Karin Liedtke, LAc

Bio

I grew up in the beautiful state of Ohio and lived in the Cleveland area. At the time of my childhood, the water and air quality was poor there due to industry, but there was a marvelous park system that surrounded the Greater Cleveland area. One could bicycle many miles using multipurpose trails or hike through wooded, Riparian areas. I am still enjoying nature as a true place of personal and spiritual nourishment and value maintaining such places for generations to come.

In my life, I have been drawn to service professions, whether in the field of teaching, community work, or health. Meaningful work that helps others has always been my focus. Since my early twenties when first exposed to acupuncture, I have been studying the fascinating and historically rich field of Asian Medicine. Currently, I am studying Medical Qi Gong, one of the arms (another being acupuncture) in the field of Chinese Medicine. I also maintain membership with the California State Oriental Medical Association.

I have been employed with Kaiser Permanente since early 2000, though substituted since 1998. Prior to this, I worked in private practice within Sonoma County and San Francisco. Here at Kaiser Permanente, I enjoy working as part of a team, especially with the high quality employees who are found in the Chronic Pain Department. I also appreciate being able to care for such diverse patients, and those trying acupuncture for the first time to help with chronic pain management.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

I practice acupuncture and related therapies utilizing styles and techniques from various traditions and countries, in addition to my original training in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I am strongly interested in the mind-body connection.

Often patients ask me how I got into doing acupuncture. While a young adult, I attended a friend's acupuncture treatment. I thought it quite strange, but considered trying it a year later. Finding acupuncture very helpful, I decided to casually study the philosophy and theories about it. Then, at a time when I was contemplating a career transition, it became clear to me that acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is what I wanted to do.

I appreciate the teachers, masters, and practitioners who taught and/or treated me during my life.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

Over the years I have added some of what I have learned in continuing education classes to my practice techniques.

Current projects or research:

I am currently involved with a 2 year teacher/therapist Medical QiGong training program in San Francisco.

Great health resources that I refer to:

This page has some great resources Learn More About Acupuncture

An interesting story from my training:

I attended Chinese Medicine school while simultaneously working part time toward my Master's degree. The degree in Comparative Healing Systems was really a study of worldwide healing practices, including alternative and complementary medicine.

Photos from My Training Years or of Practicing Medicine in My Field:

Moving the Qi

Interests

My favorite book or author:
I enjoy fantasy/science fiction for relaxing reading.

Hobby Photos & Links:

At the End of 700 Miles

Family & Friends

People in my life:

Because my undergraduate college training involved internships throughout the United States, I developed friendships with people who live in various states. I still maintain some of these. I also have relatives in five states and Europe.

My children and people I care about:

My adult son is currently a college student.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

My parents immigrated to the United States from Europe after World War II. They had to abandon their homes and farms and flee to Germany prior to coming to this country.

For large portions of my life I have had birds, especially parakeets. Parakeets are cheery, little birds who love to sing. Cockateils can also have quite a musical repetoire. In my family, there is one female parakeet and one male cockateil. Both now say "hello."

Pet Photos:

Cockateil

Parakeets

Travel

An adventure I've had:

As a young adult and college student I needed to travel back and forth from Ohio to California and tried a number of interesting options. There were great adventures to be had traveling with the Green Tourtoise Bus Company. I was able to see various national parks, hot springs, go white water rafting and hike along perilous paths while also slowly making my way to where I needed to go. Also as a young adult, I backpacked within California and loved being able to get to remote and scenic places. These trips remain memorable. While backpacking is too strenuous for me these days, I have hiked in British Columbia, Alberta and the Olympic National Park in recent years.

Favorite place in the world:

Most of my travels have been within the United States (45+ states), though I have visited about nine other countries. I am still hoping to travel to Asia, particularly China, within a couple of years to see natural and historical wonders, experience the culture and observe medical and spiritual aspects. China is home to Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

One of my recent trips:

I brifely returned to the beautiful mountains, lakes and waterfalls northeast of Vancouver this year, a place I thoroughly enjoyed a few years ago. I also traveled part of the "Sunshine Coast," directly north of Vancouver, to the Canadian "tropical island" of Savory. Indeed there happened to be sandy beaches and 80-something degree weather. Getting there involved taking ferries among the many islands along the coast.

Travel Photos:

Past Backpacking

Trip Photos:

Vancouver Waterfront

Nitobe Memorial Park, Vancouver

Shannon Falls, British Columbia

Lion's Gate Bridge, Vancouver

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

Savory Beach, British Columbia

Lake Cheakamus, British Columbia