9 Common TCM Mistakes Singaporeans Keep Making

ICYMI, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) has been having a moment in Singapore lately. From your ah ma swearing by her weekly acupuncture sessions to young working adults queuing at Eu Yan Sang for herbal tea to detox after bad hangovers — TCM is very much part of our heartland fabric.

But here's the thing: a lot of us are doing TCM wrong. Whether it's at a shophouse sinseh in Chinatown or a modern TCM clinic in a heartland mall, small mistakes can mean wasted money, slower recovery, or just plain jialat side effects. We break down the most common TCM mistakes Singaporeans make — and how to fix them.

1. Treating TCM Like A Last Resort Only

Many Singaporeans only rush to a sinseh when Western medicine has "failed" or when the pain is unbearable. Truth is, TCM works best as a complementary approach, not a last-ditch effort after everything else flops.

What to do instead: If you've got a chronic issue like backaches from WFH slouching or menstrual cramps, consider seeing a TCM practitioner early, alongside your regular GP visits, instead of waiting until you're desperate.

2. Self-Diagnosing Based On TikTok Or Google

We get it, everyone's a doctor after watching three TikToks on