Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center

Today, I want to share my favorite topical product with you. And I'm PICKY about the products I use, both on my own body and in the clinic.

I've been following Saint Apothecary's journey since they started making this ancient/modern version of the Chinese lineament Zheng Gu Shui - literally "Evil Bone Water". The owner of the company found that the product he was buying from China was becoming more expensive and less effective, so he went hunting for the original recipe, found sources for all the herbs, and started brewing it on his kitchen stove. For my first batch, I actually bought the herbs from him and cooked up a batch on my own stove. Fast forward a few years, and now he uses imperial grade Chinese herbs that most of us don't have access to, AND he's refined his process and mastered extraction of the active ingredients to the point where I can't dream of creating the same quality in my kitchen. I love the product, AND I love the maker's story.

So what do I use this for? EVERYTHING! It's like "Windex" (IYKYK 🤣)!! It's a great pain reliever, and it penetrates deep into the tissue so it works as a carrier. Bumps, bruises, sprains, strains, post-workout soreness, muscle aches...it helps relieve the pain of all of these. I often layer it with h**p balm for an even stronger pain relieving effect. Last time I slammed my toe into the steel base on my hammock, I used this product plus full spectrum h**p to reduce pain and swelling on what was almost certainly a fracture. I also use it to relieve itching bug bites, and as a disinfectant when I cut myself or Percy-Kat gets overly aggressive. I've had patients dab it on herpes lesions and shingles (it STINGS, then cools and numbs!), irritated gums, and even hemorrhoids (the menthol makes this a bit "exciting", but it works wonders!).

I use it at the end of nearly every pain treatment I do in the clinic, and yes, I DO have some for sale :)

This quote from one of my favorite Peloton coaches really defines how I work with my patients. We're all grown-ups here, and we get to choose how we want to live our lives, what actions we want to take, what pain we're willing to put up with. I HOPE that when you choose to work with me and are paying for my services you're planning to take the advice offered, but I also know that sometimes, even when a person asks for support, they're not quite ready to make all the changes. It's OK. That's called being human!

My job is to give you the best treatment I know how to give and offer my best suggestions for helping you to heal whatever it is you asked for help with. Your job is to make decisions and follow through as best you can. If my suggestions fall flat, that's an opportunity for a conversation. If you can't do it all, you do what you can and I meet you where you are. The more we're aligned on what you are willing/able to do, the better I'm able to make my suggestions relevant and do-able.

In this culture, we're programmed to take our providers' word for everything and follow advice without question. I sure don't operate that way with my own medical providers, and I don't expect YOU to either. When you're in my clinic, we're a team working towards the goals of reducing your symptoms, getting to the root of your issues, helping you feel better.

Sound good? I offer free 15 minute discovery calls so you can meet me face-to-face and see if we're a good fit. Call or text (619)772-4002 if you'd like to start a conversation.

It's National Dog Day. My lifestyle isn't dog-friendly, so I'm currently owned by a cat and get my "dog fix" with other people's pets. Drop a pic of your dogs below and tell me about them :)

Have you ever wondered what a typical day is like for an acupuncturist? If the image feels chaotic, it's because a typical day IS chaotic. There are so many things to get done, so many priorities. My patients see a clean, well-ordered clinic which runs smoothly MOST of the time. And there is a LOT which happens behind the scenes to keep that zen intact.

I do my best to follow the advice I give YOU - 3 meals and adequate snacks daily without loading up on too much sugar; hydrate, hydrate, hydrate; make exercise a priority; spend quality time with family/friends/pets; and get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep every night. I'm perfectly imperfect just like you, and I actually put exercise into my calendar to make sure it's a priority! Self-care isn't selfish - it's critical to me being able to provide the best care for YOU.

Then there's keeping up with charting, arguing with insurance companies, bookkeeping, promoting the business with social media posts, writing newsletters, reviewing lab reports, digging into medical literature when someone comes in with something "weird", coordinating care with other providers, making sure my staff is happy and that my virtual and in-person staff are on the same page, plunging the toilet when it gets plugged, cleaning the carpet, changing sheets, sanitizing rooms between patients. There's ALWAYS something to do, and it's NEVER boring.

