*** “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.A.
Our unique blend of drug-free and non-surgical therapies works for all types of chronic pain including:
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
- Migraine
- Disc bulges
- Muscle Pain
- Endometriosis
- Neuropathy
- Knee pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
Find out what we can do to help you.
($25 deposit is required to hold your slot, which will be refunded or applied to your intake appointment if you choose to work with us.)
Click now to request your free consultation.
Or, just call 619-772-4002 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
How We Help You Reduce Your Chronic Pain WITHOUT More Medication:
We awaken your body’s natural healing system
When your body hurts and it’s hard to sit, stand, walk, or lift anything without pain, it feels as if you are broken. Pain wears on you and wrecks your mood, straining relationships and leaving you feeling even worse. These symptoms are just your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right.
Your body knows how to heal itself, it just needs the right support to return to balance and health. See, your body makes its own anti-inflammatory substances – hormones and neurotransmitters which are natural pain killers. Our therapies help your body remember how to turn on it’s own healing power so you feel better fast!
We address the root cause
Chronic pain can have a number of root causes. Our process includes finding and attacking the actual root cause of your symptoms, leading to real pain reduction even if other therapies haven’t worked.
We Understand Your Pain and know how to help
Nearly everyone experiences pain at some point in life, and we understand your pain because we’ve been there. We know what it’s like to wake up in pain, to have pain keep us from doing our favorite activities, to feel like it’s never going to end. And we know the best ways to turn on your body’s natural healing ability and nudge it into overdrive, so you feel better fast and get back to doing what you love.
You probably don’t trust anyone who says they have the answer
You’ve learned that a strong core helps support your back, so you’ve been doing sit-ups for years but you’re still in pain. Maybe you’ve tried medications or even physical therapy. The doctors you’ve seen don’t really get the full scope of your pain and how it’s impacting your life. But we do. We’ve been through injuries and recovery, and we know what it’s like to be unable to lift your cat let alone your kid. We offer a unique perspective and approach to addressing chronic pain, and we CAN help YOU.
We keep it simple
Reducing the effects of chronic pain on your life does not have to be difficult. Simple, targeted lifestyle and diet changes, along with our natural therapies reduce inflammation, relax tight muscles, improve circulation, stimulate natural endorphin (think opiates, but made by YOUR BODY) release, and turn on your body’s unique ability to heal itself. It’s a very clear and concise way to attack the problem head on.
We use a non-pharmacological approach your doctor doesn’t know about
Your doctor may have told you that you have to live with your chronic pain or “this is as good as it gets”. That doesn’t mean there’s no treatment, it just means your doctor has run out of ideas or there aren’t better conventional treatments available. We often find that people who don’t respond well to conventional treatment respond very well to our approach.
You may think there’s no way out
Pain is affected by the amount of sleep you get, the food you eat, the balance of your hormones, and the amount of inflammation you have. It doesn’t take huge changes in any of these to reduce your pain a little bit, and every decrease builds on itself. With the series of small changes we will walk you through, along with our natural treatments and therapies, you can reduce and in some cases eliminate your pain so you can do more of the stuff you love.
***”I’ve had years and years of back pain that I’ve just lived with. I had three appointments with Lisa Nicholson, L. Ac. and my pain has been reduced by 95%. Now, when pain OCCURS, that is something I notice…a welcome change! I highly recommend Lisa of Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center/Eastern Body Therapy. She has a calming manner that puts you at ease and she is highly credentialed in her field.”
Dave, real estate agent
***Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors.
Find out what we can do to help you.
($25 deposit is required to hold your slot, which will be refunded or applied to your intake appointment if you choose to work with us.)
Click now to request your free consultation.
Or, just call 619-772-4002 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
Here’s How it Works:
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 support your recovery.
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 relieve your symptoms and support your body’s natural healing system.
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.
***”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 Cop
***Individual results vary. No guarantee of specific results is warranted or implied and your results will depend on many factors.
Find out what we can do to help you.
($25 deposit is required to hold your slot, which will be refunded or applied to your intake appointment if you choose to work with us.)
Click now to request your free consultation.
Or, just call 619-772-4002 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
Common Questions
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture uses tiny needles - about the thickness of a cat's whisker. While there can be some sensation during the needle insertion, it should not be painful and the sensations are quick.
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.
Is natural medicine REALLY powerful enough to help my chronic pain?
Absolutely! Acupuncture actually helps your body make more of its own “medicine”, which is more powerful and potent than any man-made drugs.
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. My goal is to get you to where you no longer need treatment and will be so happy with your results you’ll send me 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!
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.
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?
I always review medications before making treatment recommendations to make sure that there are no unwanted interactions. Sometimes what I do actually makes your medication work better!
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!
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 including calmer mood, better sleep, improved digestion, increased relaxation, and a more positive attitude and outlook.
Can your treatment help my pain, too?
Yes! Again, acupuncture is extremely effective at changing the way the brain and the rest of the nervous system communicate, including how and when pain signals are sent. Acupuncture is great at breaking the cycle of pain, and we’ve helped hundreds of people reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of pain.
Lisa Nicholson, L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist and the founder of Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center in San Diego, California. For more than 25 years, she has helped patients manage chronic pain, neurological conditions, women’s health concerns, and the physical and emotional challenges of cancer treatment and survivorship.
Lisa has developed a special focus in integrative oncology, providing evidence-informed acupuncture to support people before, during, and after cancer treatment. She regularly works with patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), cancer-related pain, hot flashes associated with endocrine therapy, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, dry mouth, and other treatment-related side effects. Her approach is collaborative, complementing conventional medical care and encouraging open communication with each patient’s oncology team.
What distinguishes Lisa’s practice is not only her clinical experience, but also her personal understanding of the cancer journey. As a breast cancer survivor, she has firsthand experience navigating diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and survivorship. While personal experience is never a substitute for professional training, it has deepened her appreciation for the emotional, physical, and practical challenges her patients face every day.
Before becoming an acupuncturist, Lisa spent eight years working as a rehabilitation counselor, helping people navigate complex medical systems and life-changing diagnoses. That background continues to shape her practice today. She believes one of the most important parts of her role is helping patients understand their options, ask informed questions, and feel more confident participating in their own healthcare decisions.
At Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center, every treatment plan is individualized. Rather than relying on standardized protocols, Lisa considers each person’s diagnosis, medical history, medications, treatment timeline, lifestyle, and goals to create a personalized plan of care. Her philosophy is simple: listen carefully, explain clearly, and provide compassionate, evidence-informed acupuncture that supports the whole person—not just the diagnosis.
Whether someone is newly diagnosed with cancer, recovering from treatment, living with neuropathy, or seeking relief from chronic pain, Lisa’s goal is to help patients improve their quality of life through thoughtful, personalized care grounded in both clinical experience and genuine compassion.
Find out what we can do to help you.
($25 deposit is required to hold your slot, which will be refunded or applied to your intake appointment if you choose to work with us.)
Click now to request your free consultation.
Or, just call 619-772-4002 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
