Editor's Note:
Dr. Xin Weilun's story in the field of traditional Chinese medicine is truly admirable. His family background in a medical clinic and his passion for traditional Chinese medicine laid a solid foundation for his career path. Through innovation and development, he has made breakthroughs in the field of traditional Chinese bone-setting clinics and has applied a combination of Chinese and Western medicine therapies in his practice. During his studies in China, he achieved remarkable success and actively followed the development of China and his alma mater. As a representative young practitioner of Chinese medicine, Xin Weilun has been honored with the World's Top 10 Outstanding Young Persons award, providing encouragement and inspiration to learners of traditional Chinese medicine. His story inspires attention and prospects for the development of traditional Chinese medicine, injecting new energy into the industry. This interview will delve into Dr. Xin Weilun's experiences and insights, aiming to contribute to the field of traditional Chinese medicine and ignite passion in more individuals.
Inheritance and Innovation of a Traditional Chinese Medical Family
"Why does this place look different from a traditional Chinese bone-setting clinic? It's more like a Western medical clinic." Upon visiting Dr. Xin Weilun's healthcare center, Sin Osteopathic, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, one would notice the resemblance to a Western medical clinic. Dr. Xin Weilun, the third-generation heir of the clinic, explained with a smile that he enjoys innovation, which led him to transform the clinic by integrating orthopedics, spinal manipulation, physical therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Coming from a family rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, with both his father and grandfather being bone-setting physicians, Xin Weilun grew up in a medical clinic and gained some understanding of traditional Chinese medicine from an early age. Bone-setting and orthopedics were everyday matters to him. In addition to pursuing a traditional Chinese medicine course at the Malaysian Medical Association, he strengthened his foundation in acupuncture and massage. In 2018, he furthered his knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine at Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, under the tutelage of Professor Chen Zhaohui in orthopedics. Xin Weilun believes that Chinese and Western medicine can be effectively combined in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Western medicine's dynamic therapy bed, which aids in the stretching of the spine and muscles, can enhance the effectiveness of bone-setting procedures. Thus, he introduced advanced instruments from Europe and the United States, establishing the first four-in-one clinic in Malaysia. Within one clinic, patients can receive services in bone-setting, spinal manipulation, traditional Chinese medicine, and physical therapy, eliminating the need to travel to multiple places for different specialized treatments. Presently, Xin Weilun also collaborates with hospitals, treating patients referred to him by hospitals. He explained that hospitals tend to rely more on injections, medication, and surgeries, but not all patients are suitable for surgical procedures. Therefore, hospitals refer some patients who can be treated using traditional Chinese medicine methods. "In the past, people might have considered traditional Chinese medicine or bone-setting physicians inferior to Western medicine, but not anymore," he pointed out. He emphasized that Chinese and Western medicine are complementary, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Consequently, traditional Chinese medicine can fill the gaps where Western medicine falls short, and the two can cooperate with each other.
An Indissoluble Bond with China
"This cervical pillow is the research outcome from my studies in China." Xin Weilun pointed at the displayed products while introducing them. Xin Weilun continued to talk about his research during his study of orthopedics at Anhui University of Chinese Medicine. His master's thesis focused on the observation of the efficacy of a self-designed medical pillow for cervical spine treatment. Xin Weilun admitted that he himself has cervical spine issues, and in his clinic, he often encounters patients with cervical spondylosis. Thus, he hoped to develop a pillow that could treat cervical spine problems. "After receiving bone-setting treatment here, many patients would experience a relapse shortly after returning home, and a significant possibility is the lack of a suitable pillow." The height and firmness of the pillow not only affect sleep quality but also impact the alignment of the spine and neck and may lead to cervical spine issues. Thus, he had the idea to develop a cervical pillow and spent two years experimenting with numerous prototypes before finding a satisfactory design. The pillow he developed can be manually adjusted for height, conforming to ergonomic principles, and helps patients maintain the correct posture after bone-setting procedures. In 2021, Xin Weilun received the Malaysian Top 10 Outstanding Young Persons award in the field of medical innovation for his self-designed pillow. In late 2022, he received the World's Top 10 Outstanding Young Persons award once again for his innovations in traditional Chinese medicine, becoming the first traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to receive this award since its inception.
When discussing his experiences in China, Xin Weilun expressed his nostalgia. He has always been attentive to China's developments. During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in China in 2020, when he heard about the shortage of medical supplies in affected areas, he tirelessly sought out supplies and delivered them to frontline healthcare workers in China as soon as possible. He believes that his progress would not have been possible without his experiences and observations during his studies in China, which broadened his horizons. He was inspired by the scale and systems of Chinese traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, sparking his desire to establish a traditional Chinese medicine hospital in Malaysia. In the future, he hopes to establish a Chinese medicine hospital in Malaysia, using his knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine to help more patients.
Xin Weilun has been adorned with numerous accolades, achieving a multitude of awards. He was recognized as the youngest recipient of the Golden Spine Award by the World Spine Federation and has been honored with the Malaysian and World's Top 10 Outstanding Young Persons awards. As a new-generation promoter of traditional Chinese medicine worldwide, Xin Weilun remains humble and believes in doing his best in everything. Even after receiving awards, he does not rest on his laurels. He continues to engage in the continuous development of his own brand of traditional Chinese medicine products. Over the years, he has also conducted public lectures on traditional Chinese medicine and provided free traditional Chinese medicine treatment services to nursing homes and other institutions, aiming to contribute to the global dissemination and development of traditional Chinese medicine.
