“A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.” ~Lao Tzu

Preventative medicine and natural health solutions that work.

We specialize in solving health problems at their root using 100% natural methods. No drugs, no invasive procedures.

Welcome to Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center!

We believe that EVERY person has the capability to heal deep within themselves, and we know that modern life leaves most of us disconnected from our bodies so we forget how to tap into that power within us. Our practice is based on empowering people to reconnect with their innate ability to heal.

We use acupuncture, nutrition counseling, supplements including vitamins, amino acids, and herbs, bodywork, cupping, and electrical stimulation to give your body everything it needs – including a “swift kick in the pants” – to turn on its powerful healing capability. We don’t believe in the sledge-hammer approach. A good nudge in the right direction is often all it takes to reconnect your innate healing ability, and we make a point of doing the minimum intervention necessary to get the job done.

We have everything we need to heal inside of ourselves.

Much of the physical pain we experience is due to emotional factors – fear of injury, resistance to change, fear of the pain getting worse or never going away, frustration over being unable to do things we want to do.

Physical pain and emotional pain are intimately interrelated, and you really can’t have one without encountering the other. People with depression almost always experience some physical pain, and people with chronic pain nearly always experience depression and/or anxiety. Most of our patients have experienced a world of both physical AND emotional pain which are so interconnected it is nearly impossible to separate them.

We specialize in helping people going through life transitions. Whether healing from an injury, living through cancer treatment, experiencing trauma or stress from changing jobs or shifting relationships, or managing the challenges of hormone decline, we’re here to help you restore and maintain your healthiest self so you can live a full, joyful, and satisfying life.

 

I want to thank you so much for your healing treatment as well as for recommending I see my chiropractor. I feel so much better after one visit!

Vanessa B.

Teacher

My prostate cancer was stage 4 when it was found. I had surgery followed by radiation which left me with pain, incontinence, and difficulty maintaining an erection. I was also given hormone therapy which gave me hot flashes, mood swings, and horrible brain fog. I took some time out from work while I was recovering from the surgery and going through radiation, but the brain fog was making it so hard to focus I was concerned about being able to do my job. Lisa was very thorough in her evaluation, listened to all of my concerns, and her treatments helped relieve my pain, decreased the hot flashes, and best of all, helped me be able to concentrate again. I’ll definitely go back if I have other health concerns!

Sam R

Engineer

Lisa’s approach is gentle and knowledgeable. I relaxed just being in her presence and the results from the session lasted long after the session was over.

Jill B

Wellness Coach

***Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors.

Your initial consultation is free. Come meet us in person and learn more.

Click below to learn more.

Click now to request your free consultation.

Or, just call 619-772-4002 and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Read more about: What We Do | Our Philosophy | Our Awesome Staff | Our Privacy Policy

HOW WE WORK

Focus on Results

Our goal is to see you feel better and meet YOUR health goals. We’ll work together to create a dynamic treatment plan you agree to follow, making adjustments along the way to keep you on track with meeting your goal. While we’ll NEVER “kick you out” of our practice. Once you’ve met your goals and finished your treatment plan, we encourage monthly maintenance visits for four to six months to make sure the results are lasting and to deal with any bumps which come up along the way. After that, it’s completely up to you whether you want to continue with long-term maintenance care.

Support for your Decisions

You have the right to make your own decisions about your medical care. Whether you choose to do only natural medicine or work in tandem with your physician for a pharmaceutical or surgical solution, we will support your decision and focus your treatment plan accordingly. If we believe your condition requires conventional medical intervention, we’ll tell you and encourage you to be seen by your primary care doctor or an appropriate specialist. Our goal is for you to get better as quickly and completely as reasonable, through whatever means YOU choose.

Honesty and Integrity

We always strive to maintain complete integrity in our interactions with patients, partners, referring clinics, suppliers, and all others with whom we connect. We will only recommend what is necessary, never more, never less. We will always treat you fairly and with respect. And, we will always do our best to help you in every way with your wellness goals and needs.

