HONG KONG: Patients suffering from asthma and allergic rhinitis now have the option to try Tian Jiu, a Chinese medical treatment newly introduced by the Hospital Authority (HA). The new. treatment stands as an alternative to traditional steroids which may cause side effects.

Tian Jiu therapy will be available at the 13 Chinese Medicine clinics under the HA starting in mid-July.

"By using this medicine, we hope to reduce the number of episodes (in winter)," said Advisor (Integrative Medicine) Vivian Wong Taam Chi-woon.

She added the Chinese method provides one more option for patients.

About a third of Hong Kong's population suffers from asthma, while about 8 percent suffers from nasal allergy.

Symptoms often become more serious during October and November owing to the changing weather which causes a reduction of moisture in the air.

Tian Jiu therapy uses specially-made Chinese medicine applied to a patient's acupuncture points to achieve preventive and remedial effects.

In HA's analysis of past journals, Tian Jiu therapy has proven effective in suppressing the onset of symptoms.

Patients can begin making appointments by telephone immediately. They will receive three treatments on July 14, 24 and August 13, the three hottest days of the year in the Chinese calendar.

Guo Yuanqi, Professional Consultant of the School of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explained that these are the best times for patients to absorb the medicine.

Wong added the therapy will not cross-react with other medicines used to treat the two diseases.

Each treatment will last for an hour for an adult, and 20 minutes for a child. Patients must stay in the clinics throughout the treatment. The cost per treatment will range from HK$120 to HK$200.

Eric Ziea Tat-chi, HA's Project Officer (Chinese Medicine Information & Research), said each clinic can handle 100 to 150 patients per day.

The only undesirable side effect is the possibility that blisters may form on the patients' skin. Reddening of the skin may also occur. Ziea said these are normal reactions.

In addition, the therapy does not apply for people with acute onset of asthma, fever, diabetes, skin allergy, sore throat, tuberculosis, poor heart or lung function, pregnant women and children under the age of two.

(HK Edition 07/04/2009 page1)