About - Benevolent Acupuncture

Meet Dr. Haizhen Yang

Haizhen Yang, DACM, MAOM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM (NCCAOM)

Classical Chinese Medicine Meets Modern Anatomy

Dr. Haizhen Yang is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine practicing in New Jersey and New York. Her clinical approach brings together Classical Chinese Medicine, detailed pulse diagnosis, modern anatomy and physiology, structural assessment, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and hands-on manual therapy
Rather than beginning with a standard treatment protocol based solely on a diagnosis or the location of a symptom, Dr. Yang begins with a more fundamental question:
What is happening in this individual patient's body?
She uses the pulse as an important source of clinical information. She integrates these findings with the patient's symptoms, health history, tongue examination, physical and structural assessment, and response to treatment. The goal is to develop a more complete understanding of the patterns and relationships that may be contributing to the patient's condition - and to determine where treatment should begin.

A Different Way of Understanding the Body - Looking Beyond the Symptom

Dr Yang views the body as an interconnected system rather than a collection of isolated symptoms.

A painful area is not always the only area that needs attention. Structural relationships involving the skin, fascia, muscles, joints, posture, and movement may interact with circulation, nerve function, and lymphatic flow. Internal physiological changes may, in turn, influence tissue tension, movement, and structural balance.

At the same time, a patient’s current condition exists within a larger context – including constitution, health history, stress, environment, lifestyle, and life experience.

For this reason, Dr. Yang’s clinical approach emphasizes:

Listen to the Pulse
Examine the Structure
Connect Structure & Function
See the Whole Person

Bridging Classical Chinese Medicine and Biomedical Science: Two Perspectives. One Patient

Dr. Yang's education in both Chinese Medicine and biomedical science has shaped the way she approaches clinical care. Classical Chinese Medicine offers a framework for understanding patterns, relationships, constitution, and changes occurring within the whole person. Modern anatomy and physiology provide another perspective for understanding structure, circulation, neurological function, movement, and internal physiology. Rather than viewing these perspectives as competing systems, Dr. Yang uses her knowledge of both to ask better clinical questions and to develop a more individualized understanding of each patient.
The goal is not to fit the patient into a system. The goal is to use the appropriate knowledge to understand the patien.

Education

Doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts,
Master’s of Science degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
Master’s of Science degree in Biomedical Science from Rowan University School of Biomedical Science.

Professional Credentials

Licensed Acupuncturist — New Jersey & New York
Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM / the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine ), she has been nationally certified in acupuncture since 2010, and certified in Chinese herbal medicine since 2015.

Clinical Influences & Continuing Studies

Dr. Yang’s clinical approach has continued to evolve through years of postgraduate study and hands-on training with practitioners and teachers representing different traditions of Chinese Medicine

Classical & Daoist Chinese Medicine: Dr. Yang continues her study in Classical Chinese Medicine and Daoist medical perspectives, including teachings associated with Dr. Jeffrey Yuen DOM (Daoist priest), and Dr. Songqing Fu.
Structural Medicine: Since 2015, Dr. Yang has periodically undertaken hands-on training in the structural approach developed by Dr. Liang Chuan Lin of Taiwan.
Integration of Chinese Medicine and Modern Anatomy and Physiology in clinical application: Since 2024, Dr. Yang has been mentored by Dr. Chen in LA.
Herbal Medicine and Medical Qigong: Dr. Kamto Lee DOM in Portland, Oregon (a QiGong master who specializes in both herbal medicine and body work), since 2013 , and Dr. Jeffrey Yuen DOM (Daoist Priest).
Fang’s Acupuncture and classical Chinese Medicine literature: Dr. Yang has been mentored by Dr. Yemeng Chen (President of NYCTCM) since 2024

This work emphasizes the relationships among the skin and connective tissues, muscular tension, and joint organization, and has significantly influenced the way Dr. Yang examines musculoskeletal and pain conditions.

From Assessment to Treatment

Each visit begins with assessment rather than a predetermined treatment protocol.
Depending on the patient's presentation, Dr. Yang may integrate:
PULSE --> TONGUE --> PHYSICAL EXAMINATION --> STRUCTURAL THERAPY --> CLASSICAL ACUPUNCTURE --> HERBAL MEDICINE --> REASSESS
- Classical Pulse Diagnosis - to explore the pattern and depth of the current imbalance and provide clinical clues about circulation, internal function, structural relationships and constitutional patterns.
- Tongue Examination - to provide additional information that may support, refine, or sometimes challenge the initial clinical impression.
- Physical & Structural Examination to assess posture, movement, skin, fascia, muscles, joints, and areas of restriction or compensation;
- Classical Acupuncture with the treatment strategy selected according to the clinical presentation
- Structural Manual Therapy when musculoskeletal or structural involvement is identified
- Chinese Herbal Medicine - inidividualized herbal treatment informed by Classical Chinese Medicine and classical formula traditions, including the Shang Han Lun (傷寒論), when appropriate to the patient's presentation.

Treatments are not static. Dr. Yang observes how the patient responds and reassesses relevant findings throughout the course of care.
ASSESS --> UNDERSTAND --> TREAT --> REASSESS --> REFINE

Teaching & Professional Experience

In addition to private practice, Dr. Yang has experience in both clinical and educational settings. She previously worked at Virtua Wellness Center, part of the Virtua Healthcare System in New Jersey, has taught at the New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Her clinical work continues to evolve through ongoing study of Classical Chinese Medicine, anatomy, physiology, structural meicine, pulse diagnosis, herbal medicine, and related approaches to whole-person care.

Healing Philosophy - The Person Behind the Treatment

For Dr. Yang, good clinical care requires more than technical knowledge.

It requires curiosity, careful observation, compassion, and a genuine interest in understanding the individual person.

She believes patients should be active participants in their own health. Her role is not simply to provide a treatment, but to help patients better understand their bodies and support them in making informed choices about their health and well-being.

Every patient is different. Every visit is an opportunity to listen, reassess, and understand more clearly.

Explore Dr. Yang's Approach Book an Appointment