Dr. Na Zhai Clinic Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Dr. Na Zhai, PhD, OMD, LAc

Professional Summary

Dr. Na Zhai is a clinician, researcher, and builder. For over forty years, she has practiced medicine across two continents—first as a physician trained in Western medicine in China, then as a specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine in the United States.

She holds a PhD in TCM and a Master's in Western Medicine from China. She completed postdoctoral research at Kitasato University in Japan, where she used electron microscopy and autoradiography to study the brain's response to acupuncture—producing some of the first morphological evidence that acupuncture works through the nervous system.

In 1996, she arrived in the United States and was granted a Green Card as an "Outstanding Professor and Researcher" by the U.S. Immigration Service.

Since 1997, she has run a private clinical practice in Springfield, Illinois. Over 7,000 American patients have been treated—many of whom had been told there was nothing more to be done. She has developed a proprietary acupuncture protocol and a library of clinically validated herbal formulas, including Body Clean, the formula that became the foundation of her clinical system.

From 1999 to 2003, she worked alongside Dr. Claude Fortin, a neurologist at Springfield Clinic, in a physician-referral model that earned the trust of 90% of the clinic's physicians. She also taught SIU medical residents who selected her class.

She is now seeking a partnership to scale her system—so that more patients can benefit.

Clinical Practice

Private Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine — Springfield, Illinois               1997–Present

Established and maintained a successful private practice for over 28 years.
Treated more than 7,000 American patients with a wide range of refractory chronic conditions.

Developed a standardized clinical system based on two synchronized protocols:         --- A unique acupuncture method and                                                                               ---A proprietary herbal formula, Body Clean.
---Created and refined a library of clinically validated herbal formulas, each one born from a specific patient's need.

Long-term outcomes documented in patient testimonials, letters from referring physicians, and media coverage.

Springfield Clinic Collaboration — Springfield, Illinois   1999–2003

Worked alongside Dr. Claude Fortin, chief neurologist, at the Neurology Institute.
Dr. Fortin handled patient intake and comprehensive diagnostic assessments; Dr. Na Zhai administered non-pharmacological treatment in a clinic across the corridor; patients returned to Dr. Fortin for final evaluation.
Within one year, 90% of the clinic's physicians trusted this service and referred their patients.
Treated patients from across Illinois with complex, stubborn conditions that had failed to respond at major Western medical institutions.
The collaboration was featured in the State Journal-Register and other local media.

Scientific Research

Successfully established 327 rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) through advanced microsurgical techniques, creating a well-defined cerebral ischemic region.

Confirmed acupuncture effects in the ischemic area through cerebrovascular perfusion and histochemistry strategies.

First proposed and proved morphological evidence of multi-organ damage due to acute ischemic stroke—and acupuncture's effects on that damage—using microscope, electron microscopy, and quantitative micro-spectrophotometry.

Captured cerebral responses to stimulating different acupoints through autoradiography and electron-microscopy, contributing to the creation of a novel, evidence-based acupuncture treatment protocol.

Education

Post-Doctoral Allied Health Science — Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan | Nov 1992 – Apr 1994

Ph.D., Traditional Chinese Medicine — Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China | Sep 1989 – Oct 1992

M.S., Medicine — Guiyang Medical University, China | Sep 1986 – Sep 1989

B.S., Medicine — Shanxi Medical University, China | Feb 1978 – Feb 1983

Licenses & Certifications

Diplomate in Chinese Herbology, NCCAOM, USA
Diplomate in Acupuncture, NCCAOM, USA
Licensed Acupuncturist, State of New York
Licensed Acupuncturist, State of Illinois
Green Card — Outstanding Professor and Researcher, U.S. Immigration Service | 1996

Academic Appointments

Professor & Chief Physician — Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China | Oct 1994 – Jun 1996

Provided direct patient care in a teaching hospital setting.
Directed laboratory research programs in acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Lectured to undergraduate and graduate students.
Supervised 31 graduate researchers (8 Ph.D., 23 M.S.).
Teaching in the United States — Springfield, Illinois | 1999–2003

SIU medical residents who selected her class.
Provided clinical instruction on Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture.
Documented in student feedback letters from SIU School of Medicine.

Major Awards & Honors

Outstanding Professor and Researcher (U.S. Permanent Resident Category) — U.S. Immigration Service | 1996
Tianjin Science & Technology Progress Award — Government of Tianjin, China | 1996
National Outstanding Youth Award — National Natural Science Foundation Council, China | 1995
National Science and Technology Achievement Award — National Science & Technology Council, China | 1995
Tianjin Science & Technology Progress Award — Government of Tianjin, China | 1995
Outstanding Century Leader Award — Government of Tianjin, China | 1994
Tianjin Science & Technology Progress Award — Government of Tianjin, China | 1993

Publications

(Selected from over 30 peer-reviewed papers and conference proceedings.)

Na Zhai, Xuemin Shi, and Jizheng Zhou. 1996. A review of clinical experience and experimental research in the treatment of acute cardio-cerebrovascular diseases for the last twenty years. Proceedings of the First Mainland and Taiwan Conference of Acupuncture Treatment. Beijing, China. P 49-54.

Na Zhai, Zhuoyou Liu and Chen, Wen. 1996. The histochemistry and ultra-structure observation of acupuncture effects on microangium and energy metabolism in rabbits with acute myocardial ischemia. Proceedings of the Tianjin Fourth International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 343-348.

Na Zhai, Zhihong Meng and Tan Li. 1996. The research with electron microscopy in acupuncture effects on multiorgan damage caused by acute cerebral infarction. Proceedings of the Tianjin Fourth International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 349-353.

