About the Columnist

Andrew Rader is an acupuncturist and herbalist who has been in practice for 23 years. He received a BS in biochemistry from U.C. Berkeley in 1982. After working and travelling in Asia, he returned to study Chinese medicine at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, and received his Masters degree from ACTCM in 1988.

Andrew completed an internship at Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Fall/Winter 1987/88. In 1990, he became the director of the Haight Ashbury Free Acupuncture Clinic in San Francisco, California. From 1993 to 1997, he was the staff acupuncturist at the Conant Medical Group, one of the largest AIDS practices in the U.S. He also worked with Dr. John Kaiser, a well-known alternative AIDS specialist. In addition to being an acupuncturist, Andrew is also a hypnotherapist, having studied with Will Goddey, and specializes in smoking cessation.

In connection with his love of Chinese medicine, Andrew has followed a Buddhist meditation path since 1982, and has practiced tai chi, qigong and yoga since 1980. Andrew, his wife and family live in the San Geronimo Valley of West Marin, California. Andrew currently practices in Marin county, CA and can be reached at email: . Websites: freedomfromsmokes.com and qiawareness.com.