My favorite part...when I get to spend time in the treatment room with each of the very special people who have chosen to trust me with their healthcare. Hearing your stories, figuring out how to best relieve your aches and pains, seeing the relaxation and ease when I come back after the needles have done their magic. THAT is what makes everything else worth it ❤❤

Humor is good medicine. Sometimes life just hands you a giant pile of 💩💩💩, and I know a lot of people in my life are going through some big challenges this month. No matter how awful everything seems, a good giggle can be therapeutic and make things just a little bit easier. Hope this comic makes you laugh today 😍

Today, I want to share a little bit about the history of my "brand". When I started this business in 1997, I didn't know ANYTHING about starting a business. I was a 2nd year acupuncture student, starting to offer massage in my very own office shared with my study partner and best friend. While we weren't "business partners" in a legal sense, we shared the location and name, and we promoted our businesses together. Not the smartest business practice which caused some challenges later on, but we were two students on a shoestring budget figuring it out as we went.

We needed business cards. All our massage training was in tui na, Thai massage, and Shiatsu, so we spent hours wracking our brains to come up with a way to say we did Asian massage without saying we provided "adult" (illegal!) services. The buzz words were pretty much the same 😮. We finally decided on "eastern body therapy" as a description of the services we offered. Our "tag line" got printed right in the center where it looked like the business name, and soon our customers were referring to us as "Eastern Body Therapy." Path of least resistance, it was my brand for the next 20 years.

In 2017 I started working with a business coach who pointed out that my business name had nothing to do with my offerings, and that my logo of a blissfully napping porcupine was more suitable to pediatrics than adult medicine. With his help, I picked a new name and worked with a designer to update my logo. I decided on Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center because my clinic is located on Balboa Park, and I offer acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, functional medicine, craniosacral therapy, medical cannabis coaching, cupping, gua sha, and nutrition counseling - in short, Holistic Wellness. The name is a much better fit, and I love the logo, but sometimes I miss that little porcupine! Ironically, I've managed to fall into the "buzz words" of yet another industry which is NOT mine. It turns out that "holistic wellness" is code for "dispensary". My website now gets more hits from people looking for dispensaries than for acupuncture 🤣🙄

Today, lets talk ACUPUNCTURE. Yes, those tiny needles. Every acupuncturist has favorite point combinations which make it into nearly every treatment. Many of my patients come in with chronic pain or are going through cancer treatment. My favorite point combination is something I call "The triple martini treatment, no vodka required!" It's amazing for calming down the fight or flight response and taking stress down a few notches - kind of like a cocktail, but better for your liver!

It includes 2 points on the ear, "shen men" and "point zero" which are both super calming to the sympathetic nervous system, yintang at the "third eye" which calms the mind and brings mental clarity, and "4 gates" which are the liver 3 and large intestine 4 points on each hand/foot which adds to the calming effect while gently encouraging flow of qi.

This combo can be a complete treatment on its own, or it may be combined with other points specific to the patient.

Today's "meet the acupuncturist" prompt asks for one herb I can't live without. How can I possibly pick just ONE???

Seriously, though, if I HAVE to, it would be the single most controversial herb in the Chinese Materia Medica. This herb has been part of Chinses tradition for over 5000 years, listed as a superior herb by the ancient scholars. It was deeply integrated into Chinese culture. Its fiber was woven and used to make clothes, shoes, sails, and paper. Its flower was burned as incense in spiritual rituals, its seeds ground into a porridge for patients recovering from long illness, its roots applied as a poultice to help fractures heal, and a tea from its leaves used to calm the spirit relax the mind. This herb was also used in the traditional medicines of India, Iran, and even England. It was used in the US for gynecological pain until 1934. While many states now allow its use, it remains illegal at the Federal level.

Modern science has shown that this herb interacts intimately with a physiological system which MAY be responsible for everything we know as "homeostasis". When used in the right dose at the right time, it can be helpful for pain, inflammation, anxiety, improving mental focus, forgetting traumatic experiences, and so much more. And like every herb, using it without respect for its power can have unintended consequences.

Today's "meet the acupuncturist" prompt asks how I got into Asian medicine. Not the "usual" way...

I had a psych degree & MS in counseling and had been working as a career counselor, a job which was intended to be a stepping stone before going to medical school. But somehow I just couldn't bring myself to take the MCAT and apply. As I looked at jobs for my clients, I also "tried them on". As a yoga practitioner starting teacher training, I KNEW that mind and body were intimately connected. It was incredibly frustrating to experience how separated medicine and psychology were in the conventional medical system. I needed a medical field which saw mind and body as connected, would allow me to put my hands on people (which I couldn't do as a counselor), and not require a physician recommendation for care. In the 1990s, this was a lot to ask for 🤣

The first time I bumped into East Asian Medicine I was intrigued, but it seemed too "weird". The next time, it still looked interesting but...weird. The third time, I started wondering why it kept coming up. So I dug deeper. I learned that it is one of the few complete systems of medicine which integrate mind and body. In fact, emotional imbalance is seen as part of the mechanism for many physical conditions. And, it's not "just" needles - there was a whole internal medicine of herbs which could be part of the training. Even nutrition and exercise were part of the curriculum. Swoon!! Best of all, in 1994 it was licensable in 17 States and growing, and was even considered primary care in some of those states. I looked at the classes I would need to take and couldn't wait to get started.

