Cover Chris Leong has been a Tit Tar practitioner for more than 40 years (Photo: Fady Younis)
Chris Leong has been a Tit Tar practitioner for more than 40 years (Photo: Fady Younis)
1 / 1
Meet Chris Leong, the Malaysian Tit Tar sensation who has captivated millions all over the world
Chris Leong presses his palms against the patient’s shoulders. There are flickers of tension etched across the patient’s face. A moment of silence as he prepares for the adjustment, and then—a quick, deft twist of his hands. There’s an audible crack, clear and satisfying. Like a spell unbound, the patient’s face melts from a wince into visible relief. “Wow,” the patient sighs, his shoulders lighter.
The viewer feels it, too; the sound, the shift, it’s oddly addictive. Each crack and shift delivers a surge of vicarious satisfaction. This is the typical viral video content from Leong, a globally renowned Tit Tar master and bone-setting expert known for bringing the ancient art of Chinese bone alignment to an international audience. He’s recognisable by his millions of fans from Singapore and Indonesia to Dubai and New York.
Read more: 6 chiropractic, physical rehabilitation, and wellness services for your needs
Over the last eight years, Leong’s videos have garnered millions of views and ignited enthusiasm around alternative medicine and wellness. For many viewers, these transformations offer an almost visceral catharsis.
The magnetic satisfaction of healing videos
Studies have shown that humans are inherently drawn to visual evidence of transformation, an attraction linked to the brain’s reward system, which responds positively to observing change and improvement. In addition, the sensation of sights and sounds with the bone adjustments echo lends itself naturally to the ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) trend popular on social media.
Leong himself, with a perpetual smile, is full of charisma and very engaging to watch. His jovial personality, combined with genuine warmth and confidence, is as much a part of the appeal as the realignment itself. His approachability and humour transform what might be a clinical procedure into a performance that’s both educational and deeply human.
See also: In perfect alignment: In conversation with the country’s top chiropractors
Growing up in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, the 48-year-old shares that his passion is grounded in a lifetime of exposure to the practice.
“My father ran a martial arts school and taught lion dancing. Naturally, with all the sparring, students often got injured, so my father started using traditional treatments, which we call Tit Tar. It’s essentially bone setting, and a lot of it involves massage and alignment to heal injuries.”
Above Leong is a leading Tit Tar practitioner in Malaysia who uses traditional methodology to help clients achieve wellness and body balance
Leong is a leading Tit Tar practitioner in Malaysia who uses traditional methodology to help clients achieve wellness and body balance
1 / 1
What is Tit Tar?
Rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, Tit Tar’s bone-setting practice originated over two millennia ago during the Three Kingdoms period. Originally developed to treat warriors’ injuries on the battlefield, Tit Tar became a trusted form of physical therapy for those with dislocations, fractures, and musculoskeletal misalignments. The technique combines deep manual manipulation, realignment of bones and joints, and, traditionally, the use of herbal ointments to accelerate healing.
Practitioners believe that by restoring proper bone and joint alignment, the body can heal itself, reducing pain and improving function. Over time, it became an art that transcended mere physical adjustments—it was a holistic practice that addressed both structural and energetic imbalances, underscoring a philosophy that views the body as an interconnected system.
“Martial arts are essential in Tit Tar because the physical training helps practitioners understand body movement. We know how to manipulate the body, where to apply pressure, and how to manage strength. This makes our methods very precise and effective.”
From Chinatown to the world stage
In 2016, by which time Leong had already garnered more than two decades of experience, he treated a young Malay girl with a shoulder dislocation from an injury. Her father, a military officer, filmed it. Leong’s technique alleviated her pain, allowing her to raise her arm with ease—a transformation so profound and quick that her father posted the video online on Malay social media platform Siakap Keli. Within days, it spread like wildfire. “From that day, people from all backgrounds started coming in,” he says, noting the newfound diversity in his clientele.
Leong describes how, after his video went viral, the number of patients increased from 20-30 a day to about 300 daily, with people of various backgrounds and from different places lining up for his services. This was his turning point.
