGD$209.80). They also have another outlet in Joo Chiat area, but the Somerset outlet was more convenient for me.

When I first arrived, a couple of consultants attended to me with hot tea and forms to fill. After that, a lady in white coat took my measurements on a machine and generated a report with details on my weight, muscle mass, BMI, visceral fats etc. She also went through a short interview on my lifestyle and ideal weight.

I was then led to the treatment room for the first part of this session- a 20 minute Aroma Oil Slimming Massage on my abdomen area (having established that this was my most concerned area). The stomach rubs and kneads were intense, and sone aromatic oil was used in the process. Pain was slight, and strangely satisfying.

Next, therapist Ms Luo Hong came to administer the next part of the treatment - 30 minutes Acupuncture Slimming Session. Everyone assured me that this part of the treatment was absolutely painless, numbing and all, which was why I was not prepared for the initial sharp pain the moment the needles pierced into my skin (abdonen and thigh areas).

Rest assured however that the pain was mininal and rapid, like an ant's bite; and over before I could even react. True enough I felt nothing thereafter. A machine was set up over the needled areas and provided heat to stimulate the process I reckon.

The session ended around 30 minutes; all these while I was also given a handheld bell to press in the event I felt uncomfortable and needed help. The odd thing was after Physician Luo removed the needles from my body, she just smiled and exited the room, without informing me that I should get dressed or wait for someone to come in to attend to me. So I sat and waited for a while before deciding that I should get dressed and head out back to the consultation area.

All in all it was a pleasant session, my very firsy experience with TCM slimming and acupuncture. Ms Luo Hong herself has been in practice for more than a decade so I knew I was in good hands. Better yet, my abdomen area felt firmer already.

Thank you Aimin Acupuncture and Weight Loss Centre for the invite and for this interesting TCM slimming session!

Stiff Neck - Ma Kuang TCM Treatment and King Koil Micro-gel Support Pillow

Block 231 Bain Street #01-69 Bras Basah Complex, Singapore 180231

Tel: 6336 6386

After the first stiff / sprained neck  episode in February / March 2014 - when I woke up in the morning experiencing severe stiffness and pain in my neck + shoulders, so painful that even moving my arms or turning my head hurt - I have been having rather frequent (albeit milder) bouts of stiff / sprained neck or shoulder pain.

I stumbled into the well-known Ma Kuang Chinese Medicine Centre for treatment, since the two TCM clinics / Sensei that were recommended to me were closed (it was still within the 15 days of Lunar New Year). Ma Kuang has many branches, and not all have therapists (though all have physicians), so for a list of their outlets and services, visit their website here.

Not knowing what to expect in the clean, well-kept Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic since it was my first time, I told the friendly receptionist about my problem, and she assigned the Therapist on duty to me.

Last visit was a male therapist / tuina-logist, and since today he was not around, they assigned a female therapist / tuina-logist to me. When it was my turn, I was ushered into the treatment area with beds (okay, it is nothing like a lovely spa bed, but this is a clinic!) and the therapists took care to sterilize them and lay the necessary towels etc.

There we chatted about my current ailment that required treatment, and the therapist would ask questions about my lifestyle to discern the causes. Then they would work on the treatment. Having been scared (by movies and hearsay / misconception) since young into believing that "tuina" (bone-setting) was all about therapists forcefully twisting one's joints / bones back into shape, and that it would hurt like mad before one was soothed, I braced myself for the onset of agony.

I was asked to lie facedown while the therapists worked on me - kneading, massaging, rubbing and pressing on the knots of my back, constantly asking if a certain area hurt. Sometimes I would hear gently cracking sounds as my bones / joints settled into position at being treated. The male therapist had asked me to sit up while he rotated my head, neck and shoulders while the female therapist did more of massage-style treatment.

The male therapist included Cupping Therapy (Ba Guan) as part of his treatment package whereas the female therapist today asked if I wanted to include it - I said yes anyway. The heat and tight vacuum suction upon various parts of my back was a little painful, but it was still tolerable - I knew it had many benefits such as sucking out the toxins, water etc in the body.

My body did feel better after the masso-therapy, and the entire session of one hour only cost around SGD$70.00 each time, including some medicated plasters to take home. The only drawback was probably the ugly red marks - 3D at first, then fading into 2D - that would last me for about a week. Service was polite overall and no pushy hard-selling, hence appreciated.

I also did some research and consulted with several TCM and Western medical professionals on the probable causes of neck sprains / stiffness one feels upon waking up in the mornings:-

(i)    Bad sleeping position
(ii)   Prolonged sitting down to use computers or working at a desk
(iii)  Bad sitting position
(iv)  The very high heels I wear to work
(v)   Showering after 11pm at nights
(vi)   Previous injuries or spinal issues (N.A. for me)
(vii)  Sunken in / soft pillows or mattresses
(ix)   Stress or pressure
(x)   Standing too long with head bent (i.e. computer not at eye level)

I also had to end up buying this pricey King Koil Micro-Gel Support Pillow (SGD$99.00) - was debating between the cheaper coutour support pillows or this - and found this to be softer.