Dr. Duckworth has been in practice since 1980. He began studying Oriental Medicine with M. Masahilo Nakazono O-Sensei in 1977, graduating from the Kototama Institute and completing a ten-year apprenticeship in Japanese Acupuncture, Naturopathics and Kototama Life Medicine. Dr. Duckworth received his doctorate degree from Sensei Nakazono in 1987. He taught Kototama Medicine, Traditional Acupuncture, Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, and Emergency Medical Procedures at the Kototama Institute from 1980 to 1986. Dr. Duckworth founded the School of Inochi Resources in California in 1986, and founded the Inochi International Studies Program in Mexico in 1987. He became a licensed tutor in New Mexico in 1988. Natural Life Therapy Clinic was founded in 1980 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dr. Duckworth relocated his practice to St. Louis in 1998. He is a specialist of Pulse diagnosis and pediatric oriental medicine.

Dr. Duckworth's studies and practices over the past four decades have included traditional herbal medicine, folk medicine of the Southwest, nutrition, midwifery, and emergency medical services. He has training in Hindu and Buddhist meditation, Sufi dance, Shinto norito and has been a practitioner of Kototama for 30 years. He was ordained in the Universal Life Church in 1969. He has been an Emergency Medical Technician Instructor, Red Cross First Aid Instructor, and CPR Instructor. Dr. Duckworth was founder and twice president of the New Mexico Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, authored the New Mexico Acupuncture Practice Art, and was twice appointed by the Governor of New Mexico to serve on the New Mexico State Acupuncture Board.

He has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Naturopathy degree, holds a Certificate as a Nutritional Medical Counselor, and has served as a delegate member of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He has published and edited several of Sensei Nakazono's books, has provided forensic services to the courts, and has been a panel speaker, covering such issues as health care delivery, mental health, death and dying, and pain management from the perspective of Oriental Medicine. He has provided public and professional instruction in Mexico, California, New Mexico, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and throughout Missouri.

Dr. Duckworth has served as Vice President and President of the Acupuncture Association of Missouri. His mastery of Kototama Life Medicine and his redefinition of the Sun-Kan-Shaku-Jio-Yi pulse diagnosis incorporated into Western natural medicine, emergency medicine, counseling, and advocacy of the use of complimentary medical disciplines forms the basis of Inochi Medicine. In 2002, he founded the Institute of American Acupuncture & Life Medicine, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization providing Oriental medicine to the less fortunate of our community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Shepherd's Center of Webster/kirkwood, an interfaith volunteer organization that provides programs and services that aid older adults in living vital and independent lives.

Jason R. Hackler began his studies of Kototama Inochi (Life) Medicine in 1994. He relocated to St. Louis, Missouri in 1999 at the request of his teacher, Dr. Thomas Duckworth, founder and Executive Director of the Institute of American Acupuncture and Life Medicine (IAALM).

Mr. Hackler holds a Doctor of Oriental Medicine license (NM), is a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) in the state of Missouri and is National Board Certified in Acupuncture (Dipl.Ac.-NCCAOM).

Mr. Hackler has served as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Acupuncture Association of Missouri and in 2006 was appointed by the Governor to the Missouri Acupuncture Advisory Committee.

Mr. Hackler is Project Director of the Institute of American Acupuncture and Life Medicine (IAALM). He teaches self-healthcare workshops and seminars through the Institute and is a volunteer practitioner for the outreach program of IAALM, The Center for Community Health.

Lindsey is an apprentice of Kototama Inochi (Life) Medicine under the guidance of Thomas Duckworth, L.Ac.; Doctor of Kototama Life Medicine.  She began her studies in November 2016, and will continue her training at the Natural Life Therapy Clinic for the next few years. Lindsey is Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork with advanced training in The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®. She is drawn to the study of Japanese Acupuncture and Oriental Natural Medicine for its holistic approach to the human being and the full system of medicine it offers.