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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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Balboa Park Holistic Wellness Center

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

02/26/2026

Today is my Dad's birthday. He left this plain 4 years ago, and I always find myself nostalgic and a little bit teary around his birthday. I've been looking at family photos this week, and as I flip through all the things we memorialized on film, I see lives well lived. Of course there was "stuff". Every life has its ups and downs. And there were so many good times. Holidays, family gatherings, travel, life events. My Dad was dentist, and I learned how to run a medical practice when I started working in his office at age 16. By the time I went to acupuncture school, I had been running his front and back office for 13 years and those years prepared me for starting and running the acupuncture practice I've had for 26 years.

My Dad HATED being photographed and shared my passion for photography, so he was usually the man behind the camera. I have almost no pictures of just him because you always had to be sneaky to get him in a photo. Some of these feel like they were taken only yesterday, yet were so many years ago. The one I love the most was from a Disney cruise we took to honor my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. My niece and nephew were just the right age for Disney, so it was the perfect place to get all of us together to celebrate. My parents lived to see their 60th anniversary, but didn't quite make it to the 70th, may they rest in peace.

Life goes by so quickly. I hope you are taking time to enjoy the minutes as they come and go. Don't take anything for granted. We only have one life, and the whole point is to LIVE it.

02/20/2026

Suddenly this week, we've gone from warm and dry to cool and wet here in San Diego. While we've escaped the deep cold and snow so much of the country has had this winter, it's still a big change for us, and at least MY body is struggling to adapt.

The struggle is real. Big atmospheric pressure changes can lead to headaches, feeling fuzzy-brained, upset stomachs, and even irritability. And weather changes also challenge our immune systems, making it easier for us to catch whatever seasonal bug in going around. The good news is, we really need the rain and you don't have to be miserable.

Here are some self-care tips for days when it's cold and wet outside:

☔️Favor warm beverages and soups over salads and smoothies. We feel warmer when our bellies are warm.

☔️Wear rain protection if you're going to be outside for extended periods, and be sure to dry off and warm up once you get indoors. Your Grandma was right about this!

☔️Keep a pot simmering on the stove with a blend of oregano and rosemary. The oils in these plants can help clear stuffy noses and reduce sinus pressure when you inhale the steam.

☔️Slow down. Whether on the freeway or in your living room, rainy days are a great time to step back and take things more slowly. Enjoy a cup of tea or a leisurely bath. Spend an evening reading rather than at the gym. Take time to enjoy the soothing sounds of raindrops on your roof and the scents of your newly drenched garden.

☔️Play. Remember how much fun it was to jump in puddles as a kid? Why did that have to stop? Go out and splash around to your heart's content. Catch some raindrops on your tongue. Just be sure to dry off and get warm once you head inside. Rain can be joyful. Can you feel it?

02/18/2026

Myth vs Fact, acupuncture edition.
What questions do you have about acupuncture? Hit me up in the comments!

02/17/2026

Good-bye Wood Snake 🐍, hello Fire Horse 🐎!

Happy Lunar New Year. May the yang intensity of the fire horse drive your boldest dreams into reality. Wishing you blazing prosperity in 2026 🔥🔥🔥

02/14/2026

Love is love is love. May you get to spend time with someone you love today. And that includes yourself! Take the opportunity to nurture yourself on this day of celebrating love, with or without a partner.

Hug your kids if you have them, or cuddle up with a furry friend, or give your lover a big smooch.

Whatever your situation, I hope you can take a moment to celebrate the simple joy of loving and being loved.

❤️❤️❤️Happy Valentine's Day ❤️❤️❤️

02/11/2026

All the things nobody wants to discuss? Bring it on! I’m here for ALL the conversations which empower us to feel great in our bodies as we age. Whether natural menopause or chemically induced after cancer treatment, our va**nas take a big hit when estrogen declines. It can look like pain, itching, tearing sensations when we’re with a partner, dryness. Left unattended, these issues can lead to frequent UTIs, bladder leakage, and a world of hurt.

