Who We Are

About Lisa Nicholson, L.Ac.

Helping You Feel Less Overwhelmed—and More Like Yourself Again

When you’re facing a cancer diagnosis, living with chronic pain, or struggling with symptoms that seem to have no clear solution, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Medical appointments become your routine. New terminology appears every day. Decisions feel urgent, and sometimes it seems like everyone has an opinion about what you should do next.

My goal is to help make that journey a little easier.

For more than 25 years, I’ve helped people find relief from pain, restore balance, and improve their quality of life through acupuncture. Today, much of my practice focuses on supporting people before, during, and after cancer treatment—including helping manage chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, treatment-related pain, hot flashes, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and the many challenges that can continue long after treatment ends.

I believe good healthcare is about more than reducing symptoms. It’s about helping people understand what’s happening in their bodies, feel confident asking questions, and become active participants in their own care.

My Journey to Acupuncture

Before becoming an acupuncturist, I spent eight years working as a rehabilitation counselor.

That experience shaped the way I practice today.

As a counselor, I worked with people whose lives had been changed by illness, injury, disability, and major life transitions. I learned that healing isn’t only physical. People need information they can understand. They need someone who will listen without rushing them. They need help navigating complicated medical systems and making decisions that feel right for them.

Eventually, I wanted additional tools to help people heal—not only emotionally, but physically as well. That desire led me to study Traditional Chinese Medicine and become a licensed acupuncturist.

More than two decades later, I still believe the most effective care combines compassionate listening with thoughtful, individualized treatment.

A Perspective I Never Expected to Have

Years into my career, I became the patient.

Like many people, I never imagined I would hear the words, “You have breast cancer.”

Suddenly I found myself on the other side of the exam table—meeting with surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists; learning unfamiliar medical terminology; making difficult decisions; undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and long-term treatment.

Everything I had learned professionally took on new meaning.

I experienced the uncertainty of waiting for test results. The exhaustion of treatment. The anxiety before follow-up scans. The grief that often accompanies a cancer diagnosis. And eventually, the challenges of survivorship, when life begins to move forward but doesn’t simply return to what it was before.

That experience profoundly changed the way I care for my patients.

While no two cancer journeys are the same, I understand many of the questions that don’t always get answered during a busy medical appointment. I understand how isolating treatment can feel. I understand how important it is to have someone who listens, explains, and helps you feel seen.

My Philosophy of Care

Every patient arrives with a different story.

That’s why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatment plans.

Whether you’re seeking acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, chronic pain, menopause symptoms, migraines, digestive disorders, stress, or another health concern, your care begins with understanding you—not just your diagnosis.

Before recommending treatment, I take time to understand:

• your medical history
• your symptoms
• your medications
• previous treatments
• your lifestyle
• your goals
• the concerns that matter most to you

From there, we develop a treatment plan together.

I also believe patients deserve clear explanations. Medical information shouldn’t feel like another language. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping people understand what their doctors are recommending, what questions to ask, and how acupuncture may fit into their overall healthcare plan.

Integrative Oncology: Working With Your Medical Team

Acupuncture should never replace appropriate medical care.

Instead, I see it as one part of a collaborative approach to healing.

When appropriate, I work alongside oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, primary care physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to support each patient’s overall well-being.

My role is to help reduce treatment-related symptoms, improve quality of life, and support recovery while respecting the medical care that is essential to treating cancer.

Conditions I Commonly Treat

At Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center, I frequently work with patients seeking acupuncture for:

• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
• Cancer treatment support
• Chronic pain
• Neck and back pain
• Arthritis
• Headaches and migraines
• Women’s health
• Menopause and hot flashes
• Stress and anxiety
• Insomnia
• Digestive disorders
• Scar healing after surgery
• Lymphedema support as part of a comprehensive care plan
• General wellness and healthy aging

Every treatment plan is personalized based on your medical history, current health, and goals.

Why Patients Choose Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center

Patients often tell me they appreciate three things about working with me.

First, they value experience. After more than 25 years in practice, I’ve cared for thousands of patients with a wide variety of conditions and understand that healing rarely follows a straight line.

Second, they appreciate that I explain things clearly. My counseling background taught me how to translate complex medical information into language people can actually understand, helping them feel more confident in conversations with their healthcare team.

And third, they value compassion that comes from both professional experience and personal understanding. Having walked through breast cancer myself, I recognize many of the challenges that aren’t always visible from the outside.

When I’m Not in the Clinic

Outside the clinic, you’ll usually find me riding my bike, practicing yoga, dancing, experimenting in the kitchen, or exploring new cuisines. I believe movement, nourishing food, time in nature, and meaningful connection all play an important role in long-term health.

I’m also passionate about educating patients. Through articles, classes, and community education, I enjoy helping people better understand their health so they can make informed decisions with confidence.

Welcome

Whether you’re beginning treatment, recovering after cancer, searching for relief from neuropathy, or simply looking for a different approach to managing pain or improving your health, I’m honored that you’re considering Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center.

Healing isn’t about finding a quick fix. It’s about creating a partnership built on trust, compassion, and thoughtful care.

I look forward to meeting you.