Yuanhao Du, Na Zhai, and Li, Tan. 1996. The acupuncture effect on microangium autonomous rhythmic movement of cerebral pia-mater in rats with acute cerebral infarction. Proceedings of the Tianjin Fourth International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 354-359.

Zhihong Meng, Na Zhai, and Haifeng Yang. 1996. The acupuncture effect on ATP, ADT and AMP of multi-organ in MCAo rats. Proceedings of the Tianjin Fourth International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 365-369.

Zhihong Meng, Na Zhai, and Min Fang. 1996. The acupuncture effect on LDH and its isoenzyme of multi-organ in MCAo rats. Proceedings of the Tianjin Fourth International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 370-375.

Na Zhai, Yutaka Futaesaku, and Li, Li. 1995. The mechanism of acupuncture in the brain—cerebral response to needling different acupuncture points derived from [H] 2-DG autoradiography, Part 1. Results of S-36, S-25 and PC-6. Proceedings of the Second National Youth S&T Conference. Beijing, China. P 88-93.

Na Zhai, Yutaka Futaesaku, and Li, Li. 1995. The mechanism of acupuncture in the brain—cerebral response to needling different acupuncture points derived from [H] 2-DG autoradiography, Part 2. Results of H-7, GV-26, K-1. Proceedings of the Second National S & T Youth Conference. Beijing, China. P 94-96.

Yutaka Futaesaku, Na Zhai, Michiko. 1995. Brain activity of a rat reflects apparently the stimulation of acupuncture. Cellular and Molecular Biology. 41(1): 161-170.

Na Zhai, Yuanhao Du, and Xuemin Shi. 1995. The important actions of micro-vascular system in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke. Proceedings of the Second Asia Congress for Microcirculation. Beijing, China. p24.

Yuanhao Du, Na Zhai, and Xuemin Shi. 1995. Morphological studies in acupuncture effect on cerebral microvascular system in MCAo rats. Proceedings of the Second Asia Congress for Microcirculation. Beijing, China. P 53.

Na Zhai, Tan Li, and Xuemin Shi. 1994. Effect of electron-acupuncture on ATPase of microvascular wall in rabbits with acute myocardial ischemia. Proceedings of the First National Conference on Microcirculation. Beijing, China. P 159.

Na Zhai, Haifeng Yang, and Xuemin Shi. 1994. Effect of acupuncture on arterial network of cerebral pai-mater in acute cerebral infarct in rats. Proceedings of the First National Conference on Microcirculation. Beijing, China. P 160.

Na Zhai, and Yuanhao Du. 1993. Morphological studies on acupuncture in interfering experimental cerebral infarction in rats. Part I. Compensation of cerebral pia-mater artery in the ischemic area on cerebral surface. Acupuncture Research, 18(1): 8-13.

Na Zhai, Xiufen Lu, and Xuemin Shi. 1993. Morphological studies on acupuncture in interfering experimental cerebral infarction in rat. Part II. Change of ischemic area in cerebral interior. Acupuncture Research, 18(3): 209-212.

Chen Wen, Qingshu Chao, and Na Zhai. 1993. Effect of electron-acupuncture on ATPase and CA fluorescence of microvascular walls in rabbits with acute myocardial ischemia. Acupuncture Research, 18(3): 223-227.

Xuemin Shi, Na Zhai, and Jizheng Zhou. 1993. Influence of Xinnao-Kaiqiao acupuncture method on acute cerebral infarction. Abstract of the 6th World Congress on Intensive and Critical Care Medicine, Madrid, Spain. P 286b.

Yutaka Futaesaku, Na Zhai, and Xuemin Shi. 1993. The Brain Activity Responded to Stimulation of Acupuncture derived from 2-DG Autoradiography. The 25th Conference of Japanese Clinical Electron Microscope Technique, Matsumoto, Japan.

Yutaka Futaesaku, Na Zhai, and Xuemin Shi. 1993. [H] 2-DG in rat brain: respondent to stimulation of puncturing different acupoint derived from autoradiography. The 3rd International Meeting of Clinic Acupuncture Science, Jingdu, Japan. P 213-226.

Yutaka Futaesaku, Na Zhai. 1993. A Brain as a Conducting Center of Acupuncture in Radioautography Using 2-DG in rats. Radioautography in Medicine Proceedings of 4th International Symposium on Radioautography. Matsumoto, Japan. P 233-237.

Na Zhai, XuXin Liu, and Xuemin Shi. 1992. Effects of Xinnao-Kaiqiao acupuncture on cerebrocellular RNA in rats with acute cerebral infarction. Journal of Shanghai Acupuncture, 7(4): 17-19.

Na Zhai, Shipeng Yuan, and Xuemin Shi. 1992. Quantitative observation of compensation of vessels in rat with experimental cerebral infarction. Proceedings of the Tianjin Second International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 188-199.

Na Zhai and Ping Wang. 1992. Quantitative analysis of ischemic region in rat with acute cerebral infarction. Proceedings of the Tianjin Second International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 200-207.

Na Zhai, and Mingchun Li. 1992. Effect of acupuncture on calcium content of ischemic tissue in rat with acute cerebral infarction. Proceedings of the Tianjin Second International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 208-213.

Na Zhai, and Xiaodi Zhu. 1992. Effects of acupuncture on cerebrocellular ultra-structure of acute ischemic area in rats. Proceedings of the Tianjin Second International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 216-224.

Lixin Fu, and Na Zhai, and Xuemin Shi. 1992. Protect action of acupuncture to myocardial ultrastructure injured caused by acute cerebral ischemia in rats. Proceedings of the Tianjin Second International Acupuncture Conference. Tianjin, China. P 242-247.

Na Zhai, Zhuoyou Liu. 1988. Histophysiological research between the mastocyte and meridian. Chinese Acupuncture. (5): 50-52.