Mountain cornflowers in purple and magenta

Acupuncture Β· Herbal Medicine Β· Traditional Chinese Medicine

Feel at home
in your body.

Gentle, science-informed Traditional Chinese Medicine rooted in ancient wisdom β€” helping you tune in, not force change. Serving Santa Cruz and Kirkwood, CA.

Wonder if we should work together? Let's find out β†’
Women's Health
& Fertility
Sports Medicine
& Recovery
Monthly Wellness
Tune-ups
Acute Care
& Illness
Barbara Lish, DTCM L.Ac.

Meet Barbara

Your body is wise. Let's listen.

California Board Certified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a background in yoga as well as birth and postpartum support. My approach is built on one core belief: the body already knows how to heal β€” my job is to listen with it, not override it.

I specialize in women's health and fertility, and sports medicine and injury recovery β€” while also being your go-to for monthly tune-ups, cycle support, acute injuries, and the moments when your body needs attention.

Read my full story β†’
Purple succulent with morning dew

"Small daily adjustments create the deepest, most lasting change."

What I offer

Full-spectrum TCM care

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete system of healing. I draw on all of its tools to create a treatment truly tailored to you.

Acupuncture

Precise, gentle needling for pain, stress, hormonal balance, and general wellbeing.

Herbal Formulas

Custom Chinese herbal blends tailored to your unique constitution.

Cupping & Gua Sha

Deep tissue release and circulation support for recovery and immune health.

Diet & Lifestyle

Small, sustainable tweaks to your daily routine that create profound shifts over time.

See all services & pricing
Sea-glass green succulents

About Barbara

Barbara Lish

DTCM, L.Ac.  Β·  Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Barbara Lish

I'm a California Board Certified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine who blends ancient healing modalities with a modern, movement-based perspective. My philosophy is simple: good health is a dynamic state β€” not a destination you arrive at, but a relationship you cultivate with your body, day by day.

My practice centers on two areas I care deeply about: women's health and fertility, and sports medicine and injury recovery. Whether you're navigating your menstrual cycle, preparing for pregnancy, managing a chronic injury, or recovering from a hard training block β€” I want you to feel genuinely supported.

My goal isn't to force big changes. It's to help you feel your body more clearly, trust its signals, and make small adjustments that create lasting impact. Many of my patients come monthly just to stay well β€” to manage their cycle, maintain energy, and stay resilient through busy seasons. I'm also here when something acute comes up: a sudden injury, the start of a cold, or a moment when your body is asking for attention.

My practice is also deeply influenced by Japanese acupuncture traditions, which emphasize a gentle needling technique, refined palpation, and a sensitivity to the body's subtle signals β€” a philosophy that resonates deeply with my own approach. With a background as a yoga teacher and a birth and postpartum doula, I offer patients a truly integrated experience.

Outside the treatment room, I'm a surfer, hiker, skier, and mother β€” deeply rooted in the California landscape that shapes my own wellness rituals. I believe in meeting people in the middle of real life, not an idealized version of it.

What I offer

Services & Pricing

All appointments are tailored to you. Most sessions draw on multiple TCM modalities. HSA and FSA cards accepted.

New patient visit
$160
75–90 min  Β·  Full intake + first treatment
Follow-up visit
$120
50–60 min  Β·  Ongoing care
Cupping only
$40
25 min  Β·  Targeted release
Blue flax wildflowers

How I treat

The TCM Toolkit

Traditional Chinese Medicine is not just acupuncture β€” it's a complete, time-tested system of healing that incorporates many modalities to address each body's needs for harmony.

Acupuncture

Fine needles placed along meridian pathways to regulate qi, reduce pain, balance hormones, and restore whole-body harmony. Each session is unique to what your body needs that day.

Herbal Formulas

Custom-compounded Chinese herbal prescriptions tailored to your unique constitution. Herbs work between sessions to extend and deepen the effects of your treatment.

Cupping

Glass suction cups to release tension in the fascia layer, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and support immune function. Especially effective for muscle recovery and respiratory health.

Gua Sha

A gentle scraping technique that moves stagnation, reduces inflammation, and stimulates lymphatic flow. Often used for tight muscles, chronic pain, and immune support.

Tui Na

Chinese medical massage along meridians and acupressure points that releases tension, moves qi, and restores flow. Integrated as needed for deeper muscular work or to help settle the nervous system.

Diet & Lifestyle Guidance

Small, sustainable shifts in what you eat, how you move, and how you rest β€” grounded in TCM food energetics.

