OUT OF HIS HANDS

Meet Chris Leong, the Malaysian Tit Tar sensation who has captivated millions all over the world

- Lynette Ow.

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.

Over the past eight years, Leong’s videos have gained millions of views, sparking enthusiasm for alternative medicine and wellness, with viewers experiencing 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.

Growing up in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, the 48-year-old shares that his passion comes from a lifetime of exposure to the practice.