Meet Dr. Joseph, a 4th generation Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner who has dedicated his life to healing and restoring balance through ancient practices passed down through the generations. With a wealth of knowledge in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other TCM therapies, Dr. Joseph has had the privilege of treating a wide range of patients, including high-profile celebrities and politicians.
Committed to providing holistic care, he combines traditional wisdom with modern insights to guide each individual toward better health and well-being. What motivated him to get started? Here is his story.
What inspired you to continue the legacy of being a fourth-generation TCM practitioner with Annie Tiang TCM?
What inspired me was when I was seven years old. I followed my mom to see her treat patients, almost like an internship. At that time, we saw a lot of Samsui women and women with bound feet. I was very curious about why they wore that type of uniform and why their feet were bound.
Some of them were carried in on stretchers because of slipped discs or knee injuries. When my mother helped them recover, they could walk out on their own. That inspired me because it showed that natural, homegrown TCM treatments could be effective. People often think that traditional medicine is slow, but it really depends on your skills.
How does TCM practices provide holistic care for your patients?
Chinese medicine uses plants and other natural elements. I see TCM as pure natural medicine. Holistic care involves balancing the five elements: the liver, heart, stomach, lungs, and kidneys.
When these are balanced, the immune system becomes stable and strong. You won’t need to rely on lifetime medications like those for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high glucose. In TCM, when you’re cured, you’re truly cured.
What are some of the most common conditions your patients seek help for, and how does TCM address these effectively?
The most common conditions my patients seek help for are slipped discs, knee and shoulder arthritis, sinusitis, and scoliosis in children. We also treat persistent coughs that other medicines can’t cure. We clear those types of coughs naturally and quickly. Once cured, the results last a very long time.
How does acupuncture work on the meridian channels?
We unblock the channels and reduce inflammation through methods like massage, traction, moxibustion, and bone setting. We also use Chinese herbs to remove clots inside the body. These techniques help to clear blockages and promote healing.
Can you share a memorable success story where treatments significantly improved a patient’s condition?
One memorable story is about a diabetic patient whose leg had a severe infection. The infection was so bad that the leg turned ‘black’, and the bones were visible. The doctors told her she would need amputation, but she came to us for help.
I asked her to come every two to four days to speed up recovery. We used various methods to bring more blood flow to the affected area. Slowly, the skin healed, and she could walk again. Later, her husband passed away, and as a Muslim woman, she couldn’t go out except for work. So she had to stop treatment.
Unfortunately, her leg got infected again after consuming something ‘harmful’. This time, we treated her faster and managed to heal her leg again naturally. What mattered was getting her to walk again. Stories like these make us very happy because the patients trust us deeply.
You won’t need to rely on lifetime medications like those for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high glucose. In TCM, when you’re cured, you’re truly cured.
How do you approach complex cases such as stroke recovery?
Stroke recovery is very fast with acupuncture. There are three types of strokes. The mildest affects the mouth, face, and voice. The second affects one hand and one leg on the same side. The most dangerous is when the patient becomes unconscious and remains in the ICU for years. If treated early, before the muscles harden, the results are very good.
Women’s health is also a key focus of your clinic. What TCM techniques or treatments do you find most effective for issues such as infertility or menstrual pain?
My wife specialises in TCM for women’s health. We’ve had cases where women tried IVF ten times without success. After seeing us, they conceived naturally and had healthy babies. One very pale and skinny girl got pregnant just one month after marriage.
Natural methods not only help with conception but also result in healthier babies with stronger immune systems. We’ve also helped young girls who come to us for menstrual pain. We use acupuncture, massage, and natural herbs.
What is your vision for the future of TCM in Singapore, and how do you hope to contribute to its growth and acceptance?
I hope TCM in Singapore will remain homegrown and that Singaporeans will appreciate and use it properly. I also hope for greater integration and acceptance of TCM in hospitals. Currently, Western medicine only understands about 10 to 15% of TCM.
They see TCM as alternative medicine, like small animals walking around a big elephant. As a fourth-generation practitioner, I hope to preserve these skills and ensure TCM remains sustainable because it is natural, effective, and fast.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I’ve trained about eight to ten doctors who have gone on to practice independently. My goal is to train my children as well. I hope they will expand and strengthen homegrown TCM practices.
I also focus on educating patients. Every last Saturday of the month from 7 to 9 pm, I conduct English seminars on TCM. My wife holds Chinese seminars on the first Saturday of the month. These seminars are always full, and attendees often share success stories. While I don’t know what will happen in five years, I will continue promoting and educating people about TCM.
Connect with Dr. Joseph: AnnieTiang, Instagram and Facebook.
