About Dr. Heidi Kao, DAOM, LAc, MSTCM
About Dr. Heidi Kao, DAOM, LAc – Integrative Medicine in Oakland
A Leader in Holistic Healing
Dr. Heidi Kao is a licensed acupuncturist and integrative medicine practitioner in Oakland, California, with over 25 years of clinical experience. She holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) and a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTCM), specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, herbal medicine, and functional nutrition.
Dr. Kao blends ancient healing practices with modern diagnostics to provide a comprehensive, personalized approach to wellness. Her goal is to restore balance, support natural healing, and empower patients to achieve lasting health.
Integrative Expertise
Dr. Kao integrates multiple modalities for a holistic approach:
Acupuncture Services in Oakland – balancing Qi, blood, and organ systems to support overall health
TCM Herbal Therapy – tailored herbal formulas for women’s health, pain management, and general wellness
Nutrition Therapy in Oakland – functional nutrition and dietary guidance to complement acupuncture and herbal treatments
Facial rejuvenation with microneedling
Functional medicine assessments, including lab tests and diagnostics
This integrative approach allows Dr. Kao to provide personalized, evidence-informed care that addresses both immediate concerns and long-term wellness.
Training and Global Experience
Dr. Kao’s journey began with a strong foundation in science:
BA in Medical Anthropology, UC Berkeley – initially pre-med
Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine – deepening her understanding of holistic healing
Extensive clinical training in Shanghai, China – focused on women’s health, pain management, and hospital-based TCM
Clinical Doctorate (DAOM) research – demonstrated that acupuncture and herbal medicine, when combined with IVF, significantly improve pregnancy rates
Her global experience and decades of practice have shaped her unique approach to holistic, patient-centered care.
Personalized, Patient-Focused Care
Dr. Kao believes that each patient is unique. She evaluates diet, lifestyle, lab results, and health history to create customized integrative treatment plans. Her care emphasizes:
Restoring balance through acupuncture and herbal medicine
Supporting reproductive health and fertility
Reducing pain and inflammation
Enhancing overall vitality and resilience
Learn more about her holistic approach through our Holistic Healing in Oakland services and explore tips in our Healing Tips & Resources.
Life Beyond the Clinic
Outside her practice, Dr. Kao enjoys:
Exploring nutrition and functional foods
Traveling and learning international wellness practices
Supporting community health initiatives
Her personal commitment to wellness informs her patient care, helping her guide patients toward balanced, empowered living.
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New to our practice?
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