Meet Ruth Lehmann, DACM, LAc Zola Y. Du, PhD, LAc of Livonia, MI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Lehmann, DACM, LAc Zola Y. Du, PhD, LAc.

Hi Ruth Lehmann, DACM, LAc, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Associate joins Alleviate Acupuncture!

Please welcome Dr. Zola Y. Du PhD, LAc to America, Michigan and Alleviate Acupuncture.

With over 12 years of rigorous medical training and 6 years of hands-on clinical experience, Dr. Zola Y. Du is a dedicated expert in Integrative Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Her approach combines time-honored healing practices with modern scientific advancements, providing patients with a holistic and effective path to managing chronic conditions and enhancing overall wellness.

Dr. Zola’s journey began at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), a renowned institution known for its groundbreaking TCM research and the home of Nobel Laureate Dr. Tu Youyou. There, she earned both her PhD and Master’s degrees in Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. She further honed her acupuncture and herbal prescription skills through a nationally recognized residency program at Guang’anmen Hospital in Beijing, one of China’s top high-volume TCM hospitals. During her residency, she specialized in treating chronic, pain-related, and age-associated conditions.

Under the guidance of Dr. Xiangrong Rao, a leading authority in Chinese nephrology, Dr. Zola mastered advanced TCM techniques for managing complex health issues. In addition to her clinical expertise, Dr. Zola expanded her knowledge of evidence-based integrative medicine through research at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she focused on musculoskeletal disorders, chronic diseases, and cardiovascular health. This experience deepened her understanding of how TCM can complement and enhance modern medical practices.

Certified by the NCCAOM in Oriental Medicine and licensed to practice in Michigan, Dr. Zola is fluent in both English and Mandarin, ensuring that patients receive compassionate, personalized care in a comfortable, welcoming environment.

Her philosophy is simple: Preventive Care · Restore Balance · Heal Naturally · Thrive for Life.

This is a story about partnership and friendship. There is a concept in the Chinese language called Laotong. “Laotong” (老同), in Chinese, refers to a historical practice in the Jiangyong county area of Hunan province, where two women would create a deep, lifelong bond of sisterhood, often described as “old sames” or “old comrades.” This relationship was considered a formal, socially acknowledged bond, not just a casual friendship.

When Dr. Zola first started looking for work—about six months after moving to Michigan-she reached out to several clinics in the area, including my longtime acupuncturist and friend, Vicki Park at Agape Acupuncture of Novi and my colleague and friend, Carol Soborowski at Sound Mind Acupuncture, whom both encouraged her to reach out to me at Alleviate. I have been in business now for almost three years and continuing to grow and expand and I had just been telling my husband how hard it will be to find another acupuncturist to join my team and help carry some of the workload . And then—almost as if the universe was listening—I heard about her.

We connected immediately and arranged to meet that Thursday at my clinic. The next day, the three of us—Dr. Zola, Vicki, and I—had lunch together at Zerbo’s, followed by an afternoon visit to Agape Acupuncture, where we shared chrysanthemum tea and heartfelt conversation. It felt like a destined encounter. Everything unfolded so naturally and beautifully, as if we were always meant to meet. We’re both deeply grateful to have come into each other’s lives.

Dr. Zola often tells me she feels like she’s found a sister in the U.S.—someone she can trust and feel happy and peaceful working with every day. Over the past two months, we’ve already experienced so much together: attending monthly acupuncturist gatherings, sourcing Chinese herbs at herbal shops, giving a talk on Traditional Chinese Medicine to 91 students at Canton High School, and offering free TCM health consultations and AcuGraph screenings at Better Health for the community. Every event has been incredibly well received, and more importantly, deeply fulfilling. We both feel we’re doing something truly valuable and meaningful.

What amazes me most is how aligned we are in our clinical philosophy and treatment approach—even though we trained in different countries. Over the past several months, we’ve been treating patients side by side. Our patients are happy and feel spoiled, and we both feel like we have a second brain to reflect with and discuss each case in depth. It’s rare to find that kind of professional and personal harmony.

