Complementary & Alternative Medicine in Singapore

Here’s a look at different types of complementary medicine that can boost your mental health, and how a combination of Eastern and Western therapies can help with disorders like depression and anxiety

Dealing with depression holistically

Major depressive disorder, or depression, is a disabling condition characterised by intense feelings of emptiness, worthlessness, loneliness, hopelessness and despair. It can greatly impair a person’s family, work or school life, their sleep and eating habits, and their general wellbeing.

Talk it out

In Western medicine, clinical depression is typically treated with antidepressant medication. While this may be an effective solution on its own for some, depression treatment doesn’t need to rely solely on medication. Often, a multidisciplinary approach can be beneficial – and psychotherapy (talk therapy) is one technique that can help.

DR JACOB RAJESH is a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Promises Healthcare, a provider that offers holistic specialist care in mental health and addictions. This includes a range of psychiatric, psychological and wellbeing services for patients of all ages.

Dr Rajesh says that, while seeing a psychiatrist for anti-depressant medication can certainly be a good first step in managing depression, psychotherapy can address the underlying causes of the depression. So, in addition to prescribing medication for moderate to severe depression symptoms, he usually recommends psychotherapy in its various forms: cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, interpersonal therapy or family therapy, depending on the psychosocial stressors. The two treatments work hand-in-hand, with the medication playing a key role in stabilising the sufferer’s chemical and biological changes.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

For people with depression who haven’t responded to anti-depressants or have severe side effects from medication, there is an alternative non-drug treatment available, and Promises is the only private centre in Singapore to offer it.

Called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), the technique uses 3,000 electromagnetic pulses to stimulate the area of the brain that regulates moods. Unlike electroconvulsive therapy, which is more for people with severe psychotic depression, TMS doesn’t require any sedation, explains Dr Rajesh. The patient remains alert and awake for the entire outpatient procedure, and there are no major side effects. Typically, 20 to 30 sessions are required, lasting 40 minutes each.

This type of treatment can also be used to complement anti-depressants. “If anti-depressants alone aren’t helping, TMS can augment the medication,” says Dr Rajesh. In fact, he says it’s best to take medication alongside TMS, as it’s possible for the patient to relapse once the treatment stops.

Promises Healthcare
#09-22/23 Novena Medical Centre, 10 Sinaran Drive
6397 7309 | promises.com.sg

Melding Modern and Traditional

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of wellness that dates back thousands of years. While Western medicine focuses on treating the specific ailment, TCM looks at the body holistically, and emphasises energy and balance.

PEH WEI JIE is a physician at One Wellness Medical, a holistic healthcare practice that combines conventional Western medical practices and complementary TCM services. So, in addition to general medical consultations and screening packages, preventative and family medicine are augmented at One Wellness with TCM herbal medication, acupuncture, cupping therapy and other ancient Eastern practices. The idea is to provide the “best of both worlds” to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

“Modern Western medicine includes surgery and, most commonly, single-molecular drugs,” says Peh. “And Western medicine typically has rapid or immediate effects, which is why it is highly effective for life-threatening conditions. However, these drugs may have potential damage to other parts of the body. The drug efficacy might be longer, but TCM can be safer, as secondary after-effects are minimised.”

He adds: “TCM herbal medications are designed to prevent adverse effects and clear the root cause of the disease.” This is why combination therapy can be key; Western medicine to alleviate current symptoms and TCM herbal medication to address the root cause of disease, and to prevent re-occurrences. “The two modes of medication work in different ways, but can be synergised to achieve a better combined effect for the patient’s symptoms.” But, as with any kind of medicine, TCM herbal medication is “a personalised and precision-based medication, and must be tailored to an individual’s symptoms and needs,” explains Peh. Therefore, it’s important to seek a licensed certified TCM practitioner for a detailed diagnosis.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a holistic TCM approach that’s aimed at relieving pain and treating diseases by clearing the body’s energy, or Qi, pathways. To do this, hair-thin needles are used to target specific areas of the skin, known as acupoints; each acupoint corresponds to an organ in the body, and the needles are inserted accordingly. The sterilised, disposable needles are so thin that most people feel nothing more than a slight tingling sensation when inserted.

