Holistic medicine comes to Bangkok in a form of a franchise of Germany's famed Villa Medica
Villa Medica, the new holistic clinic inside Bangkok Mediplex, is receiving a warm welcome from Thais and Westerners seeking alternative treatments for their ailments even though the bill, in some cases, isn't far off Bt1 million. The centre's clients include celebrities who have long term symptoms that are more irritating than life threatening, such as an allergic rash, while others are seeking help for more serious conditions like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.
A franchise of Germany's holistic and alternative medicine centre of the same name founded by Dr Burkhhard Aschoff, Villa Medica's revolves around the cells, the smallest micro unit in our body.
"Thai people don't know much about their bodies. When they get sick, they hand over all responsibility to the doctor. But our wellbeing is something very personal and we need to be more aware," says the centre's vice president Yuranan "Sam" Pamornmontri, an actor turned politician who founded the clinic with Bangkok Mediplex owner Siriya Thepcharoen. Siriya needed no persuading. A former patient of Villa Medica in Germany, she asked for - and was granted - the Bangkok franchise.
Practitioners of cell therapy believe that when we become sick, it's because the cell in the affected area is weak and unhealthy. The first step, therefore, is to heal the damaged cell. If the damage is such that it cannot be fixed, the solution is to inject a new live cell.
This live cell is planted and grown in sheep and injected into the sick area where it stimulates the body's own healing and revitalising power. Cell therapy is like a wake-up call for the patients' dormant healing ability.
In Thailand, there is, as yet, no legal approval for preparing live cells, so this is done at Villa Medica in Germany.
Fresh cell treatment is done by a qualified physician. A preliminary medical investigation is necessary to determine that the patient is suitable for cell therapy and to detect risks from infectious or inflammatory processes.
The therapy can lead to an improvement or normalisation of organ functions and the final results can last, depending on the case, from six months to many years.
Businessman Thanachart Puangpee is one patient who has tried this treatment to heal his liver after suffering from the Hepatitis B virus for decades.
"So far my liver is back to normal and the virus load is zero," he says. He continues to undergo regular six monthly check ups and is aware that he may need more injections of live cells in due course.
Such treatments don't come cheap - the cost is at least Bt500,000 a pop - but for those suffering from multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's and who have the money - live cell therapy can be a life-saver.
However, as with orthodox medicine, the result of the therapy depends on individual conditions as well.
The centre also offers alternative check-ups that may signal early onset of disease before the symptom get bad, therefore allowing patients to make early and informed decisions about treatment protocols.
The check-up is different from what you'd expect at a hospital, with the examination of live blood cells through a power microscope and a Bio Body Scan via Electro Interstitial Scan machine. This machine measures and interprets resistance to the flow of electric current through interstitial fluid (fluid between the cells), with the organs showing on the screen in different colours. For instance, if the heart glows in red, then there's a problem that requires a further check by doctors.
"It's a preventive check up and patients with a problem should then go on to see to see a specialist at the hospital. We are not against conventional medicine. We still have to go to see the hospital if we are sick," says Yuranan.
Villa Medica (Thailand) in on the third floor of Bangkok Mediplex Building on Sukhumvit Road, near the corner of Soi 42 (BTS: Ekkamai). Call (02) 712 0333 or visit www.VillaMedicaThailand.com.
