Safety, side effects and when to see a doctor
TCM can be a gentle addition to your care, and it still deserves the same caution as any treatment. Here's what we check, what you might feel, and when we'll tell you to see a doctor instead.
Who treats you
Every treatment is given by Jelly (Koh Jie Li), registered with the Malaysian Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Council, certificate number PTC-PPPB2026/33662. You can check her registration on the Ministry of Health's online register.
Common, usually mild side effects
- Acupuncture: a small bruise or a drop of blood at a needle point, brief soreness, or feeling tired or light-headed.
- Cupping and gua sha: red or purple marks that fade in 3 to 10 days, and mild soreness like after exercise.
- Moxibustion: warmth and redness. Tell us straight away if anything feels too hot.
- Herbal formulas: an upset stomach in some people. Stop and message us if you feel unwell.
Serious problems from acupuncture are rare when it's done by a trained practitioner with sterile, single-use needles.
Medicines we need to know about
- Blood thinners such as warfarin, or aspirin taken daily
- Hormone treatments, the pill, HRT, or fertility medicines
- Medicines for diabetes, blood pressure, the heart, or epilepsy
- Cancer treatment, now or in the past
Some herbs can change how medicines work. Please tell us about everything you take, including supplements. Never stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Some treatments can be used in pregnancy with care, while certain points, strong techniques on the lower back and abdomen, and many herbs are avoided, especially before 37 weeks. Please tell us you're pregnant when you book, and keep your doctor informed.
Not every herb is suitable while breastfeeding. We check each formula for this before suggesting it, and we'll tell you if we'd rather avoid herbs altogether.
After a caesarean, treatment near the wound waits until your doctor confirms it has healed.
What TCM can and can't do
People commonly come to TCM for pain, tension, period discomfort, sleep and recovery. Research supports some uses more than others, and responses vary from person to person, so we can't promise a particular result.
See a doctor first if you have
- Sudden or severe pain, chest pain, or a severe headache that came on suddenly
- Bleeding during pregnancy, reduced baby movements, or bleeding after menopause
- Fever, a red or painful wound, or heavy bleeding after giving birth
- Unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool, or trouble swallowing
- Weakness or numbness on one side, or changes in your vision or speech
- Low mood that won't lift, or thoughts of harming yourself
TCM is not emergency care. In an emergency, call 999 or go to the nearest hospital.
Still have a question?
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