In August of 1995 I ditched the counseling job, 401K, company car, and boyfriend and moved (with 4 cats!) from Albany to San Diego for 4 more years of graduate school. My family thought I'd lost my mind...I had fainted with every injection I'd had since age 10 and now using needles would be central to my work. I had my first treatment AFTER I was accepted to school so I could get a sense of exactly what I was getting into. And I've never looked back. LOVE this medicine!

I'm not advocating violence! And acupuncture really CAN make things better 😜😍.
Link to schedule is in the bio if you'd like to see just HOW MUCH better.

Rewriting stories and pivoting are the themes for our vacation week. While I do a lot of travel for family and education, this is the first VACATION we've been able to take since going to see the 2017 solar eclipse. The plan was Niagara Falls (bucket list for my husband), and the Finger Lakes where I had never been despite growing up in NY. It was going great. Niagara Falls was incredible. And then my husband woke up on day 3 with a sniffle. We checked out of our hotel and decided to head straight to our next destination. On the way out of town, we picked up a C**** test for him just to be sure. And it was +++ 🤬🙄😥.

This was an opportunity. I could scream and cry and whine about the loss of my vacation, or I could put myself in the shoes of my husband who was not only losing his vacation but sick and away from home. And he has some other health stuff which puts him at higher risk for severe disease.

So what did I do? I found an Urgent Care and got him seen, found us a new hotel and booked 2 rooms, got us settled, picked up his prescriptions and a bunch of masks, got take-out for dinner, and kept my phone on so he could reach me if needed during the night. And today, I brought him coffee and then the McDonald's he was craving. Even though I HATE fast food and I wouldn't choose to feed it to anyone who was sick. Because it's HIS comfort food. Then I went and explored the waterfront in Buffalo and brought him a sweet treat on return.

Did I cry a little last night? Yes. But now we're making the best of a not so great situation. I could make this story one of despair, or I could make it a story of loving kindness. I get to choose. We ALWAYS get to choose. And the choices we make can have profound effects on our lives and our health. There will be other vacations, and this one has turned into a different adventure than planned. Fingers crossed I don't catch it and can continue to be there for him.

Next time life drops a basket of yuck in your lap, what story will YOU choose?

Today in the "Meet the Acupuncturist Challenge", I'm sharing about my specialty. Acupuncturists are usually general practitioners. We're trained to treat everything which walks through the door, and in California we're actually licensed as primary care providers. We can and do order lab work, x-rays, and other tests.

As an athlete, I've loved treating sports and work injuries. Early in my practice I completed an extra 300 hours training in orthopedic evaluation, and got really good at helping athletes to get back into their sports after an injury. I still see a lot of sports and work injury patients, and am one of the acupuncturists who provides care to our Nation's veterans.

Since going through breast cancer treatment, it has become my mission to make the treatment process easier for the 1 in 8 women who will follow the same path. I run the only non-facility associated breast cancer support group in San Diego County, and have spent countless hours learning how to safely and effectively support breast cancer patients through every phase of treatment from diagnosis through survivorship. I work with the medical team to reduce side effects of chemo and radiation, and help to manage all of the anxiety which goes with a cancer diagnosis. I've leveraged my case management skills and have a plethora of resources at my fingertips for anyone who is in treatment in my area.

So my specialties?? Supporting breast cancer patients, orthopedic/sports injuries, and pain management. And I'm happy to help with hot flashes, period problems, brain fog, anxiety, tummy troubles, and whatever else is making you miserable. I LOVE doing what I do! I hope you never have to experience cancer treatment, but I'm here for you if you do.

I'm Lisa. Crazy cat lady (I currently am owned by ONE who marched into my home in 2016 and declared us his people. In 1995 I moved to California with FOUR in my U-Haul!), foodie, serial endurance athlete, breast cancer survivor, and medical cannabis educator. That's a hella mouthful, and it's the culmination of a lifetime in healthcare. I started running my Dad's dental practice when I was 16, and have never worked in any other industry. I KNEW from the time I was old enough to talk that helping people was my passion. I got a degree in psych, followed by a master's in counseling, and 8 years later, moved across the country to follow my dream of being an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. I finished my MS in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1999, and have been practicing and learning for almost 25 years! I was on the swim team in college (500 freestyle!), backpacked and skied through my 20s (the Adirondacks were my playground!), rock climbed through my 30's (hellooooo, Joshua Tree NP!), took cycling all the way to ultra in my 40's and 50's, and only pushed the pause for a year of treatment for breast cancer which is, thankfully, in remission with no evidence of disease. I'm not doing ultra these days, but still love pedaling - both on the road and the bike which goes nowhere (looking at YOU, Peloton). If I'm not exercising almost every day, I'm miserable! My pronouns are she/her, and I've been married for 23 years this month to an amazing man who continues to put up with me. When I'm not in the clinic, you'll find me on a bike, on my sofa geeking out on all things acupuncture/medicine/cannabis, or in the kitchen creating international feasts for my family and friends.
Feel free to drop a few words about who YOU are in the comments below. I'd love to meet you!

Hey everyone, I'm participating in the second annual "Meet the Acupuncturist Challenge". This month, I'll be sharing a bit more than usual about myself, my team, and my clinic. I want you to get to know me, and what makes my clinic different from all the other acupuncturist clinics out there. Yup, there are a few of us in San Diego, and we're all unique. Welcome to my page, my passions, and my community. I hope you'll stick around and like/share whichever posts resonate for you, and that you'll be inspired to come in for a treatment or 3 when your body or brain needs some extra care.

Ahhhhhhh, summer weekends. Two whole days to be lazy. Or not. I'm looking forward to a good workout, some quality time with a book, and a really nice dinner with an adult beverage.

What does YOUR weekend look like?

They brought us into the world. Our relationships are complicated. We love them, they annoy us, and life is definitely different once they're gone. Have you hugged your parents today? If your parents are still alive, go call your Mom. Have a beer with your Dad. Let them know you care.

Who's in for a treat??

Yes, Chinese medicine warns about eating cold, "damp" foods like dairy, and ESPECIALLY ice cream. But sometimes it's just too much FUN, and there are herbs for that 😜

Enjoy!!! 😋😋😋

Summer gut tips, part 2:

5. For bloating, avoid iced drinks and cold foods, and apply warm compresses. Hot tip: raw onions are magic for creating a bloated belly🤢--enjoy with that knowledge!

6. Ginger is THE herb of the digestive system, and drinking a cup of ginger tea daily is not only yummy, it gives great support to your guts.

7. Warm, cooked foods are generally easier to digest, especially if you experience a lot of bloating. Think warm salads, summer soups, or stir-fry.

9. Start your day with a glass of warm lemon water–it’s a good morning kiss for your digestive system!

10. Listen to your body. There are so many different eating approaches, and so many rules (see my last post! I’m not immune!), and NOBODY knows your body better than YOU. If you are craving something, eat it, and pay attention to how your body feels. Cravings are a symptom from your body to tell you what it needs or wants. Sometimes it’s helpful, sometimes it will point to an imbalance, like a yeast overgrowth (this can often involve craving sugar, which is food for the yeast). But first and foremost, trust your own gut to give you clues about your own health.

And if none of this is working, it's time for a visit to your acupuncturist! (Hopefully, ME!)

Summer is the season associated with the gut, particularly the Small Intestine, and it's a great time to share my top tips to keep your gut happy this summer: These tips can help with bowel issues, bloating, or reflux:

1. Cut the cheese (and yogurt, milk, whipped cream, ice cream...) aka get rid of dairy in your diet. Give it a try for a week. It may not sound that exciting, but the difference can be DRAMATIC. If there's no difference, go have an ice cream cone. But if there is,
appreciate the wisdom your body has and LISTEN to it. I'm not saying no dairy forever, but by avoiding it if it's a problem you take a burden off your body. And when you choose to have dairy, it's a conscious choice to live with the consequences once in awhile.

2. If you're having constipation, choose juicy, cooling fruits and foods. Think watermelon, pineapple, pears, melons. Drink plenty of water (always). You can also eat a spoonful of sesame or good quality extra virgin olive oil at night before bed.

3. If you're having loose stools (aka diarrhea, but not always), eat more dry foods. Rice, rice crackers, toast, barley, oatmeal--good quality fiber that is somewhat bland will help slow your digestive system down. If the smell is terrible, drink peppermint tea. If it's more of a situation with undigested food in the stool and just regular smell, drink ginger tea.

4. Give yourself a little abdominal massage throughout the day, in a clockwise circular motion around your belly button. Down to the left, up on the right. Do 9 circles, or 18, 27.

There's so much more, but this is getting too long so stay tuned for my next post!!

