We recently connected with Suzanne Yao and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Suzanne , so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
As a licensed Oriental Medicine Doctor in Las Vegas, my self-care is deeply connected to the same holistic principles I use in my clinic every day. Over time, I’ve learned that when I prioritize my own wellness — through acupuncture, herbal support, mindful movement, and sleep regulation — I show up as a clearer and more effective practitioner for my patients at Path Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine.
One of the core parts of my routine is receiving regular acupuncture treatments, especially for stress relief, sleep support, and musculoskeletal tension. Experiencing the medicine firsthand keeps me grounded and reminds me what my patients feel when they’re on the table — the shifts in the nervous system, the quieting of the mind, and the release of pressure and pain. When I stay aligned and balanced, I’m able to treat conditions such as chronic pain, emotional health concerns, anxiety, women’s health issues, and digestive imbalances with greater presence and precision.
I also rely on herbal medicine, both for immune support and for maintaining steady energy throughout long clinic days. It allows me to sustain the focus and calm required for one-on-one care, especially when I’m treating more complex cases.
Another part of my self-care involves monitoring my own sleep, digestion, and stress levels — exactly what I ask my patients to do. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these are core indicators of overall health, and tracking them helps me catch imbalances early. When I make small adjustments quickly, I avoid burnout and can continue providing high-quality, consistent care.
Living and working in Las Vegas, where many people struggle with high stress, long work hours, and environmental factors like dryness and heat, I’ve realized that practitioners need strong self-care just as much as their patients do. By maintaining my own wellness practices, I’m able to offer the best possible outcomes to those seeking help with pain management, stress and anxiety, sleep issues, and overall balance.
Ultimately, my self-care makes me more effective because it keeps my mind clear, my energy stable, and my approach patient-centered. It allows me to show up each day with the steadiness, compassion, and focus that high-quality acupuncture and holistic medicine require.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Suzanne Yao, a licensed Oriental Medicine Doctor specializing in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and holistic wellness. At Path Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Las Vegas, I work with patients to address chronic pain, stress, sleep issues, digestive concerns, emotional health challenges, and women’s health needs. My approach blends Traditional Chinese Medicine with a modern understanding of the body and mind, with a consistent focus on individualized care.
What excites me most about my work is seeing the transformative impact that holistic care can have on people’s lives. Many patients come in feeling frustrated or stuck with ongoing pain or health challenges, and over time — through acupuncture, lifestyle guidance, and herbal support — they rediscover energy, balance, and confidence. Being part of that process, helping someone regain their wellness and resilience, is incredibly rewarding.
I also value integrating preventive care and education into every session. I encourage patients to track changes in sleep, digestion, energy, and emotional well-being so they can better understand their health and make meaningful, sustainable changes. This approach not only supports their immediate concerns but also empowers them to maintain long-term wellness.
Recently, we’ve expanded our focus on holistic care for stress-related conditions, emotional well-being, and sleep support, which is especially important for people navigating the fast-paced lifestyle in Las Vegas. We are also offering customized herbal formulas and integrative treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs — combining acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle strategies to create a comprehensive path to wellness.
At Path Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, our mission is simple: to provide compassionate, effective, and personalized care that helps each person feel better, function better, and live more fully. I’m proud that our clinic is a place where patients can not only address their symptoms but also learn to support their overall health and resilience in a meaningful way.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey as an Oriental Medicine Doctor, three qualities have been most impactful: empathy, discipline, and continuous learning.
Empathy: Understanding my patients’ experiences deeply allows me to treat not just symptoms, but the whole person. In acupuncture and holistic medicine, small physical and emotional shifts can reveal larger patterns. Early in your journey, I encourage developing empathy by truly listening, asking thoughtful questions, and observing carefully — whether with patients, clients, or colleagues.
1. Discipline: Healing work requires consistency and dedication. Maintaining a daily practice — whether through clinic hours, continuing education, or self-care — builds credibility and skill over time. For anyone starting out, focus on creating routines and habits that strengthen your practice, your craft, and your mindset. Discipline isn’t rigidity; it’s the commitment to showing up consistently, even on challenging days.
2. Continuous Learning: Medicine, wellness, and life are always evolving. Staying curious, updating your knowledge, and integrating new techniques have been essential to my growth. For those early in their journey, embrace opportunities for learning — from formal education to mentorship, and even from mistakes. Curiosity keeps your work fresh and impactful.
3. My advice for anyone starting out is to prioritize balance: develop your skills, take care of yourself, and maintain curiosity. These three qualities work together — empathy helps you connect, discipline ensures you follow through, and continuous learning keeps you evolving. Focusing on them will help you build both expertise and resilience, no matter which path you pursue.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
At Path Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Las Vegas, my ideal clients are individuals who are committed to their own health and well-being and who are open to holistic, integrative approaches. They may be struggling with chronic pain, stress, sleep issues, digestive concerns, emotional health challenges, or women’s health needs, and they are looking for personalized care that addresses the root cause rather than just the symptoms.
The people I work best with are curious, engaged, and willing to participate in their own healing — whether that involves tracking sleep, digestion, or energy levels, following tailored lifestyle guidance, or incorporating acupuncture, herbal medicine, and gentle mind–body practices into their routines. These clients value a long-term, sustainable approach to wellness and understand that meaningful change requires consistent care, guidance, and attention.
I also enjoy working with individuals seeking stress relief, emotional balance, or recovery from chronic conditions. Many of my patients come in feeling stuck or overwhelmed, and my role is to provide compassionate, individualized support while equipping them with tools to improve their energy, resilience, and overall quality of life.
Ultimately, my ideal client is someone who wants to feel better, function better, and live more fully. They are ready to take a proactive role in their health and are seeking a practitioner who can guide them with expertise, empathy, and holistic strategies.
If you’re in Las Vegas and curious about how acupuncture and holistic medicine can support your physical, mental, or emotional well-being, I encourage you to reach out to Path Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. Every journey to wellness is unique, and I’m here to help you navigate yours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pathlv.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathlv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pathlvnv
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/path-acupuncture-and-herbal-medicine-las-vegas-3
