Sam Lai (she/her) is a queer, mixed-race acupuncturist focused on general practice, with a specialization in sports medicine and pain management. With training that blends the precision of sports medicine acupuncture with the gentle techniques of Japanese acupuncture. Sam is committed to promoting healing for whole-person wellness and supporting individuals through challenging physical and emotional transitions.
Originally from the small island of Guam, she moved to the West Coast to pursue studies in art and design strategy. After working in design startups and arts education organizations, she studied East Asian Medicine at AIMC, Berkeley. During her clinical training, she interned at UC Berkeley, treating Cal student-athletes for orthopedic issues and pain management. She also provided community treatments at the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic — a free clinic in Oakland serving low-income, underserved, and immigrant women with cancer. Sam’s passion lies in advancing health justice and expanding access to integrative care and East Asian Medicine for queer, trans, BIPOC, and elder communities.