The good news? There are solutions!

🔥 Talk to your gynecologist about topical estrogen. This can be a solution EVEN IF YOU HAVE A HORMONE FUELED CANCER, and new data says it's safe, effective, and doesn't increase recurrence risk!!

🔥 Moisturize daily. Use an all-natural, ideally organic, made for the va**nal area
moisturizer as often as desired. |

🔥 L**e it up. When it’s time for an intimate moment, don’t skimp on the l**e!

🔥 Hydration is critical. If you want to produce moisture, you need to have plenty of fluid in the tank. I recommend at least 3 liters of pure filtered water with a pinch
of electrolytes every day.

🔥 Exercise those muscles. Yes, THOSE. A weak pelvic floor leads to weaker muscles in the va**na. Atrophy is a very common reason for pain with pe*******on.

🔥 Weed…WHERE??? Yes, it’s a thing. Canna*is topically can help to reduce pain
and increase sensation. Eaten or inhaled, it can help you relax, support
dopamine and serotonin production (can we say MOOD), and enhance
sensations of pleasure.

🔥 There’s an herb for that! Actually, there are a lot, and it’s not one-size-fits-all, so
please consult your acupuncturist (hopefully ME!) for personalized recommendations.

❤️

02/08/2026

I'm taking a moment this Superbowl Sunday to remind you that repeated concussions can increase your risk for chronic degenerative neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. Football, soccer, gymnastics, and other sports where falling is common like skiing or rock climbing can all lead to head injuries.

You don't have to lose consciousness to have a concussion, and there doesn't necessarily have to be a big impact. If you find yourself feeling dizzy, nauseous, or have a strong headache after "heading" a ball or taking a tumble, you may have experienced a concussion.

Turns out, there's some great data to show that cannab*s can help to reduce the brain inflammation which goes with even minor head traumas. According to Ethan Russo (Russo EB. Cannab*s Therapeutics and the Future of Neurology. Front Integr Neurosci. 2018 Oct 18;12:5), anecdotally, cannabi*, particularly chemovars combining Tee-H-Cee and CeeBeeDee, have been extremely helpful in treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) symptoms: headache, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, agitation, substance abuse, and psychotic symptoms. And multiple small studies have shown that regular use of CeeBeeDee, especially in the off-season, may reduce risk for chronic head trauma impacts. We need larger scale clinical trials to really understand dosing and frequency, but the science is promising.

It's been a minute since I've found something "new" which has excited me about my favorite plant, but there you go. If you or an athlete you know is experiencing signs of post-concussion syndrome, please reach out. I may be able to help! The combo of craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, and plant medicine can make a big difference in speeding up recovery time and reducing the long-term impact.

And for today, whoever you're rooting for, may it be a good game!

02/05/2026

Did you feel it?

This month's full moon was low on the horizon, and felt huge. I saw some great sunrise and sunset photos with the moon over the ocean, and simply had to go outside and shoot my own photo this month.

I know, I'm a few days late so you won't get to see quite this much moon if you get outside tonight, but still...there's something about standing in the moonlight which makes everyday stresses seem less overwhelming.

If you get a chance to get outside after dark, I encourage you to take a moment, look up at the sky, feel the moonlight on your face and the earth under your feet and just breathe. Ahhhhhhhh.

02/04/2026

Ladies, let's talk about intimacy for a minute.

If you're of a certain age, or have needed to take hormone blockers because of breast cancer, or have had your ovaries removed, chances are that your body is no longer "behaving" the way you'd like it to in the bedroom. Everything is drier. Skin gets thinner. Sensation is less than it used to be. And feeling in the mood? Not a chance!

Every day I have conversations with women who are struggling to enjoy intimate time with their partners, and as Valentine's Day approaches with all the pressure it brings for "romance", I want to give a gentle reminder that wherever your body is, it's ok.

Change is part of life, and whether on the playing field or in the bedroom things will be different through the years. If s*x is painful, or you simply can't find the desire, or you need what seems like a gallon of l**e to get there, you're not alone and you're not crazy.