Specialty areas

What I focus on

Women's Health & Fertility

Supporting women at every stage β€” from menstrual health and cycle regulation to fertility preparation, pregnancy support, and postpartum recovery. A powerful, gentle toolkit for hormonal balance and reproductive wellness.

Sports Medicine & Injury Recovery

Working with athletes of all levels to optimize recovery, enhance performance, and manage acute or chronic injuries. Whether an overuse injury or a hard season, TCM accelerates healing and keeps you moving.

Wonder if we should work together?
Let's find out.

Book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call β€” a relaxed conversation to see if acupuncture and my approach are a good fit for your needs.

Book a free discovery call

First-timers welcome

What to Expect

Whether you're brand new to acupuncture or returning after a break, here's how your experience with me typically unfolds.

1

We talk first

Your first appointment starts with a thorough intake β€” your health history, main concerns, sleep, digestion, stress levels, cycle patterns, and more. In TCM, everything is connected. Plan for 75–90 minutes for your first visit.

2

Tongue & pulse diagnosis

I'll look at your tongue and feel your pulse at several positions on both wrists β€” two of the most important diagnostic tools in Chinese medicine, revealing the quality of your qi and where imbalance may be showing up.

3

Your first treatment

Acupuncture paired with one or more additional modalities (cupping, gua sha, tui na) based on what I find. You'll rest with needles for 20–30 minutes. Most people find this deeply relaxing β€” many fall asleep.

4

We make a plan together

After your treatment we'll talk through what I observed, what I recommend, and how frequently we should meet. I may also suggest simple shifts in your daily routine that support your healing between sessions.

5

Ongoing care & tune-ups

Many of my patients come monthly just to stay well β€” managing their cycle, maintaining energy, staying resilient. I'm also here for the acute moments: a sudden injury, the start of a cold, or a week when your body needs attention.

Wildflower meadow at Kirkwood Mountain

Common questions

FAQ

Does acupuncture hurt?

+

Most people are surprised by how comfortable acupuncture feels. The needles are hair-thin β€” very different from a blood draw or injection. You may feel a mild sensation of pressure, warmth, or a brief "achy" feeling at the needle site, which usually passes quickly. Many patients describe the overall experience as deeply relaxing.

How many sessions will I need?

+

It depends on your goals and how long you've been dealing with the issue. Acute conditions often respond quickly (2–4 sessions). Chronic or complex issues typically benefit from a series of weekly or biweekly visits, transitioning to monthly maintenance. We'll discuss a realistic plan at your first visit.

What should I do before my appointment?

+

Eat a light meal beforehand (not on an empty stomach), wear or bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, and avoid heavy exercise, alcohol, or marijuana in the hours before your session.

Do you accept insurance?

+

I am an out-of-network provider. I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

HSA and FSA cards are accepted directly β€” acupuncture is a qualified medical expense under IRS guidelines.

Find Barbara

Locations

Serving the central California coast and the Sierra Nevada.

Pink tulips at the Santa Cruz office

Santa Cruz

Primary office  Β·  Mondays & Thursdays
πŸ“

550 Water Street, Building I, Suite 4
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

πŸ“ž

(970) 319-6536
Calls & texts welcome

Book an appointment β†’
Wildflower meadow at Kirkwood Mountain

Kirkwood Mountain

Available by appointment when in residence
πŸ“

Kirkwood, CA
Private sessions at your home or my office

πŸ“ž

(970) 319-6536
Call or text to check availability

Altitude adjustment · ski/bike/hike recovery · après-ski headaches · mountain wellness. Up to 3 guests treated at once in a home setting.

Get in touch β†’
Santa Cruz coastline at sunset

Reach out

Let's connect

Ready to book, have a question, or want to talk through whether acupuncture is right for you? I'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch

I'd love to hear
from you

πŸ“ž
Phone & text

(970) 319-6536  Β·  Calls and texts welcome

πŸ“
Santa Cruz

550 Water Street, Building I, Suite 4
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Mondays & Thursdays

πŸ”
Kirkwood

Available by appointment when in residence
Call or text to check availability

Send a message

Schedule your visit

Book an Appointment

New patient, follow-up, or cupping only β€” select your appointment type below. Not sure where to start? Send me a message or book a free 15-minute discovery call.

Wonder if we should work together?
Let's find out.

Book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call β€” a relaxed conversation to see if acupuncture and my approach are a good fit for your needs.

Book a free discovery call