About

Ted O’Brien is an esteemed healer with over thirty years of experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). His distinctive approach to healing integrates an intuitive awareness with meticulously developed diagnostic and treatment protocols, enhancing the therapeutic experience for his patients. Outside of his clinical and educational endeavors, Ted maintains a disciplined lifestyle devoted to mastering the multifaceted art of Chinese Medicine.

As a Medical Qigong Therapist and Acupuncturist, Ted serves as the lead instructor at the East Coast Institute of Medical Qigong. He has collaborated with numerous prominent Doctors of Chinese Medicine and has conducted thousands of patient treatments. Through years of dedicated practice and ongoing study, Ted has acquired the skills to effectively address a wide array of conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders (such as back pain, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome), psychological challenges (such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD), chronic illnesses (including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia), as well as other issues like migraines, allergies, respiratory infections, and managing the side effects of cancer treatments.

Ted’s commitment to compassionate healing is evident in the treatment room, academic settings, and his writing. He integrates Medical Qigong intention into every acupuncture session, enhancing the needling protocols for deeper healing. His Medical Qigong treatments actively engage patients, helping them unlock their inherent healing potential. In his teaching, Ted encourages students to explore their unique paths through ancient Daoist principles, fostering a dynamic environment of shared learning and personal growth. He is a regular contributor to The Gettysburg Times, where he writes a monthly column on Holistic Health and Healing. His seminal book, “An Altar Boy Goes East: Discovering the Healing Jesus,” which explores his journey of blending Eastern healing arts with Christian teachings, was released in 2017.

Ted founded the East Coast Institute of Medical Qigong and previously served as an accredited teacher at the International Institute of Medical Qigong. He contributed to the education of the first cohort of Medical Qigong classes in Canada, organized for 45 acupuncturists by the Canadian acupuncture board in Montreal, under the guidance of Bernard Shannon.

Recognized for his expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ted was a faculty member at the George Washington University Medical School during his five years with the George Washington University Center for Integrative Medicine, where he continues to act as a consultant. He has delivered numerous public lectures and taught classes on Acupuncture and Medical Qigong throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area, including sessions at major colleges, universities, and medical schools, such as his alma mater, UMass Amherst. Additionally, he assisted Dr. Xiao Ming Tian, a policy member of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, for two years.

Ted’s journey into Eastern healing began at age 24 when he faced various health challenges, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and food allergies. Disillusioned with conventional medicine, he sought holistic therapies, with Qigong emerging as the most impactful treatment in his healing journey. Today, Ted enjoys greater health in his forties than he has ever known.

He earned his Master of Medical Qigong from the International Institute of Medical Qigong in 2004 and holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture from the Maryland Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ted has also studied with Sam McClelland at the New England Institute of Integrative Acupressure and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts.