*** “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.
Under current Worker’s Compensation Law, all non-emergency treatment is subject to pre-authorization based on the guidelines of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
If you are referred by your physician, our staff will request authorization for your treatment based on the doctor’s prescription prior to beginning treatment.
We help people who are recovering from injuries to recover faster and with less pain EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Our skilled acupuncturists are great at getting to the root of the problem and helping our patients to return to work as quickly as possible. Whether you are opting for acupuncture as your first line of treatment or you have plateaued in your physical therapy and are looking for something which can nudge your body back to responding again, we’re there for you. Here are just a few of the work-related conditions we treat:
- Back strains
- Neck Strains
- Herniated discs
- Shoulder strains
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Medial and Lateral epicondylitis
- Post-operative pain
- Knee and ankle sprains
- Progression in Physical therapy stalled
Lisa Nicholson, L.Ac. is a Qualified Medical Examiner in the California Worker’s Compensation system. She is familiar with the Worker’s Compensation laws, procedures for filing claims and requesting authorization, and she is qualified by the State of California to perform independent medical examinations to resolve disputes between the injured worker and the insurance carrier/employer. She is available to answer your questions about your Worker’s Compensation benefits.
If you would like to explore whether acupuncture is an appropriate treatment for your work-related injury, please contact Lisa at (619)772-4002 to discuss your case.
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 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.
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. 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, 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?
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!
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.
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., 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
