Healing with Heart

Dr. Alireza (Ali) Akhlagh Moayed, Ph.D., DAOM., L. Ac.

Licensed Acupuncturist • Pain Specialist • Integrative Medicine Practitioner

Dr. Alireza (Ali) Akhlagh Moayed is a licensed acupuncturist by the Massachusetts Board of Medicine and a board-certified Diplomate of Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). With advanced training in both Eastern and Western medical sciences, Ali brings a rare blend of rigorous biomedical expertise and deeply rooted classical Chinese medicine to every patient he treats.

A Journey Bridging Physics, Medicine, and the Healing Arts

Ali’s path into Chinese medicine began long before he ever picked up an acupuncture needle. His early academic career was devoted to understanding nature through physics, mathematics, bioenergy, and biophysics. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Waterloo in Canada, producing several peer-reviewed publications on functional imaging of the eye and retinal disease. His post-doctoral research at the University of Washington, Seattle focused on studying the effects of electric and magnetic fields on water under the mentorship of Prof. Gerald Pollack. He later taught physics at the University of Washington for two years.

This scientific background—rooted in curiosity, precision, and exploration—eventually sparked a deeper interest: understanding Qi, the vital life force central to traditional Chinese medicine.

Training in Chinese Medicine

Ali’s exploration of Qi led him to complete a three-year Medical Qigong teacher-training program in Yi Ren Qigong under Dr. Sun at the Yi Ren Qigong Institute in Seattle. This transformative period opened the door to a formal education in Chinese medicine.

He went on to complete:

• Doctorate in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (DAOM) with a focus on pain management

• Master of Science in Acupuncture

• Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine
  

  all at Bastyr University, one of the nation’s top natural medicine institutions.

Clinical and Hospital-Based Experience

Ali has extensive clinical experience across diverse settings, including:

• Harborview Medical Center (Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine), Seattle, WA
  

• Providence Regional Medical Center, Everett, WA
  

• Bastyr Center for Natural Health, Seattle, WA
  

• North End Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinic, Boston, MA
  
  

He has also completed multiple preceptorships with allopathic pain specialists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), working alongside physicians and nurse practitioners specializing in peri-operative pain, migraines, spinal pain, and musculoskeletal injuries.

This integrative training allows Ali to understand pain from both a biomedical and classical Chinese medical perspective, enabling him to design targeted, effective, evidence-informed treatments.

He incorporates a full range of therapeutic approaches—including electroacupuncture, trigger-point therapy, Master Tung acupuncture, scalp and auricular acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Gua Sha, and herbal medicine.

A Philosophy Rooted in Intention and Compassion

Ali believes that healing begins with the practitioner’s intention, mindset, and genuine care for the individual in front of them. His philosophy is best captured by the great Daoist physician Sun Simião:

“Medicine is intention. One who is good in using intention will be a good doctor.”

 Sun Simião (Tang Dynasty)

Every treatment session reflects this principle: thoughtful, centered, and attuned to the unique needs of each patient.

A Multilingual, Multicultural Practitioner

Ali is fluent in English and Farsi, offering culturally informed care and the ability to communicate medical concepts clearly to Farsi-speaking patients and families.

Outside the Clinic

When he is not working with patients, Ali finds joy in being immersed in nature—hiking, photographing landscapes, and exploring new trails. Nature, science, and the healing arts remain the three pillars of his intellectual and personal life.