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Woman, 57, gets ‘spider web’ burn from Farrer Park TCM clinic therapy lamp, seeks S$7,000 compensation
The woman said her son joked that she should tattoo a spider over the scar.
Rafael See Toh
May 14, 2026, 07:19 PM
Photos from Shin Min Daily News & Google Maps
A 57-year-old woman suffered a "spider web"-shaped burn on her back as a result of an infrared therapy lamp that was used on her during a massage session at a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic.
The session occurred at Tang Shan TCM & Massage at City Square Mall on Jan. 23, Shin Min Daily News reported.
Massage
The woman, Lin (transliterated), told Shin Min that she went to the clinic for a massage treatment by a therapist identified as Jennifer.
The therapist apparently used an infrared therapy lamp to help relax Lin’s muscles during the massage.
She then attempted to move the lamp away using her foot.
However, she accidentally knocked the lamp over, causing it to fall onto Lin’s back.
The woman's back was burned as a result.
Burn
Lin claimed she felt intense pain after the incident and went to a nearby clinic for treatment.
Doctors apparently told her that she suffered second-degree burns.
The burn left a “spider web” pattern on her back.
The lamp's design resembled a spider web.
Lin said her son joked that she should tattoo a spider over the scar.
She was given painkillers and prescribed medication.
Lin added that she spent the following month in pain.
She could not wear a bra and had to sleep on her stomach due to the discomfort.
Felt like an attempt to shirk responsibility
The therapist who treated her apologised immediately and transferred her S$1,000 two days later.
However, Lin returned the money to the therapist as she felt the compensation should have come from the clinic.
The owner of Tang Shan TCM & Massage also contacted Lin and said it would take responsibility, but he allegedly insisted that Lin undergo an examination by the clinic’s physician or a doctor appointed by them before compensation would be considered.
Lin felt that the owner’s response seemed like an attempt to shirk responsibility.
She later made a complaint to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board and filed a police report.
Compensation for further treatment
Lin claimed to have spent more than S$560 on medical expenses and believes further laser treatment at an aesthetic clinic may be needed to fully remove the scars.
She estimated that laser treatments for her injuries could cost between S$5,000 and S$6,000, and she felt that the TCM clinic should bear the costs.
As such, she requested S$7,000, taking into account future medical consultations and transport expenses.
Clinic has been actively responding
According to the director of Tang Shan TCM & Massage, Max, the clinic had been actively responding to Lin’s requests and had no intention of avoiding responsibility.
Speaking to Shin Min, Max showed messages stating that the clinic was willing to cover medical expenses that arose from her injury.
If Lin did not wish to accept the clinic’s physician's medical opinion, they hoped she could provide them with her treatment plan so they could pay the related medical costs, the messages read.
Lim responded that she did not want to sign up for any treatment package before the compensation arrangements were made clear.
Therefore, she was unable to provide quotations or treatment plans.
