Dr. Christine Dao, DAIM, Dipl. O.M., L.Ac., FMP
Doctor of Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture
Dr. Christine Dao is truly an Integrative Medicine Doctor utilizing the best of Western and Traditional Medicines. She combines Functional Medicine, Specialized Lab Testing, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Japanese Style Acupuncture, Nutrition, Neuro-Linguistic Therapy, Pranic Healing/Reiki, Meditation, Breathwork, and techniques for increasing your connection to God/Spirit.You can say Dr. Christine has been studying health since her teenage years when struggling with severe Asthma and chronic abdominal pain along with numerous injuries from competitive swimming. She had been prescribed 3 medications and 3 inhalers daily to help her breath and continue competing but they were not working. She came upon an Osteopathic Doctor in a grocery store that shared the importance of Selenium, recommended increasing her water, and changing her diet. She tried it and experienced substantial results. At that point she knew she wanted to be a Doctor one day and started pursuing attending Medical school. School was challenging and with the tech boom in Silicon Valley, an opporunity to join a start up and then the stock industry was enticingand thrilling! During her time in Tech, she studied Zen Meditation at SF Zen Center with Reb Anderson, took a course in Pranic Healing with Stephen Co and obtained a Master Certification in Neuro-Linquistic Programing with Tim & Kris Hallbom to help people overcome limiting beliefs and trauma.
In 2008, about a year after the birth of her daughter, Dr. Christine’s health quickly declined after having Epstein Bar Virus (Mono) and then H1N1 in 2009. She experienced Long Hauler Syndrome now recognized from the Covid Pandemic and struggled to find answers to her overwhelming exhaustion, disruptive brain fog, and daily full body pain. After working with more than twenty doctors and spending tens of thousands of dollars in an effort to understand, diagnose and treat her pain, Dr. Christine felt frustrated with the lack of answers or solutions for helping end her suffering. In 2010, she was laid off from Technology Sales during the recession and it was at this point, Dr. Christine decided to pursue Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine. She completed a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine and then her Doctorate in Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine at the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, CA.
During this time, Dr. Christine was introduced to other Integrative Doctors who utilized advanced lab testing and discovering she had 4 Chronic Lyme infections, HHV-6, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and Hypermobility Sydrome - later re-diagnosed as Hypermobile Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (EDS-Type III.) In 2018, Dr. Christine began her studies in Functional Medicine and Nutrition through Functional Medicine University (FMU) to learn the same testing and nutritional concepts that transformed her own healing journey. She trained with world-renowned healers and educators in a variety of disciplines throughout the U.S. with the hopes it would provide answers to her complex health problems.
Dr. Christine’s work is informed and continually motivated by her personal experiences with several chronic and complex pain conditions. Through extensive studying and research, continual self-exploration, her incorporation of Traditional and Integrative medicines, she has found Integrative medicine most effective for herself and her patients. Dr. Christine is deeply passionate in the belief that by improving each patient’s mind, body, and spiritual connections, they will restore their health. She has a Patient centered focus and considers herself an educator and mentor for patients in their healing process.
Dr. Christine works with patients of all ages with a wide variety of health issues, including Acute & Chronic pain, Hypermobilitly/Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome, Autoimmune, Chronic Fatigue, and Digestive Disorders. She provides calm, supportive and nurturing care, and is committed to developing relationships with patients that empower them to feel confident in their capacity to heal and enjoy life more fully.
Christine Lynn Dao
NCCAOM Certification #: 842939
NCCAOM Professional Designation: Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)®
Certified since: 11/24/2020
Certification Expiration Date: 10/31/2028
A Diplomate of Oriental Medicine is a practitioner who is certified by the NCCAOM®. It is a considerable professional achievement to earn the designation Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®). NCCAOM® Certification indicates to employers, patients, and peers that one has met national standards for the safe and competent practice of acupuncture and Chinese herbology as defined by the acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) profession. National board certification in Oriental medicine has been the hallmark of excellence in AOM since the inception of the NCCAOM® Oriental Medicine Certification Program in 2003.
Earning Criteria:
Comprehensive training in traditional differential diagnosis and proper treatment methods requires that an NCCAOM® Diplomate of Oriental Medicine:
Completed four academic years of education at the Master’s Degree level in an Oriental Medicine Program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
Demonstrated professional competency by passing NCCAOM® Certification Examinations in Foundations of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture with Point Location, Chinese Herbology, and Biomedicine.
Maintains the NCCAOM® Certification by re-certifying every four (4) years.
Abides by the NCCAOM® Code of Ethics.