It’s been a minute since I introduced myself to you, and to honor the spirit of Summer in Chinese Medicine, I want to share what I’m most passionate about. What I LOVE.

Because in Chinese Medicine, Summer is the time of the heart, and love and passion are the emotions and feelings associated with the heart.

So, here’s what I care about: creating things, exercising like crazy, and hanging with my husband and cat. You will find me on my days off playing in the kitchen creating international feasts, riding a bicycle, reading historical fiction, or geeking out on breast cancer medical literature. Seriously!

The people I care most about are my husband, my cat (he's DEFINITELY a person!), my friends/family, and my patients. Yup, even though I'm an introvert, I care about a lot of people ❤

I'm super passionate about fitness, especially for people over age 50 with challenges like breast cancer or when recovering from illness/injury. I'm also passionate about learning about cultures through their food. Diet fads make me crazy as a practitioner, and I get excited about teaching passion for nourishment rather than restrictive diets.

What do you care about? What’s your latest passion project? What keeps your heart
happy?

Summerheat is a real diagnosis in Chinese medicine. It's how the ancient Chinese describe what happens when a body gets too warm from external factors like working out or doing physical labor on a hot day.

Summerheat damp looks a lot like heat exhaustion. Symptoms include profuse sweating, fatigue, lack of appetite, queasiness, and wanting to just lie down. This usually isn't life threatening, but it can feel pretty awful.

Summerheat heat looks more like heat stroke. Symptoms include rapid heart rate, red face, fever, severe headache, lack of sweating, and lethargy. This can quickly become a medical emergency and you need to get cooled down FAST if this is happening!!

Chinese medicine offers ways to feel better when summerheat strikes, but the BEST treatment for this is prevention.

As temperatures climb this summer, be sure to wear light colored clothing, and protect yourself from too much sun. Escape to an air conditioned space if you start to feel like you are over heating.

If you are working or exercising outside, you need more water and more electrolytes than you think. At least 1 full 16oz water bottle per hour is ideal, and a pinch of sea salt in each bottle can help replace some of the salt you lose through sweat. Low sugar sports drinks are great for electrolyte replacement, and can literally be a lifesaver. Cooler than body temperature but not icy cold is the best temperature for beverages when your body is overheating.

Cooling foods include watermelon, cucumber, cantaloupe, mung beans, and honeydew melons.

A bag of ice or a cold pack on the back of your neck, the inside of the wrists, or on the breastbone can also help to cool you down if getting into a cooler place isn't an option.

Night sweats. Soaked sheets. Waking up to change your pajamas. Thrashing about because it’s hard to get back to sleep.

Sound familiar? Is this your summer party scene lately?

Let’s get you to a different party!! One that is chill, relaxed, restful, and most of all, cooler.

Chinese Medicine and acupuncture have a LOOOONNNNGGGG history of helping people keep their cool, especially at night.

Whether you have hot flashes because of hormones, a medical side effect, chemotherapy, or steroids, we can help cool it all down so that you can get a better, drier night’s sleep.

Schedule your free 15 minute discovery call here: https://LisaNicholsonschedule.as.me/ to get started on your journey to sleeping better. Or give us a call / text at 619-772-4002 to have our office help.

First day back to the clinic after a 4 day weekend. I lay out my clothes, hit the stationary bike for an hour, shower, and find...THIS. Percy-Kat does NOT want his humans going back to work 🤣😻🐈‍⬛️

🐱

Happy Birthday, America!

Whatever you're doing to celebrate today, may it be safe and may it be FUN!

Connection, joy and play: these are the themes of Summer from a Chinese Medicine perspective.

But what if you DON”T feel that way? What if you feel disconnected, depressed, and overwhelmed with all of your responsibilities?

That’s where rebalancing your nervous system, your internal systems, and your perspective comes in. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are EXCELLENT at providing you with RESOURCES to make changes–changes that you know you WANT, but can’t quite seem to get there, because…exhaustion, overwhelm, fatigue.

Let’s help your body and mind remember how to function efficiently and proactively
again.

Call or text us at 619-772-4002 for an appointment, or free 15 minute consultation to
learn more. Or schedule on-line: https://lisanicholsonschedule.as.me/schedule.php

This is your monthly reminder to do your self-exam. Early detection is the KEY to surviving cancer, so whether you were born with breasts or testicles, those dangly bits need to be inspected again.

Be sure to call your doctor if you find any lumps, bumps, indentations, discharge, or anything else which seems "off". It's much better to have an extra exam for "nothing" than to delay finding out it's "something"!