Prof. Qiang Cao, ND, L.Ac

Professor Cao has an impressive career spanning over 45 years, dedicated to the teaching and advancement of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). He began his journey at Shanghai University of TCM in 1977, where he taught for a decade before moving to the United States to further his studies in naturopathic medicine. At Bastyr University, he co-founded the acupuncture and Oriental medicine program and has been a core faculty member for 35 years, teaching fundamental courses in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

A renowned expert in Zhang Zhongjing’s medical classics, Professor Cao has extensively taught and researched foundational texts such as the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders). He taught Zhang Zhongjing’s Shang Han Lun for the doctoral program during the first decade of the 21st century. Additionally, Professor Cao’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals in China, focusing on clinical studies on Qingpi extract injection, rooted in the theoretical framework of the Shang Han Lun. 

His dedication to Zhang Zhongjing’s theories deepened in 2011 after encountering the Wu Zang Lun during an academic conference in China. Since then, he has devoted over a decade to studying this text, presenting his findings at international conferences and publishing significant works on its historical and clinical significance.

Dr. Cao envisions a harmonious union of ancient Chinese medical wisdom and modern conventional medicine, where the timeless insights of Zhang Zhongjing’s theories inspire and elevate contemporary healing practices. His life’s work reflects a profound belief in the transformative power of bridging the past and present to create a future of Qi-based acupuncture medicine.