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Monday 11am - 5:30pm Wednesday 1pm - 4:30pm Thursday 9:30am - 7pm

Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center

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San Diego, CA
Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center

Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, functional nutrition, craniosacral therapy dedicated to helping people get back to doing what they love!

11/11/2025

I was one of the first acupuncturists in San Diego to provide care to veterans outside of the VA system in what is now the Community Care Program, and my father served in the Army during the Vietnam War. I've known a lot of men and women who have sacrificed their physical and mental health while following their dreams of serving our country, and I appreciate everything these dedicated humans have given in that service.

I think about the veterans I've known not just on Veteran's Day, but everyday. Today I want to give an extra shout-out to all the people who have served in our armed forces, honoring the sacrifices they have made and their dedication to everything they do on behalf of this experiment in democracy we call the United States of America. If you are a veteran, thank you for your service ❤

11/07/2025

November means the change of seasons is really here. Evenings are darker and colder. Harvest is nearing its end. November always feels like the pivot between fall and winter when yin predominates, drawing us into quiet contemplation. Something about the approach of "Thanks" giving makes me want to take time out and give thanks, not just for the turkey, but for all the things which are going right in my world.

This year, it seems like there's so much stress and uncertainty everywhere. More people are hungry, more people are worrying about whether they'll be able to afford health insurance. Flights are being cancelled as plans are being made to visit family and friends for the holidays. While these worries are very real, there is still a lot we can be grateful for. The sun continues to rise and fall. We have access to clean water, fresh air, and our phones. Communities are rallying to help provide food to people who are struggling, bringing people together in new ways. These things which stress us out are also things which can bring our communities together, and the antidote to division is coming together for common good.

No matter how dark the times, there's always a spark of light somewhere, a flicker of yang within the darkness of yin. And when we reach for the light, we eventually find it. The "ick" will still be there, but when we can see the things which light us up, the ick is a little bit easier to bear. We could all use a little bit of ease this season!

This month, I invite you to focus not on the things which are stressing you out, but on the things you are grateful for. My favorite way to do this is to end each day by making a list of 5 things I'm grateful for which happened that day. Will you join me in focusing on gratitude this month?

10/31/2025

May your Halloween be spooky, witchy, fun, delicious, indulgent, and safe.
And don't forget, I can help you feel better after that sugar hangover 😛

10/29/2025

October 29 is National Cat Day.
Show me your cats!!!

The image is Percy-Kat, my semi-feral bundle of teeth, fur, claws, and purr, who's likeness was captured mid-yawn - a definite opinion about my working rather than paying homage to his highness when this photo was taken 😂💕😻

😺

10/28/2025

This week is all about learning. So far, music and art therapy in cancer treatment, and the neuroscience of mindfulness training for managing anxiety. And it's just the beginning of the 2nd day. At the Society of Integrative Oncology annual conference, and loving all the talks and connections.

10/18/2025

When we think about breast cancer, most of us think it's a single disease with only one treatment plan.

But there are several types of breast cancer, with very different treatments and equally different outcome statistics. Diagnosis is the same for all of them, typically imaging by either a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, or some combination of these, followed by a biopsy. From there, things become unique to each patient.

Breast cancer can be fed by hormones (estrogen or progesterone), or not (triple negative, HER2+). They can involve cells in the ducts or in the lobules. At a molecular level, their growth can be supported by a variety of enzyme and immune pathways, all of which can be targets for treatment.

Breast cancer can be local disease - limited to the breast tissue, and tumor size and the way the cells look determine the stage and grade. If the cancer is also in lymph nodes, it's more serious, AND still very treatable. If there is cancer outside the breast in other organs like the lungs or bones, it's called metastatic cancer (Stage IV) which is the most challenging to treat.

Treatment is no longer one-size-fits-all, and the trend has been "de-escalation" - a term which means doing less to achieve the same result. A diagnosis is no longer a guarantee of surgery plus chemo plus radiation, and immunotherapy has grown as a treatment strategy.

Breast cancer is no longer a death sentence, and today's treatment is not what your Mom or Grandmother experienced. Please don't let fear of the treatment stop you from getting checked out if anything seems unusual with your breasts. Early detection is still the key to the best possible outcome!

10/16/2025

I bet most people reading this have never considered how acupuncture might help someone with breast cancer. For the last 8 years since I went through treatment myself, I've dedicated my acupuncture practice to working with other breast cancer patients. I never "treat" the cancer, that's your doctor's job. I help my patients sleep better, feel more relaxed, and experience fewer and less intense side effects during their treatment.

Acupuncture can help with:

🌸 Managing pain after surgery or during radiation
🌸 Reducing nausea and stomach upset during chemo
🌸 Calming anxiety and mood swings relating to cancer and treatment
🌸 Decreasing risk of neuropathy while going through chemo (this is a BIG one!)
🌸 Improving sleep
🌸 Relieving side effects of medication including muscle/joint pain & headaches

If you're in the San Diego area and are going through treatment for breast cancer, hit me up for a free consultation and we can chat about your specific situation and how I can help YOU. Call or text (619)772-4002 to reserve your slot.

