About Dr. Heidi Kao, DAOM, LAc, MSTCM
About Dr. Heidi Kao, DAOM, LAc
Dr. Heidi Kao is a licensed acupuncturist in the state of California with extensive training and over 24 years of clinical experience. She holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) and a Master’s of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSOM). Specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Dr. Kao integrates a variety of healing practices, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na (therapeutic massage), cupping, and moxibustion.
In addition to her expertise in TCM, Dr. Kao practices functional medicine, combining holistic approaches with modern diagnostics. She often incorporates blood tests and other lab work to provide a comprehensive, integrative treatment plan tailored to each individual.
Dr. Kao’s journey into medicine began with a strong foundation in science. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Anthropology, after initially pursuing pre-med courses. During her studies, Dr. Kao realized her passion for a more holistic approach to healing, which led her to pursue a four-year Master’s program in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This deepened her appreciation for this ancient practice, which has endured for over 4,000 years.
After receiving her acupuncture license in California, Dr. Kao expanded her education internationally. She spent seven months in Shanghai, China, studying at various hospitals and specializing in multiple areas of Chinese medicine. In 2010, she completed her clinical Doctorate, focusing on Women’s Health and Pain Management, and continued her clinical work at Shanghai University Hospital. For her doctoral research, Dr. Kao conducted a groundbreaking study that demonstrated how acupuncture and herbal medicine, when combined with in vitro fertilization (IVF), significantly improved pregnancy rates.
With over two decades of experience, Dr. Kao is passionate about providing personalized care to her patients, helping them achieve balance and wellness through both traditional and integrative methods.
I am an avid believer in prevention and holistic healing as well as integrated healing. I feel that Western and Eastern Medicine can be complementary healing modalities and should not and cannot be mutually exclusive. I also feel that patients that take an active role in healing are much more responsive to any kind of treatment and advocate this sort of lifestyle in all of my patients. Most importantly, I feel that patients need to be informed and stay informed on all areas of the health and life in general.
I see a large number of women for fertility and have very high success rates because we are working with the individual on so many levels. Recently, a 46 year old woman conceived and delivered a beautiful baby naturally after many failed IVF attempts. I really enjoy working with women through this difficult time because I had a long and difficult struggle with fertility myself.
In my spare time, I love running, cooking and playing with my two little guys and loving every moment as a mom!
Contact me at drheidikao@heidikao.com
