Andy Lininger, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist practicing at the Natural Care Center at Woodwinds. For the past 30 years he has demonstrated a commitment to health and wellness practices. In the early 1970s, he was active in the development and management of the Twin Cities Food Cooperatives, an organization dedicated to serving its community with high-quality organic foods.

From 1986 to 1991 he mentored under Edith Davis, the founder of the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MCAOM) at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Lininger received his diploma in acupuncture in 1991 and passed the National Board Examination the following year. He co-practiced over an 18-month period with Xiao Gong, MD (China), TCMD (China), retired Dean of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Shandong Medical University. In 1996 he received his certificate in Herbal Medicine from MCAOM.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Acupuncture Association of Minnesota from 1992 through 1996, acting as its president that final year. During that time the Association succeeded in establishing licensure in acupuncture under the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice through legislative action.

Lininger practiced within biomedical alternative medicine clinics at both Hennepin Faculty Associates and in the HealthEast Healing Center before joining the Natural Care Center at Woodwinds. At the Natural Care Center he provides acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herb formulas. Lininger is also a faculty clinician for Northwestern Health Sciences University, mentoring student interns in patient management and treatment. He is credentialed with the HealthEast Care System and sees patients within Woodwinds hospital. Lininger believes that the foundation for wellness lies in encouraging people to take an active role in fostering their own health.