Tian Chao Herbs & Acupuncture
Tian Chao Herbs & Acupuncture was founded on a passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine, personalized healing, and lifelong wellness.
For over 30 years, Tian Chao Herbs & Acupuncture has been dedicated to helping patients improve their health through Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our experienced team provides personalized care using acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and other holistic therapies to support each patient’s unique health journey.
Our philosophy is to relieve symptoms, restore the root, and sustain lifelong wellness. By combining traditional wisdom with modern clinical experience, we focus on understanding the body as a whole, restoring balance, and supporting the body’s natural ability to achieve lasting health and well-being.
Meet Our Team
Tian Li, L.Ac
Founder
When Tian Li. Wu was a little girl in China, her grandmother would send her to collect medicinal herbs for ill family members. Today, she is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. She has both a degree in Chinese Medicine from China and a Masters's degree in Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Science in Oakland, CA. She was the first female student of famous Chinese herbalist Liu Shao Lin.
Licensed in the US since 1994, she owns Tian Chao Herbs & Acupuncture which has been voted "Best Acupuncture" in the Sacramento area 3 years in a row. Tian is dedicated to bringing her services to Violet Wellness Spa to promote healthy living as well as offering educational sessions to allow patients to continuing to practice self-care at home.
Norman Plotkin, CHt
Co-Founder & CEO
After navigating his cancer journey, Norman decided to leave his career in political consulting and transition into serving others through work in the Wellness world. Norman pursued training in Hypnotherapy, becoming a certified practitioner. Norman is dedicated to helping others overcome their challenges through natural, non-invasive, non chemical solutions, and is thrilled to continue offering his services through the launch of Violet Wellness Spa. Hypnotherapy is commonly used to address a variety of issues including behavioral change, overcoming angst, nervousness, and unease, assisting with emotional release, overcoming PTSD, addiction, and assisting with illness recovery.
Wesley Zhang, L.Ac
Acupuncturist
Drawing on more than a decade of TCM clinical experience, Wesley Zhang, a licensed acupuncturist, has guided numerous patients toward improved lifestyles and overall health. His expertise spans pain management, neurological conditions, stress reduction and emotional wellness, reproductive health, IVF & IUI support, thyroid and endocrine concerns, cysts and fibroids, sports injuries, Korean-style cosmetic facial acupuncture, and digestive disorders. He designs custom herbal formulas and dietary therapy plans, integrating medical tai-ji mind-body therapy for chronic pain, anxiety and neurological rehabilitation. Proficient in traditional Chinese medicinal practices, he excels in crafting personalized holistic treatment strategies tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Kim Silsby, L.Ac.
Acupuncturist
Kim Silsby is a California licensed acupuncturist and herbalist who fell in love with Chinese Medicine in her twenties, and knew that she had found her ideal career. She is honored to join Tian Li's beautiful clinic, and be part of a talented collaborative team. Kim completed her Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, CA. She founded White Peony Acupuncture in Los Altos and practiced there for 18 years prior to relocating to the Sacramento region with her husband in 2022. She has focused the majority of her career addressing women's and men's health in various settings:
private practice, fertility centers, women's integrative cancer centers, home births, and the hospital labor and delivery. She has a particular love for helping women and couples through natural and assisted fertility, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. In her free time, Kim and her husband love exploring trails, waterways, and mountains, travel, gardening, cooking, and entertaining their dog Ruby.
Raven Aletheia, L.Ac
Acupuncturist
She has practiced acupuncture and herbal medicine for nearly 20 years, with a passion for bridging ancient healing traditions with modern life. A practicing yogi, she values whole-person care and the connection between a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Raven holds a BFA in Music and Theatre and a Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Emperor’s College. Licensed since 2008, she founded LuckyStar Wellness, an integrative practice combining Chinese medicine with Western and Chinese herbalism, nutrition, astrology, Acutonics®, sound therapy, and movement.
With extensive experience in women’s health, immune wellness, family care, injuries, digestive health and cosmetic acupuncture, Raven is thrilled to join Violet Wellness, bringing her expertise in skincare, facial yoga, TCM, tuina therapies, and more to the wellness spa setting. Her holistic approach works from the inside out, supporting inner health, natural beauty, and outer vitality.
Dr. GiGi Hu, MSTC
Tai Chi Instructor
Dr. Gigi T. Hu has a Master of Science in Tai Chi (MSTC) from the University of East-West Medicine and is also an author and independent scholar of Asian Studies. She began learning Tai Chi in 1998 when she was based in Hong Kong. Through the decades, she also learned from various Tai Chi and Qigong instructors in Singapore and California. Since 2015, she started teaching therapeutic Tai Chi-Qigong to communities and private individuals and has participated in Tai-Chi competitions in the Bay Area. She has presented her work in Health, Wellness and Society Conference and other overseas workshops. Gigi is interested in qi movements that promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Her movement programs also focus on body balance and flexibility, and bringing out a sense of play and inter-cultural imagination during the exercise session. See her website at https://www.calmhappytaiji.com/.
Theresa Cooper
Clinic Manager | Sacramento
As Office Manager I help keep the day-to-day office operations running smoothly, from scheduling appointments and processing payments to managing inventory and preparing herbal formulas. I enjoy the variety of my role and the opportunity to support our team through the many details that go on behind the scenes. I also value creating an organized, welcoming environment where our clients feel comfortable and cared for. I’m grateful to be part of a team that is dedicated to helping others and creating a positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors. Outside of work, I enjoy going for walks, having picnics, or getting lost in a good book.
Selina He
Clinic Manager | Fair Oaks
As Office Manager, I help keep our day-to-day operations running smoothly, from scheduling and payments to managing inventory and assisting with the preparation of herbal formulas. With a background in accounting, I enjoy staying organized, keeping financial records in order, and supporting our team behind the scenes. I have a special interest in herbal medicine and enjoy learning about different herbs and their traditional uses. I’m grateful to be part of a team dedicated to helping others and creating a warm, welcoming experience for every patient. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, going for walks, and taking photos to capture the little moments that make life beautiful.
Tingting Liang
Executive Assistant
I support the day-to-day operations of the clinic by assisting with administrative tasks, patient services, and behind-the-scenes projects that keep things organized and running smoothly. With a background in Statistics and Data Science, I also enjoy finding ways to organize information and improve processes when opportunities arise. I enjoy the variety of my role and the opportunity to learn more about healthcare operations while being part of a team that helps people on their journey toward better health. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new places, spending time in nature, and working on creative projects.