Telemedicine, "Traditional Chinese Medicine" (TCM), and You!
What is Telemedicine/Telehealth?
Telemedicine/Telehealth is a recent breakthrough in the medical field that is transforming the relationship between patients and healthcare providers!
It now gives you the opportunity to continue health care without having to be face-to-face in an office, and an alternative way to improve your health situation.
Through the use of a HIPAA approved portal, you can be seen in the privacy of your own home, or practically anywhere. You can then video conference/interact with the healthcare provider. This allows you to see each other in real time and discuss your medical history, symptoms, diagnoses, and strategies, and deal with any health problems or situations.
How Can Telemedicine/Telehealth be Useful in Acupuncture and "Traditional Chinese Medicine"?
Although acupuncture treatments can not be done without physical contact, other elements of “Traditional Chinese Medicine" (TCM) can!
Herbology, acupuncture, tuina, cupping, moxibustion and diet are some other important aspects of TCM; and are used mostly in conjunction with Herbs and herbal therapy in China.
The importance of herbal therapy in "Traditional Chinese Medicine" and in China, cannot be overstated; since it has been used in China for thousands of years, and is still extremely important in the Chinese health care system today.
Dr. Lin has many years of education, experience(herbal and otherwise), and clinical research in China to help in her consultation and treatments.
Telemedicine gives her the tools she needs to look at your tongue, listen to your medical history and complaints, and deliver a TCM diagnosis and treatment plan.
She can then advise, set up a treatment program and prescribe herbs according to your specific health condition and needs, to treat, balance your body and boost your immunity.
What Should I Expect in My TCM Telemedicine visit?
In a telemedicine/telehealth visit with Dr. Lin, you will receive a link at the time of your scheduled appointment. You will then click on the link and it will bring you to the video conference with Dr. Lin.
Dr. Lin will then ask you questions about your medical history and any complaints and symptoms you may be experiencing.
She will ask to see your tongue in order to make a diagnosis. This is a normal diagnosis for "Traditional Chinese Medicine".
After your consultation, Dr. Lin will advise, prescribe herbs and give you guidelines for treating your health situation............. And hopefully, you will soon be back on your way to health and happiness!
Herbs are available for scheduled pick-up at our office location, 784 U.S. Hwy 1, Suite 4, North Palm Beach, FL 33408. Thank You.
A Word from Dr. Lin
What is “Traditional Chinese Medicine”?
“Traditional Chinese Medicine” Generalized:
“Traditional Chinese Medicine”. For short is TCM. TCM includes Chinese Herbology (the most important part), Acupuncture, Tuna, Guasha, qigong, ear seeds and so on.
“Traditional Chinese Medicine”Narrow sense：Chinese Herbology-Herbs only.
A TCM diagnosis of disease is based on: looking, sound, asking, and taking pulse. Four steps. It is well known that “Traditional Chinese Medicine” doctors pay attention to "look, hear and ask". This method of diagnosis has been circulating for thousands of years, but what is the meaning and purpose of "looking, hearing and asking" respectively?
Looking: looking is looking at your tongue’s color, weather it is red, slight red, dark red …; tongue body is small, normal size, or bigger…? Coating is thin or thick? Coating color is yellow or white…
Sound: Sound is hearing your voice. If your voice sounds weak or strong…?
Asking: Consultation, mainly to seek knowledge of the patient's conscious symptoms, and the course of the disease. It has always been very important, no matter how powerful a doctor is, he needs to communicate with the patient by asking. Such as your health history, your diet, your emotion, stress level and so on.
Pulse: taking your pulse. Taking the pulse is only a reference to detect the disease machine.
In four step diagnosis procedures, taking the pulse is last. Look, sound and ask are the main parts, taking pulse is only a reference. You do not need pulse to diagnose the disease. So, it would not affect the correct diagnosis without taking the pulse during Telemedicine.
In these difficult times, "Traditional Chinese Medicine" should make good progress entering the era of Telemedicine. Striving for the opportunity to treat patients, but also bring great convenience to patients. They can enjoy health guidance and treatment at home. We have reason to believe that Telemedicine is the future development trend and will benefit more and more difficult and complicated patients.
Does “TCM” work if you only use Chinese Herbs without Acupuncture?
Chinese Herbs play a very important role in “TCM”. In China, an overwhelming majority of patients only seek Chinese Herbs and treat their problems without acupuncture. The reason for it are two: First of all, Acupuncture patients in China need to get treatment every day for about 10 days( it really depends on patient’s situation), and then take a break before starting another course of treatment, which is not convenient for full time workers. Second: The scope of acupuncture treatment is not as large in “Traditional Chinese Medicine,” as compared to Herbs.
Of course, treatment will work better with Chinese Herbs and acupuncture together. But to avoid any cross-infection, Chinese Herbs will be the best choice. Because it has helped so many Chinese people for thousands of years.
What services can be provided with Telemedicine
Telemedicine can be used for a wide variety of health problems. Here’s a short list of common conditions that Chinese Herbs can treat via Telemedicine:
Allergies, Arthritic Pain, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds and Flu, Diarrhea, Infections, Insect bites, Pharyngitis, Conjunctivitis, Rashes, Respiratory Infections, Sinusitis, Skin Inflammations, Cellulitis, Sore Throats, Sprains & Strains, Bladder Infections, UTIs, Vomiting and so much more!
Thank You….Dr. Lin