And that’s how this journey began—unexpectedly, beautifully, and with a sense of shared purpose that continues to grow each day. A deep medical sisterhood of caring for others as well as for each other.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes, for the most part, it has been a remarkably smooth journey—smooth not because there were no challenges, but because we moved through them with shared purpose and mutual trust. As I mentioned before, one of the most beautiful parts of our story is how naturally aligned we are in our clinical philosophy and treatment approach, despite having trained in different countries. That harmony made it feel like we were never starting from zero—but simply continuing a path we were always meant to walk together.

There were, of course, early hurdles. When Dr. Zola first arrived in Michigan, she had to patiently wait for her work permit. But the moment it was approved, she stepped forward with quiet strength and began treating patients with skill and compassion. In the beginning, her schedule was light—after all, she was new to the area, and few people knew her name.

But we didn’t let that slow us down. Together, we put our hearts into both the clinic and the community. We showed up—at local events, at high schools, at herbal markets and community health fairs. We crafted thoughtful online posts, and introduced special promotions to help make care more accessible.

Little by little, her patient volume began to grow. Today, we feel energized, hopeful, and proud—not only of how far we’ve come, but of how much meaning we’ve found along the way.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Alleviate Acupuncture Wellness Clinic, we are deeply rooted in the belief that healing should be accessible, inclusive, and truly transformative. Led by me, Dr. Ruth Lehmann, our practice is guided by the core philosophy that every person deserves to live their fullest and healthiest life. We are here to help our patients not just survive—but truly thrive.

Conveniently located in Livonia, Michigan, our clinic is a sanctuary for individuals from all walks of life. We’ve created a space where healing happens in comfort—whether it’s through one-on-one care in our private treatment rooms, shared experiences in the supportive atmosphere of our community treatment space.

Our clinical focus is broad yet personalized. We treat a wide range of conditions including:

Acute and chronic pain

Autoimmune disorders

Neurological conditions

Cancer support

Mental and emotional health

Pediatrics and young adults

Women’s health

Fertility for both men and women

Prenatal to postpartum care

We are also excited to offer facial and cosmetic acupuncture, blending beauty and wellness through ancient techniques that support skin health and natural rejuvenation.

What truly sets us apart is our patient-centered approach. Whether someone wants to get back to chasing after their grandkids without pain, return to their sport without relying on anti-inflammatories, conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy, or simply feel more balanced and less anxious—we tailor each treatment plan to meet those deeply personal goals.

At Alleviate, healing is not just a procedure—it’s a partnership. And we feel honored to be part of each patient’s journey toward a better, more vibrant life.

What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, we’re excited about what the future holds for Alleviate Acupuncture Wellness Clinic. One of our ongoing goals is to continue building upon the good reputation we’ve earned in our community—through compassionate care, clinical excellence, and meaningful relationships with our patients.

We also plan to expand our herbal pharmacy, offering a wider selection of high-quality Chinese herbs and custom formulations. This will allow us to support our patients with more personalized herbal solutions and deepen the integration of traditional Chinese medicine into our practice.

Most importantly, we’re committed to maintaining the wellness of both our patients and ourselves. As healthcare providers, we believe we can only serve our community well when we are grounded, healthy, and supported ourselves. Through continued professional development, self-care, and collaboration, we aim to create a sustainable and nurturing environment for everyone who walks through our doors.

In short, our vision for the future is to grow with intention, deepen our roots in the community, and continue walking alongside our patients on their journey to lifelong wellness.

Pricing:

• Consult and treatment $150
• Follow-up $100 (we also offer treatment packages)
• Community Room $50
• Cupping $75
• Reiki $75；Massage $100

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alleviateacu.com
• Instagram: @alleviateacu
• Facebook: @alleviateacu