Acupuncture treatment is offered at both One Wellness Medical locations, with each session lasting about 20 to 30 minutes.

The treatment can be effective in relieving all kinds of ailments and pain syndromes. Peh says that many patients with lower back pain, osteoarthritis, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia and other pain syndromes report improved relief with acupuncture, in conjunction with the antiinflammatory and preventive Western medications.

Acupuncture can also play an important role in anxiety and other mental health disorders, says Peh.

“Medications present limited efficacy and poor drug responses for certain individuals, as well as various adverse effects such as nausea and insomnia. Patients also often face slow outcomes and high recurrence rates. By complementing Western medication with acupuncture, hormones can be stimulated to relieve anxiety, minimise adverse reactions and reduce the recurrence rates of anxiety disorders,” he explains.

One Wellness Medical
CBD: #03-14 SBF Medical Suites, 160 Robinson Road | 6904 1671
East Coast: #04-19 i12 Katong Mall, 112 East Coast Road | 6568 0320

onewellnessmedical.com

The Power of Aromatherapy

As one of the world’s oldest forms of natural medicine, aromatherapy uses essential oils – plant extracts that capture the plant’s scent and therapeutic properties – to promote emotional and physical wellness. It remains popular today for its moodboosting and stress-relieving benefits.

Essential oils can be inhaled with a diffuser or mist, or applied directly to the skin with roll-ons, natural perfumes, bath oils and compresses. Whether inhaled or topically applied, the therapeutic components from the oils stimulate the area of the brain that plays a role in emotions and behaviours. This, in turn, can have advantageous effects on the body, both physically and mentally.

My Pure Earth is a Singapore-based company that sources pure and potent essential oils from sustainable farms around the world. Each of the brand’s essential oil blends is hand-blended in Singapore, and free of toxins. They can be used to boost moods, calm the mind and alleviate symptoms of common ailments. There are even dedicated blends to help with everything from sinus relief and jet lag to improved sleep and mental focus.

While aromatherapy alone can’t treat a disorder like depression, using it alongside other treatments can prove to be quite valuable. Here are some of My Pure Earth’s most popular products, and the mental health benefits associated with them:

Peppermint Essential Oil: This strong, refreshing aroma has been known to help with mental fatigue, depression and even headache relief.

Frankincense Essential Oil: A balsamic, woody and spicy fragrance that supports clear, deep breathing, this is a great oil to use during meditation to balance the mind.

Rose Essential Oil: This sweet, floral scent can help soothe headaches and balance hormones, and help “strengthen the heart in periods of high stress, grief and depression”.

Dreamtime Essential Oil Blend: Certified organic lavender essential oil is mixed with bergamot and sweet orange essential oils to create a floral, citrusy aroma that calms the mind, eases tension and helps support sleep.

Stress Less Essential Oil Blend: Bergamot, clary sage and lavender essential oils are combined to help release tension and provide that much-needed natural dose of calm.

My Pure Earth founder MARRA HENSBY recommends using the brand’s popular Meraki diffuser to inhale the aromas. The sleek and sustainable diffuser can be programmed to mist continuously for up to nine hours, or mist intermittently for up to 18 hours. It even doubles as a night-light!

Diffuser jewellery is another great way to experience the “superpowers” of essential oils, says Marra. Bracelets and necklaces made from lava stones – known for their balancing properties and absorbent texture – and gemstone beads can be rubbed with a drop or two of essential oil, then worn throughout the day as the aromas are released. My Pure Earth has nine different gemstones to choose from, including amethyst, which is thought to promote mental tranquillity.

Find out more at mypureearth.com.

This article first appeared in the June 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!