10/13/2025

Breast Cancer Awareness Month seems like a great time to remind you that lumps are not the only early warning signs of breast cancer. Other things to watch for include:

🥑 Any change in the size, shape, or feel of the breast
🥑 Ni***es turning inward
🥑 Redness or swelling in the breast
🥑 Dimpling or puckering of the skin over the breast
🥑 Ni**le discharge, especially if it's bloody or clear
🥑 Swelling or pain in the armpit or around the collar bone

Whenever anything feels unusual or has you worried, be sure to get checked out by your doctor. Early stage breast cancer is nearly 100% treatable, and early detection is the key.

10/11/2025

Imagine, your best friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She's done all the medical tests, had her treatment, and has just started to get back to work. You're eager to have her back, doing all the things you did together before her diagnosis, and you're sure she's right there with you.

BUT.

You call her to go out, and she says she's too tired. You're thinking she'd be excited to be done with treatment, but she somehow seems to be depressed. You're getting impatient with her, and you don't know what to do.

Here's the thing. Being a cancer patient doesn't stop when the active treatment is over, and many patients need 6 months to a year to fully recover from the treatment they had. I did! If your friend is too tired or too stressed to go out, please give her grace and compassion. She may look perfectly well on the surface, but underneath she's still recovering.

Recovery after cancer treatment is emotional as well as physical. She may be struggling to do all the things she did before and feeling bad about herself because her body just won't go there. She's probably got new surgical scars, and maybe she can't work out the way she once did without pain. She's mourning the body she once had while trying to figure out how to live in the one she now has.

Supporting a friend who has gone through breast cancer doesn't stop when treatment ends. Studies show that survivorship, the time when active treatment ends and surveillance begins, is the most difficult time for many cancer patients. Please don't give up on a friend or sister who isn't quite where you hope she will be after treatment. Keep giving her love, support, and compassion and your friendship will flourish even if it changes.

10/08/2025

A few facts for breast cancer awareness month:

🌺1 in 8 women and 1 in 700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

🌺Breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers IF it is detected early. 5 year survival rates for people diagnosed at stage I are over 95%.

🌺The best way to detect breast cancer is through self exam. Whether you are female or male, knowing your "normal' makes it easier to notice when something seems off.

🌺Many doctors don't take younger women seriously when they present with breast changes. If something is concerning you, be sure to be pushy - YOU are your own best advocate and it's better to have an ultrasound which shows nothing amiss than to miss an early diagnosis.

10/01/2025

International Coffee Day - a day dedicated to honoring one of my favorite beverages. AND the beginning of October which marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a cause very near and dear to my heart. How's a girl to choose which to highlight today??

Well, sometimes the answer is not one or the other, but BOTH. I'll be talking about breast cancer awareness all month, so today I'm going to focus on the sheer joy of a dark, deep, smoky, steaming cup of love. I know, I know... 🙄coffee has gotten more expensive, there are all sorts of issues with its sourcing, and some influencers would try to shame me as a health care provider for promoting it's consumption. AND it's just so delicious. We all have our vices, lol.

While it's not "health food", coffee is high in antioxidants, and an occasional cup can give you a nice lift when you're in a slump. It's best to limit the caffeinated variety to 1-2 cups or less, especially if you struggle with anxiety or getting to sleep. But when it's the good stuff, a little is really all you need (looking at you, espresso!). Go ahead...if you love it like I do, indulge a little today in celebration ☕

09/29/2025

Hi from Colorado!

This week, my husband and I are on a much needed vacation. All month I've been talking about fall while living in the humidity and heat of San Diego monsoon season. While the rest of the country has been enjoying changing leaves, apple cider donuts, and crisp chilly nights, it's been downright balmy and tropical at home.

We've both been homesick for more distinct seasons (I grew up in NY, he's from KS!), and we planned a fall trip to higher altitude and latitude for some leaf peeping. For this week, I get to wear sweaters, drink warm apple cider with abandon, and enjoy some very needed time off while visiting with family.

I may not be on social media much this week, but I'll be back in October with stories about zip-lining, steam-engine trains, and quiet evenings playing dominoes with my in-laws 🍂😻

Address

2310 6th Avenue
San Diego, CA
92101

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	1pm - 4:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 7pm

Telephone

+16197724002

Website

https://balboaparkholisticwellnesscenter.com/, http://linktr.ee/acupuncturegeek

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Our Story

At our acupuncture clinic our philosophy is that every person has the capability to heal deep within themselves, and we know that modern life leaves most of us disconnected from our bodies so we forget how to tap into that power within us. We offer services such as acupuncture and herbal medicine in order to give your body everything it needs to turn on its powerful healing capabilities. Call us today to book your free consultation and learn more about how we can help you!