Dr. Bianca Di Giulio
Bianca Di Giulio is a doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (DAOM) with over 15 years in the wellness industry. Prior to studying Chinese medicine, she attended UC Berkeley to pursue social work where she earned her B.A. in social welfare. Alongside the traditional college path, her curiosity about energy medicine continued and she became a certified massage therapist, studying Reiki, Shiatsu and Acupressure. After graduation she practiced social work as a bilingual family advocate at a family resource center in Lake Tahoe, while learning more about anatomy, energy work, and therapeutic massage. These professional experiences blended together quite naturally, leading her toward a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSCTCM) at the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, in Berkeley.
After completing the master's program, Dr. Di Giulio seamlessly blended her established massage practice with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. As her practice grew, a unique interest in integrative oncology was born. In order to expand her breadth of knowledge and understand how Chinese medicine works alongside conventional cancer care, she apprenticed with practitioners who specialized in oncology to enhance her skills using TCM in an integrative approach.
Dr. Di Giulio completed her doctorate in June 2015 at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco with a specialty in oncology. Her capstone researched the role of TCM in integrative oncology by examining its application and philosophy among major medical institutions across the country. This research afforded her the opportunity to intern at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma and study under nurses, oncologists, and clinicians who emphasize an integrative oncology model.
In addition to her capstone publication, Dr. Di Giulio co-authored an article in a Western peer-reviewed journal, Medical Acupuncture in June 2015. The article, entitled "Quality of Life in Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer," outlined a clinical case report and is a thorough examination of how the system of TCM can be safely applied to improve and in this case, extend, life in late-stage cancer.
In January 2019, a third article was published in the Journal of Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine, "Moxibustion Therapy in the Treatment of Radiation Fibrosis of the Throat," that demonstrates integrative treatment approaches. These publications and extensive research has inspired a forthcoming book on the subject of integrative oncology and Chinese medicine, expected to be released Fall 2019, entitled:
Bridging the Gap: Integrative Oncology and the Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine
In addition to Chinese medicine, Dr. Di Giulio is passionate about cooking delicious meals, enjoys baking, and is a proud novice gardener, all inspired by her Italian heritage. A true dog-lover as well, she pampers her sweet, mischievous rescue dog, Rufus. She lives in Napa Valley and enjoys riding around on her beach cruiser, finding new wineries and delicious eateries with her husband.
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was referred to Dr. Di Giulio for her specialty in oncology acupuncture. In the midst of all my conventional medical appointments, it was a relief to meet with her and be able to rest, recover, and get her perspective on treatments.
She eased my anxiety and helped guide me with her knowledge about cancer, conventional treatments, eastern medicine, and nutrition. Her treatments helped ease the side effects from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and helped boost my immune system so that I recovered more quickly. She's also helped me manage insomnia, menopausal symptoms, memory and concentration problems, and digestive issues that I experienced as a result of my medical treatments.
I've completed my chemotherapy and radiation treatments and continue to find it helpful to have treatments with Dr. Di Giulio as I recover and get stronger.
It's hard to express just how emotionally and physically valuable it has been to have her as a guide and provider throughout this experience.
- Silvia G.
Dr. Bianca is the real deal, folks. She's long been on the healing path, first as a massage therapist and now an expert acupuncturist. It's been amazing to witness her dedication to further her education, blending east and west. It's high time acupuncture becomes mainstream and integrates into our healthcare system.
— Stan B."
What is a DAOM?
There are many acronyms that can follow a licensed acupuncturist's name, so it is important to understand the varying differences among these titles. The DAOM stands for "Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine" and is a clinical doctorate, as well as the highest degree earned by a licensed acupuncturist.
The 'licensed acupuncturist' or L.Ac. is required to practice acupuncture and is the most common title, which always includes a master of science in traditional Chinese medicine. One can embark quite successfully with this degree and licensing. The DAOM identifies those practitioners who pursued a doctoral candidacy to specialize in a course of study.
This education is no less than three years and requires copious research, writing and culminates in an oral defense and capstone project, which equals that of a dissertation.
This means that those practitioners with a DAOM have pursued over 7 years of Chinese medical programs, after an undergraduate degree. There is current approval for a "First Professional Doctorate" and those who begin this course of study will eventually receive the DAOM title, but have only received approximately five years of training. This is significantly less than the 7+ years of current DAOM practitioners.
THE DOCTOR OF THE FUTURE WILL GIVE NO MEDICINES, BUT WILL INTEREST HIS PATIENTS IN THE CARE OF THE HUMAN FRAME, IN DIET, AND IN THE CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE.
– Thomas Edison