We had the good fortune of connecting with Mikayla Hayes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mikayla, what inspires you?
I am inspired by individuals before me who were called to natural medicine by some mysterious, intangible pull. Most recently by Juliette de Bairacli Levy, a world renown herbalist and pioneer of holistic veterinary medicine. She had a way of connecting beauty, art and creativity to the healing world. She believed that we can be students here on Earth, and learn from the honed intelligence of plants, animals and native peoples. Her fervent dedication to her work and humble heart lead her to inform and inspire North American herbalism as we know it today. I also admire her willingness to share information and empower people with no formal education to utilize herbal medicine for their families and animals.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I am a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and owner of Lucky Acupuncture. I also work as an acupuncturist within hospitals and continue to serve the communities of San Diego and Tijuana through my work with Acupuncturists Without Borders. I have experience practicing at Rady Children’s Hospital and working with women and children in integrative community settings in Europe, Asia, and Mexico.
I specialize in Pediatrics and have the unique opportunity of training in the ancient art of shonishin, a needless acupuncture technique for children. I also delightfully work with midwives to serve women in all stages of pregnancy and postpartum, those trying to conceive or regulate their cycles. I aim to integrate my training in Eastern and Western medicine to address each person’s unique concerns and help them reach their health goals.
Other clinical areas of focus include women’s health, holistic skin care (including microneedling), acute and chronic pain management, mental-emotional health, digestive issues, and more. In addition to acupuncture, I use modalities such as moxa, cupping, herbal medicine, and nutritional counseling to address individual needs.
I’m really proud of my work within San Diego with families, veterans, first responders, individuals and children at major hospitals and now in my own private practice. I truly feel honored to be in this position and I hope to continue to be an advocate for natural medicine.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have lived in San Diego for about a decade and I still feel like I am exploring and discovering all there is to offer. For me the nature is above all and I love showing my friends and family from out of town my favorite spots. San Diego also offers some really great cuisine, so there is usually a food cruise going on too! Another one of my favorite things to do with guests is see some live music. Week Trip: Visit to Sunset Cliffs, brunch at Daybreak Island Grill, Liberty Station food hall, Nate’s Garden Grill, City Farmer’s, Black’s Beach, Mission Trails, Cabrillo National Monument, snorkeling in La Jolla, Mission Bay, music at Soda Bar, Rady Shell, Music Box, Casbah, Observatory, Flavors of East Africa at the OB Farmer’s Market, with fire spinning and drum circles, Chicano Park, for day trips Julian and Anza Borrego are fun options.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shout out to the many teachers and mentors I found through Pacific College of Health and Science. This was where I studied Acupuncture and Herbalism, but also where I found my true passion. I felt like my interests were fostered and it was a place where I felt inspired and confident. I met wonderful students who are now colleagues and lifelong friends as well as teachers who supported and believed in me. My experience throughout school shaped me into the practitioner I am today and I am eternally grateful for that.

Website: luckyacu.com

Instagram: instagram.com/luckyacupuncture

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mikaylahayeslacdacm

Facebook: facebook.com/luckyacupuncture

Other: luckyacupuncture@gmail.com

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