Don’t miss: These health and wellness leaders are combining traditional Chinese medicine with modern breakthroughs
Leong explains that his clientele was originally predominantly Chinese and skewed older, with back and neck pain. Today, his clientele ranges from local residents seeking pain relief to international high-profile clients, including royals, like the Sultan of Brunei and the King of Bhutan. Celebrities like Jackie Chan and his renowned stunt team have also reportedly sought Leong’s care to treat injuries from action scenes.
This demand has led Leong to expand his reach internationally, with centres now established in Singapore, Indonesia, and even as far as the UK.
The modern epidemic: back, neck, and shoulder pain
Issues with bone alignment are becoming increasingly common worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 619 million people, or eight per cent of the global population, were affected by low back pain (LBP) in 2020, with projections estimating an increase to 843 million cases by 2050.
The prevalence of neck pain has also surged, correlating with our increasingly screen-centric lives. The phenomenon of “tech neck”—a condition caused by the constant downward angle of one’s head when using mobile devices—and “frozen shoulder”, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, often results in prolonged immobility. These conditions have become more prevalent as individuals spend extended periods looking down at their devices, leading to musculoskeletal strain.
Read more: Unlock the health benefits of soleus push-ups: the ultimate desk exercise
For Leong, the types of cases he treats often reflect cultural and lifestyle nuances. Malaysians, who tend to sit cross-legged or spend prolonged hours driving, frequently suffer from knee and lower back pain, he says. In contrast, in countries like Japan, Hong Kong, or Singapore, where commutes on public transportation involve constant gripping and balancing, shoulder issues are more prevalent. “In New York, I’ve seen many chefs or people in kitchens, and they often have lower back and neck issues,” which are occupational hazards of long hours in confined spaces.
Today his social accounts across Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have collectively amassed 19.6 million followers.
Asked for his top health tip for everyone, Leong says it all begins with posture. “The human structure is like a building. If the foundation is strong, everything else stays in place. So, take care of your posture—it’s the base for a healthy body.”
Tit Tar’s holistic roots, drawing from centuries-old wisdom, may offer a unique allure in an era where many feel disconnected from their bodies.
A global healer with a mission
Leong’s success also reflects a broader shift towards alternative wellness solutions. Leong explains that many patients come to him after trying multiple other treatments, indicating he often serves as a last resort for those who feel out of options or “they feel they have no hope anymore”. Beyond the viral videos and the impressive list of clients, his guiding principle is to restore not just physical health but a sense of harmony within the body.
Leong’s high demand has led him to travel from Malaysia to the Middle East, where he’s treated clients in Dubai, Kuwait, and Egypt. And alongside his practice, Leong mentors students worldwide, passing down techniques refined over generations, so the art of Tit Tar may endure. With that, his Facebook page, now with millions of followers, has become a digital archive for his treatments. “It’s a way to pass this knowledge down,” he explains. Each video is a reference for future practitioners, a visual legacy documenting real treatments for ailments like frozen shoulders and lower back pain. “It’s not just for show,” he emphasises, seeing his online presence as a way to safeguard and share this ancient knowledge.
“A lot of people think Tit Tar is just basic or even rough—like anyone can do it without training. But this is a true art, passed down through generations. There’s a lot of knowledge involved, and we use precise techniques. Now, it’s starting to be recognised officially, and I hope it continues to be respected and understood.”
NOW READ
Staying steady: How to manage vertigo and reduce fall risk
The science behind 140-year-old traditional Chinese medicine group Eu Yan Sang
How women can exercise their way to a longer, healthier life
Credits
Photography: Fady Younis
Topics
Best of Tatler Asia video highlights
Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
About
Lynette loves travelling and dancing to Latin music almost as much as she enjoys period films and pastry desserts. She is constantly in search of the perfect nude lipstick and finds her best ideas through walks in nature.
Work
As the Editor-in-Chief of Tatler Malaysia, Lynette leads the content teams for print, digital and social media platforms of the brand. She has over 20 years experience in media, having been editorial director and editor-in-chief for lifestyle titles such as Cleo, ELLE, Esquire, Men’s Health, and Women’s Health.
Follow her on Instagram @lynette_ow or LinkedIn
