Our unique blend of natural therapies works for all symptoms of Bell’s Palsy including:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Difficulty chewing
- Drooping mouth
- Eyelid not closing
- Drooping eye
- Tingling
- Forehead muscle weakness
- Ear ringing
*** “I woke up with an uncomfortable gritty sensation in my left eye, and by midday, half of my face was drooping. I went to my doctor who said I had Bell’s Palsy and gave me anti-viral medication and steriods. He said there was nothing else to be done. It could last for months, and would just run it’s course. Then I called my acupuncturist. Lisa knew exactly what to do, and within the first week I was beginning to chew better. In two weeks, my eye no longer needed to be taped closed. After 4 weeks and 8 treatments, I’ve got about 85% of my function back. I can eat and chew normally, drive my car, and smile again. My co-workers and doctor are amazed at how quickly I’m recovering!”
B.B.
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Click now to request your free consultation.
Or, just call 619-772-4002 and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
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Here’s How We Help Restore Facial Function and Muscle Tone
Root Cause Assessment
Every person is different, and Bell’s Palsy can have several root causes. We obtain a detailed history of your specific situation, and we use a series of simple tests to figure out the root cause of YOUR particular palsy.
Precise Plan Of Attack
Next, we come up with a clear, concise, and focused treatment plan to attack the root causes along with any other symptoms you might be experiencing (such as pain in your jaw or ear, numbness or tingling in the face, ear ringing, difficulty chewing, dry eyes, difficulty sleeping, etc.). Your treatment plan will include one or more of the following therapies: acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and nutrition supplements or Chinese herbs.
Highly Targeted Acupuncture
We’ll do sessions 1-2 times per week to address the root causes as well as induce deep states of relaxation and positive mood. Deep relaxation = better sleep, and better sleep = faster healing.
Customized Herbal and Supplement Plan
We make sure you have the right herbs and supplements to give you all the nutrients you need to optimize your body’s ability to make the natural substances which replenish your nervous system, relieve pain, help you sleep, and enhance inner calm.
***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 | Accessibility
Common Questions
Does it hurt?
The needles are extremely thin, and razor 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.
Will I have to keep coming forever?
The vast majority of patients don’t need long-term maintenance. Once they’re feeling better, it stays that way.
Will I have to spend a lot of time coming in for treatments?
Most of our patients are able to get great results with once-weekly visits, though we occasionally recommend coming twice per week for a few weeks to “jump start” the healing process. A typical visit is 30-60 minutes. We can discuss this in more detail at your free consultation.
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 reduce my Bell's Palsy???
Yes! Natural medicine 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 of our patients experience pain reduction within a few visits, and have lasting results within 3-6 months. After that, many choose to come in for regular maintenance visits to reduce or prevent flare-ups due to life’s bumps and bruises. 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!
How long does it take to see results?
People often feel a shift after the very first treatment. Acupuncture is a very powerful way to stimulate endorphin release, which is the most powerful pain relieving substance the body makes.
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!
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!
I’m training for a marathon. Is it ok to go for a run after my treatment?
We recommend that you avoid strenuous workouts for about 24 hours after your treatment. Acupuncture affects the way your brain processes pain signals, and it is easier to “overdo” a workout and hurt yourself immediately after a treatment. Walking, gentle yoga, and other light exercise are fine.
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, easier pooping, increased relaxation, and a more positive attitude and outlook.
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.
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 an athlete who has experienced injury, Lisa is particularly passionate about helping other athletes, including armed services veterans and law enforcement officers, to overcome the physical and emotional pain associated with injuries. As someone who has participated in multi-day timed 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 who have experienced the rigors of field training and military service.
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