I have received wonderful service from Lisa. She listens to your health concerns and she knows the connecting points for your problem. The atmosphere is so positive in the office. I am so glad I found her office

Rachael E

Retired

I have suffered with lower back pain for over 10 years, the result of several ruptured discs. While attending police academy, I began to experience severe back pain that was so debilitating, I thought I would be dropped from academy. A friend recommended Lisa to me and after just two treatments I was pain free. I was able to finish academy and I have continued to see Lisa over the years whenever my back flares up. Wearing a 25 pound duty belt all day would be excruciating without acupuncture.

Anonymous

Police Sergeant

I have been experiencing a chronic Siatic nerve condition for more than 4 months that inhibits me to rest or sleep as you normally will do. Have attended several physical therapist and taken pain killers to aliviate the condition but no improvement. Yesterday I attended the first treatment I and i can honestly say that last night was the first night ever that i was able to sleep and rest better than any treatment or pills. The service was excellent and very professional. Therapist is very knowledgeable and experience. I highly recommend. Take it from someone that has living with pain 24 hrs, 7 days a week from more than 4 months!!!”

C.M.

Veteran

Your initial consultation is free. Come meet us in person and learn more.

Click below to learn more.

Click now to request your free consultation.

Or,  just call 619-772-4002 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.

Read more about: What We Do | Our Philosophy | Our Awesome Staff | Our Privacy Policy | Accessibility

 

Our Process

Free Consultation

At your free initial consultation you’ll meet with your clinician to discuss your case, your medical history, any medications you’re taking, and most importantly YOUR GOALS. We want to be certain that we can meet your needs and that there is a HIGH probability of success for you – BEFORE we move forward to the next step

Intake and First Treatment

Once your free consultation is complete, and we agree to move forward, your next step is the Intake appointment. At this appointment, your clinician will do a detailed assessment of your symptom pattern, medical history, and other factors to determine the root cause of your issue and devise a personalized treatment plan.

Your first acupuncture session will be performed at this visit, and a you will be given a treatment plan with exact, easy-to-follow instructions. Your treatment plan will include dietary and lifestyle adjustments as well as key supplements and herbal medicines to address the root of YOUR specific issues.

Active Treatment and Symptom Resolution

You’ll return for once-weekly visits to ensure close support as you begin to feel the positive shifts of the therapy. We want to make sure your treatment plan is yielding the expected results.

You’ll receive acupuncture at each visit to ensure that your neuroendocrine system (the delicate connection between your nervous and hormonal systems) is re-balancing in a way that results in optimal symptom resolution.

Transitional Care as Things Stabilize

Once we see stable improvements, we will begin to reduce the frequency of visits. This usually occurs after about 8-12 visits. Initially you’ll come every other week, then once a month for a couple of visits, then you will no longer need regular treatments.

We’ll be here in case you ever want to come in for a tune-up or to address other health concerns.

Of course, MANY of our patients do wish to continue with “ongoing maintenance” and we are happy to work that out with you, should that be your wish.

Taking Care Of Your Friends and Loved Ones

We pride ourselves on the fact that 80% of our new patients are referred to us by other patients or people in the community who have witnessed their friends and loved ones receive life-changing benefits from our work.

So, we very much look forward to helping YOUR friends, family, and loved ones on THEIR journey to a more joyful, energetic, purposeful life.

Lisa takes a lot of time to discuss what’s going on, answer questions, go over treatments and make suggestions. Being under her care is encouraging and reassuring.

Pablo M

Artist

***Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors.

What Others Are Asking

Does it Hurt?

The needles are extremely thin, and super sharp. In fact, you can fit at least 10 of them into a typical hypodermic syringe. They’re nearly painless because they are so tiny.

How do I know it’s safe?

Acupuncture has been practiced safely for centuries, and in the hands of an experienced practitioner it’s virtually risk-free.

Are there any side effects?

The “worst” side effects are bruising and/or mild soreness where the needles were inserted, and these are extremely rare. There are many “positive” side effects include calmer mood, better sleep, improved digestion, increased relaxation, and a more positive attitude and outlook.

Is there any risk of infection?

In compliance with California and Federal regulations, our needles are sterile, single-use, and disposable. There is no risk of getting an infection from the needles. If you have an immune or other condition we should know about, we’ll make sure to cover that with you before treatment.

Will your treatment mess with my medication?

We always review medications before making treatment recommendations to make sure that there are no unwanted interactions. Sometimes what we do actually makes your medication work better!

How long does it take to see results?

