Meet Dr. Li & Dr. Shi: Your partners 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.
The Art of Medicine and the Art of War: Dr. Li’s Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dr. Li dreamed of becoming a doctor from an early age. Before attending Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, she had the privilege of studying under Dr. Lin, a fourth-generation practitioner from a family lineage of traditional Chinese medicine. This marked the beginning of her formal journey into Chinese medicine and clinical practice.
During their very first lesson, Dr. Lin did not begin by teaching her how to diagnose illnesses, prescribe herbal formulas, or perform acupuncture. Instead, he gave her two classical Chinese texts:
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine and The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
Dr. Lin told her:
Treating illness is like commanding an army, and prescribing medicine is like deploying soldiers. A truly skilled physician does not simply wait for disease to appear and then try to defeat it. The highest level of medicine is to recognize imbalance early, correct it, and prevent illness before it develops.
That first lesson profoundly influenced Dr. Li and laid the foundation for her lifelong philosophy of patient care.
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine states:
“To treat disease after it has already developed, or to restore order after chaos has already begun, is like digging a well only after becoming thirsty or forging weapons only after battle has started. Is that not already too late?”
This passage represents one of the central principles of traditional Chinese medicine: treating disease before it arises, known as Zhi Wei Bing (治未病).
This concept goes beyond preventing illness. It also means recognizing and correcting subtle imbalances before they progress into clearly defined disease.
Sun Tzu’s The Art of War teaches:
“To win every battle is not the highest form of excellence. The highest form of excellence is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
Winning one hundred battles does not represent the greatest wisdom. The highest achievement is to resolve the threat through foresight and strategy before direct conflict becomes necessary.
The same principle applies to medicine.
When treatment begins only after a disease has become severe, aggressive medications, complex procedures, or major surgery may be required. Even if the disease is eventually controlled, the body may already have paid a heavy price.
The highest level of medicine is therefore not simply to fight disease successfully, but to identify risks early, correct underlying imbalances, and reduce the likelihood that the battle will ever need to occur.
The Shared Wisdom of Chinese Medicine and The Art of War
One classic teaches the art of healing, while the other teaches the art of warfare. Though their purposes may seem very different, at their highest level, they share a remarkably similar philosophy.
Highest level
The Medical Way: Treat disease before it arises by restoring balance and preventing illness before it develops.
The Strategic Way: Win without fighting by resolving threats through strategy before war begins.
Next level
The Medical Way: Intervene at the earliest signs by recognizing subtle changes and preventing further progression.
The Strategic Way: Defeat the enemy’s plans and alliances, preventing conflict through strategy and diplomacy.
Lower level
The Medical Way: Treat established disease after illness has already developed.
The Strategic Way: Engage the enemy directly in open battle.
Last resort
The Medical Way: Use aggressive medication, surgery, or other intensive interventions only after the disease has become severe.
The Strategic Way: Attack a fortified city and accept heavy losses.
Together, these two ancient classics reveal a timeless truth:
The highest form of treatment is not to fight a devastating battle against disease, but to prevent that battle from becoming necessary.
This philosophy continues to guide Dr. Li’s clinical practice today. She looks beyond a patient’s immediate symptoms to understand the deeper patterns and underlying causes of imbalance.
By integrating traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, functional nutrition, and lifestyle guidance, Dr. Li helps patients recognize early warning signs, restore balance, and strengthen the body’s natural ability to heal and regulate itself.
Preventing illness requires medical foresight. Winning without battle reflects the highest wisdom of healing.
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 is a certified functional nutrition counselor with a distinctive clinical approach that blends the time-honored wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine with functional nutrition and modern metabolic health principles. Rather than simply addressing symptoms, she explores the underlying connections between pain, inflammation, digestive health, blood sugar imbalance, stress, sleep patterns, and lifestyle factors.
Patients value Dr. Li's attentive listening, her ability to explain complex health concerns in clear, accessible terms, and her expertise in creating personalized care plans. These plans may incorporate skilled acupuncture, manual therapy, targeted nutritional guidance, and practical lifestyle adjustments—empowering patients to better understand their bodies and take an active role in their healing journey.
Dr. Li specializes in liver and gallbladder health, gut health, and restoring balance to the gastrointestinal microbiome.
Beliefs that guide our practice
Dr. Li believes that true healing begins with understanding the whole person—not simply diagnosing disease or suppressing symptoms. She recognizes the body’s innate capacity to heal and rebalance when underlying factors such as inflammation, nutrition, metabolism, stress, sleep, and lifestyle are thoughtfully addressed.
By integrating the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with functional nutrition and modern health education, Dr. Li works to identify and address the root causes of health concerns. Her goal is to help patients create meaningful, sustainable improvements in their health and overall quality of life.
At her clinic, Dr. Li fosters a welcoming, 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 steps they can take toward recovery, and—most importantly—a renewed sense of hope rather than confusion or overwhelm.
Dr. Li views healing as a collaborative journey. She is committed to supporting, educating, and empowering patients so they can move forward with 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 that transform the supermarket into a real-world classroom. She helps patients 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, creating a peaceful, 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."
— Marie R., 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.