In my acupuncture practice, I help women reduce the dryness, improve muscle tone, decrease irritation in sensitive areas, improve sensation, and generally feel better in their bodies. I can't promise that you'll feel like you're 20 again, but I CAN help you figure out how to have comfortable, fulfilling intimate relations with your partner if that's what you want.

Let's start a conversation. Discovery calls are free, and if one-on-one help isn't what you want, my class on managing va**nal wellness after menopause is on sale this month! Call or text (619)772-4002 to schedule a call, or click the link below to find the class:

https://balboaparkholisticwellness.podia.com/secrets-to-a-happy-healthy-va**na?coupon=VALENTINES2026

01/30/2026

It's been a while since I've done an end of the month reminder for self-exam. Early detection give you the best possible chance if you have cancer, and monthly self-exam is a great habit. Get naked, and take a good look in the mirror. Are there any moles or blemishes which have changed shape or color? Wounds which haven't healed? New lumps or bumps?

Take a moment to get up close and personal with your breasts or your testicles - whichever you have. Do you feel anything different? Are there new lumps? New divots?

If anything looks or feels out of the ordinary, be sure to make an appointment with your primary care doc to get it checked out pronto. And if everything looks and feels normal, make a note on your calendar to check again next month.

01/28/2026

As we wind down the first month of the calendar year, the month marked by resolutions to get back in shape, eat better, lose weight, be nicer to our families, and a thousand other things, it's time for a gentle reminder.

Health isn't a goal. It's a continuum, and it's a way of life. Big sweeping changes usually aren't sustainable. Are you moving your body regularly? Are you eating mostly real food? Are you drinking enough water and getting enough sleep? How are you managing your stress?

The pillars of "health" are the small things. Paying attention to what your body is asking for. Doing your best to give your body what it needs. At this time of year, warm, nourishing foods like soups and stews can be just the thing. Don't be afraid to drink that cup of coffee or sip that warming spirit on occasion. Move gently. Nap when you need extra rest. It all starts with slowing down and paying attention.

If you're struggling listen attentively enough to figure out what you need, it may be time for your next acupuncture visit. An hour of resting with needles can bring awareness to the ways your body needs nurturing this season. If it's been a while since your last treatment, call or text (619)772-4002 to schedule your next appointment.

01/26/2026

Shedding. Letting go. What is no longer serving you?

Many of my patients have been talking about feeling like they're in a holding pattern. No longer comfortable where they are, but not quite clear on what's next. This is showing up in jobs, relationships, and even in their health.

It makes sense, because the energy of the season is the liminal space between. The sleepy yin wood snake has been hunkering down below ground while growing and now needs to shed it's skin to move forward in the world. Meanwhile, the yang fire horse has been gathering strength to burst onto the scene with a need for action and intensity. What we feel is a weird, pregnant pause, like we're poised on a precipice.

I feel it in the world, in the endless political rhetoric and posturing, bringing the sense that the earth is literally shifting beneath my feet and everything which once felt certain is in flux. I also feel it in my body. A restlessness which isn't quite agitation, a need to take action while feeling a strong urge to take a nap. The push-pull of yin gradually transforming to yang, the space in between.

How we stay calm and centered in the midst of this upheaval?

🐍Disconnect. Start your day with a cup of tea and a walk rather than social media.

🐍Take breaks to put your feet on the ground, bonus points if you're barefoot.

🐍Find time to be in nature. Whether the ocean, the forest, the desert, or the prairie, nature is a great place to feel connected to natural rhythms which can help you feel less "crazy".

🐍Move your body. Not your hardest workouts, but consistent, rhythmic movement. Walking or pedaling, paddling a kayak, weeding the garden...

🐍Let go. Can you control it? Can you act on it? Will your action truly make a difference? If the answer is no, let it go. Focus your limited energy where it has impact.

What is the snake calling for you to do before the year ends? Drop your comments below...

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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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!