Meet Dr. Li: Your partner in holistic health
Discover the guiding principles behind Spine & Joint Care TCM Clinic and the dedicated practitioner committed to your well-being. Learn about Dr. Li's journey, her unique approach, and what makes her a trusted name in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
A journey of traditional wisdom
Dr. Li graduated from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and completed systematic clinical training at its affiliated teaching hospital, the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. During her education and clinical internship, she had the privilege of studying under several distinguished professors of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including Professor Mingfu Li （李明富）, a renowned specialist in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular medicine; Professor Lingxiang Hu （胡玲香）, a highly respected acupuncture expert; and Professor Zhongjia Deng (邓中甲）, a distinguished scholar in Chinese herbal formulas. Through this training, Dr. Li developed a strong foundation in TCM internal medicine, pattern differentiation and treatment, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, formula formulation, and the integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern medicine.
Professor Mingfu Li devoted his career to the clinical practice and research of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases through Traditional Chinese Medicine and integrative medicine. He served as a member of the Editorial Committee of Zhonghua Dadian (The Chinese Encyclopedia) and as Editor-in-Chief of its Medicine and Health section. Under Professor Li’s guidance and through clinical observation and practice, Dr. Li deepened her understanding of the fundamental TCM principles of holistic care, pattern differentiation, and integrative clinical thinking. This experience helped shape her belief that effective clinical care should look beyond a diagnosis or an isolated symptom and consider the interconnected factors influencing the patient’s overall health.
In acupuncture, Dr. Li had the opportunity to study under Professor Lingxiang Hu, whose acupuncture career spans more than 50 years. Professor Hu has dedicated decades to acupuncture practice, teaching, and the transmission of clinical knowledge. Her extensive experience has been systematically compiled in Eighteen Lectures on Professor Lingxiang Hu’s Clinical Acupuncture Experience, covering eighteen major topics, including meridians and acupuncture points, treatment principles and methods, needling techniques, and the differentiation and treatment of various conditions. Through mentorship and clinical training with Professor Hu, Dr. Li strengthened her understanding of meridian and acupoint theory, pattern-based point selection, and the clinical application of acupuncture techniques. She was particularly influenced by the traditional principles of individualized treatment, pattern-based point selection, and whole-body regulation.
In Chinese herbal medicine and formula theory, Dr. Li also received instruction from Professor Zhongjia Deng, a distinguished scholar and educator in Chinese herbal formulas. Professor Deng devoted his career to the teaching, research, and academic development of Chinese herbal formula theory and served as an editor and chief editor of nationally used Chinese medicine university textbooks on herbal formulas. Under his guidance, Dr. Li further developed her understanding of formula theory, principles of prescription formulation, herb compatibility, and pattern-based prescribing, strengthening her ability to integrate TCM theory, herbal medicine, and clinical pattern differentiation.
These formative experiences—combining mentorship from respected TCM scholars with systematic clinical training—have had a lasting influence on Dr. Li’s approach to patient care. Over years of clinical practice, she has developed an integrative philosophy grounded in holistic care and TCM pattern differentiation while incorporating acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, integrative medicine, and modern approaches to health and wellness.
Dr. Li believes that meaningful healthcare should go beyond temporarily relieving symptoms. It should also seek to understand why those symptoms are occurring in the first place. For this reason, her clinical approach considers not only a patient’s immediate concerns, but also broader factors that may influence health, including nutrition, metabolism, inflammation, sleep, stress, and lifestyle. Her goal is to help each patient better understand their health and, through individualized treatment and practical health guidance, support long-term improvements in overall well-being.
Dr. Li's unique approach to healing
Dr. Li stands apart through her distinctive clinical approach, which seamlessly integrates the profound wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine with functional nutrition and modern concepts of metabolic health. Rather than just treating symptoms, she meticulously explores the complex, underlying connections between pain, inflammation, digestive health, blood sugar imbalances, stress, sleep patterns, and lifestyle factors. Patients frequently praise her attentive listening, her ability to explain intricate health issues in clear, accessible terms, and her expertise in crafting personalized treatment plans. These plans often combine expert acupuncture, manual therapy, precise nutritional guidance, and actionable lifestyle adjustments, empowering patients to truly understand their bodies and actively participate in their healing journey. Dr. Li specializes in liver and gallbladder health as well as the restoration of gastrointestinal microbiome balance.
Beliefs that guide our practice
Dr. Li firmly believes that true healing begins with understanding the whole person—not simply diagnosing disease or suppressing symptoms. She recognizes the body’s innate ability to maintain balance and believes that, when underlying factors such as inflammation, nutrition, metabolism, stress, sleep, and lifestyle are properly addressed, the body is better able to restore its natural equilibrium.
By integrating the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with functional nutrition and modern health education, Dr. Li focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health concerns. Her goal is to help patients achieve meaningful, sustainable improvements in their health and overall quality of life.
At her clinic, Dr. Li strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment where every patient feels heard, respected, safe, and genuinely cared for. She wants each patient to leave with a clear understanding of their health, practical and actionable steps toward recovery, and—most importantly—a renewed sense of hope rather than feeling confused or overwhelmed.
Dr. Li believes that healing is a collaborative journey. She is committed to supporting, educating, and empowering patients so they can move forward with greater confidence and take an active role in their own wellness.
As part of her practical approach to health education, Dr. Li also offers guided grocery-shopping classes, using the supermarket as a real-life classroom. She guids patients how to read nutrition labels, compare products, identify hidden sugars and highly processed ingredients, and make healthier food choices that support blood sugar balance, weight management, metabolic health, and long-term wellness.
The clinic also regularly offers free group meditation sessions, providing a peaceful and supportive space where participants can learn to manage stress and anxiety with greater calm, clarity, and resilience.
"Dr. Li is incredibly attentive and truly listens to my concerns. Her personalized approach has made a profound difference in my health journey. I feel empowered and more vital than ever."
— A satisfied patient from Houston, Texas
Building trust through shared values
Beyond her clinical expertise, Dr. Li fosters deep connections with her patients through shared values. She personally champions healthy living, lifelong learning, mindfulness, and compassionate service. Many of the habits she encourages in her patients—such as practicing meditation, enjoying regular exercise, and maintaining a plant-based lifestyle—are integral to her own daily routine. Understanding that lasting change requires realistic goals, she focuses on practical choices over perfection. Whether she is guiding patients through nutrition, smarter shopping, stress management, or improving daily routines, Dr. Li strives to walk alongside them. She builds trust by being approachable, honest, and genuinely committed to helping each person achieve less pain, greater vitality, and renewed confidence in their body.