Dr. DeStefano’s passion for the East Asian healing arts began in the late 1970s through the study of Japanese and Chinese martial arts. In the early 1990s, workshops at the Berkeley Acupressure Institute renewed his interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). After a successful career in environmental health and engineering, he returned to academia in 2005 to pursue formal training in TCM.

Building on nearly two decades of experience in Asian bodywork therapy, Dr. DeStefano earned a Bachelor of Health Science, cum laude, from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, specializing in Shanghai “Rolling Style” Tui Na. In 2008, he completed an externship at the Tui Na Center of Yue-Yang Integrative Medicine Hospital and pursued additional studies at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. That same year, he became a Certified Tui Na Practitioner through the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia. He later earned a Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine, magna cum laude, from Emperor’s College and a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) from Pacific College, focusing on integrative medicine and neurological disorders.

During his graduate and clinical training, Dr. DeStefano developed extensive experience treating behavioral health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction, while also specializing in orthopedics and pain management using the Master Tung style of acupuncture. His externship training included the Disney Family Cancer Center, Venice Family Clinic, and the HIV+ Community Clinic at Being Alive LA.

An experienced educator and lecturer, Dr. DeStefano served for several years as a clinical supervisor at Emperor’s College prior to its closure in 2025, overseeing interns in both the teaching clinic and Venice Family Clinic externship program. From 2018 to 2020, he also served as a Clean Needle Technique examiner for the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. He currently teaches at SCU and Yo San University as adjunct faculty in Tui Na manual therapy, anatomy and physiology, and clinical practice.

Dr. DeStefano is licensed in California and Rhode Island and is board certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). He is also board certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork and maintains a busy clinical practice in Orange County.

Outside of his professional work, Dr. DeStefano is an avid reader and self-described “book dragon,” an artisanal baker, and a former professional opera singer and voice-over artist.

LAc, California, United States, 16965, Active, 2016, August 2027, 1770993636

LAc, Rhode Island, United States, DA00454, Expired, 2016, February 2025, 1770993636

Massage License, California, United States, 12010, Active, 2010, September 2026

National Certification Commission of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), Diplomate in Acupuncture, 154210, 11/19/2015, 10/31/2027, National Certification, United States

National Certification Commission of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, 154210, 03/13/2019, 02/28/2027, National Certfication, United States

American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia, AOBTA Certified Practitioner, Tui Na Manual Therapy, 2011, 2009-05-01, 2027-04-30, National Certification, United States

Clinical Supervisor, Acupuncture, Venice Family Clinic August 2022, December 2024

Clinical Supervisor, Blount Community Acupuncture Clinic, Yo San University September 2025

Clinical Supervisor, Emperor's College Community Acupuncture Clinic August 2022, May 2025

Summer 2026 - Ongoing

Membership, Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society for Theology & Religious Studies, 2026, Alpha Xi Sigma Chapter, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Latin Honors at Graduation (summa cum laude), 2014, Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine

Latin Honors at Graduation (cum laude), 2009, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine

Summer 2026 - Ongoing

American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA), October 2006

California State Oriental Medical Association, April 2009

Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA), June 2017

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), October 2008, October 2025

Knights of Columbus, October 1991

California Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine Association (CalATMA), March 2018, April 2022, Founding Member

American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO, December 2002, August 2012

Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM), August 2017, September 2020

Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP), September 1996, October 2004

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), September 1984, October 1996

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR), February 2004