Dr. Tai’s interest in medicine began early. Growing up in China, he was raised by his grandmother—an OB/GYN physician who blended Eastern and Western medicine long before it became trendy—and spent his summers at his uncle’s TCM orthopedic clinic, messing around with herbs, plasters and needles. These experiences inspired his belief that healing can be compassionate, creative and deeply integrative.

At Mahjong Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, he utilizes acupuncture, fire cupping, herbal medicine, moxibustion, tuina manipulation, pediatric tuina and nutrition counseling to help individuals of all ages feel like themselves again. He thrives on the challenge of treating patients with complex, multifaceted, not-so-ideal conditions where Chinese medicine’s holistic approach excels in addressing multiple symptoms simultaneously. He enjoys the challenge of the intricacies and excitement of the “unusual, unexplained and unknown.” So, whether you’re dealing with internal problems, gynecological concerns, neurological deficits, mental health troubles, pain that won’t quit, mysterious symptoms no one can figure out or simply want to feel more balanced — he’s here for it (and for you).

Outside of his private practice, Dr. Tai works as a clinical acupuncturist at Sutter Health’s Integrative Medicine Unit, where he treats inpatients in the Acute Rehabilitation, Oncology and Intensive Care Units as well as outpatients in the Emergency Department, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Pain Management Clinic. He is among fewer than 100 acupuncturists in the U.S. credentialed for inpatient hospital privileges and medical staff membership. At the hospital, he specializes in internal medicine, neurological conditions, cancer care, palliative care and pain management. He is also involved in collaborating with and educating Western internal medicine residents (MD/DOs) and TCM residents and leads research projects.

In addition to his clinical duties, he serves as the Program Dean and Assistant Professor at Oikos University’s Master of Science in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MSAHM) program, where he provides academic leadership, oversees faculty performance and offers student support and instruction. He is also a faculty member at Five Branches University, where he teaches in the Review and Assessment Department. He has contributed as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Asian Medicine education to national institutional accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, conducting site visits, curriculum reviews and accreditation evaluations of graduate programs in Asian Medicine.

Dr. Tai holds a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM), the highest, terminal degree in Eastern Medicine in the United States, and graduated with distinction. He also earned both a Doctor and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM, MTCM) from Five Branches University, as well as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He completed his 3-year integrative medicine residency at Sutter Health Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland/Berkeley, CA, where he served as Chief Resident in his final year. He is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist (L.Ac.) in California. Dr. Tai is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Sichuanese.

When not seeing patients or teaching, he is riding his thoroughbred, IP, swinging a mallet on the polo field, walking his Pomsky, Mahjong, feeding his two cats, March and Clicker, or singing in the shower.

It’s our genuine privilege to care for you.

Dr. Tai’s interest in medicine began early. Growing up in China, he was raised by his grandmother... Read More