People often feel a shift after the very first treatment, but lasting results require a series of visits. Acupuncture is a very powerful way to stimulate endorphin release, which is the most powerful relaxing substance the body makes. Most people experience significant relief within 2-3 months of consistent treatment.

Does my insurance cover it?

Every insurance plan is different. While we are not “in-network” with most insurance plans, we will provide you with the paperwork you need to submit bills for our services. Many plans have at least some acupuncture benefit, and you can also use flexible spending plans and HSA funds for your treatments.

Will I be able to go back to work after a treatment?

Treatments are painless, and do not interfere with your daily function. You will probably feel more relaxed following a treatment which may make your work day go more smoothly!

Will I have to keep doing treatment with you forever?

Most patients experience a solution to their problem in 2-3 months. After that, many choose to come in for regular maintenance visits. Our goal is to get you to where you no longer need treatment and will be so happy with your results you’ll send us all your friends and family. Of course, you’re ALWAYS welcome to keep coming for as long as you love it and it helps you feel good!

Lisa Nicholson, L.Ac., DNBAO is a master acupuncturist, licensed in California and nationally certified. She is a skilled nutritionist and wellness coach, with a passion for helping people experiencing physical and emotional pain to reconnect with their passion for living. As a breast cancer survivor, she is uniquely aware of what breast cancer patients experience from the moment of diagnosis through the entire treatment process.

The child of a teacher and a dentist in a family chock full of physicians, psychologists, and lawyers, Lisa chose a different path. Since childhood, Lisa has been drawn to helping people overcome physical and emotional challenges to live fulfilling and rich lives. Although she was pre-med with her psychology major at SUNY Albany, she found she didn’t resonate with “conventional” medicine and instead, went on to complete a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. After 8 years of working with people struggling with mental illness and addiction, she was looking for a new challenge. As a career counselor, Lisa “tried on” nearly every medical tradition, ultimately settling on Chinese Medicine because it was the one system which fully embraced her philosophy about the interconnectedness of mind and body and offered a treatment system which simultaneously addresses both

Lisa is an endurance athlete who has participated in competitive swimming, cross-country, downhill and water skiing, backpacking, rock climbing, and cycling. At age 29, a water skiing crash left her with a major injury to her back, neck, and shoulders, and threatened to disable her. But Lisa was determined to get back into her athletic pursuits. Because all of her injuries were non-surgical soft-tissue problems, conventional medicine had nothing to offer except drugs. Lisa instead turned to chiropractic and her yoga practice to gradually heal her injuries. It was during a yoga teacher training class where she had an epiphany that much of her ongoing pain was due her fear and resistance to feeling more pain. Through a meditation with a partner, she gradually and gently unlocked the spasms which had bound her back for months, guiding herself back to the movement she needed to heal. Since then, she has continued her yoga practice and taken up first rock climbing and then cycling, training over a period of years to the ultra-cycling world. Now, 100 miles is a training ride, and Lisa has successfully finished events including Race Across the West and Paris-Brest-Paris.

As a breast cancer survivor, Lisa is particularly passionate about helping other breast cancer patients to get through their treatment and restore their health and well being. She has experienced the pain of surgery, the nausea and fatigue of chemotherapy, the fear and frustration of landing in the emergency room with sepsis following one of her treatments, and the skin irritation associated with radiation therapy.  She has successfully returned to her athletic lifestyle following treatment. As someone who has participated in multi-day timed athletic events, she is intimately familiar with the experience of being alone in the dark physically exhausted and afraid, while trying to keep enough forward movement to finish the event. This makes her uniquely suited to working with people undergoing cancer treatment.

Lisa loves to travel, and especially likes to experience other cultures through their food. She is a skilled gourmet cook, and brings her fascination with all things culinary into the clinic with nutrition recommendations, recipes, and more

When she’s not in the clinic or on her bike, you can find Lisa at home in her kitchen or reading with her husband and Percy, the cat who shares her spirit of adventure and zest for fine food

Your initial consultation is free. Come meet us in person and learn more.

Click below to learn more.

Click now to request your free consultation.

Or,  just call 619-772-4002 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.

Read more about: What We Do | Our Philosophy | Our Awesome Staff | Our Privacy Policy | Accessibility

 

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