Lucy Pauseback, is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) with national board-certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
She is a certified massage therapist (CMT), holds additional certification in manual lymphatic drainage (CMLD) from the Klose Institute, and completed Oncology Acupuncture specialty training with the International Certificate Program founded by Dr. Yair Maimon, OMD, PhD, LAc. and directed by medical oncologist, Dr. Julia Hartung, MD.
Dr. Pauseback’s calling to specialize in oncology acupuncture and massage grew from her childhood experience of witnessing her grandmother undergo treatment for ovarian cancer. This profound experience led her to create La Jolla Oncology Acupuncture and Massage to make science-backed holistic oncology care available to cancer patients, their caregivers, and care teams in her local community.
As a US Army and OIF veteran, Dr. Pauseback brings a team-focused mindset to oncology care, working collaboratively as part of a patient’s multidisciplinary treatment team, with a mission to help reduce the high stress of cancer treatment. She has served oncology patients at the Acupuncture Center of La Jolla, UC San Diego Center of Integrative Medicine, UC San Diego Medical Center, Hillcrest, UC San Diego Health-Jacobs Medical Center, Thornton Hospital, Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, Swedish Medical Oncology – First Hill, and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Mitch (he/him) has been practicing in the integrative healthcare field since 1997. He co-founded two acupuncture clinics in Austin, TX before living in San Diego. His heart’s passion is in working with cancer patients and survivors, helping each person navigate their own healing experience.
“Through the experience of heartbreak and family loss due to cancer, I worked to create an environment focused on treating cancer patients and survivors. After witnessing my father battle four types of cancer over 10 years, I understand how overwhelming it is to keep up with the treatments, diet, exercise, nutrition, and more. This fueled my passion to create a space where cancer patients can feel well taken care of. There are as many ways to practice medicine as there are doctors and health care practitioners. Over the years I have focused on holding space for and connecting with each individual in my practice. I believe that this interchange is important to the healing process. Our approach brings a combination of clinical knowledge, experience, professionalism, and compassion.”
Mitch holds a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine degree from the Pacific College of Health and Science with an emphasis on integrative medicine, and a Master’s of Science from the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine. He has engaged in post-graduate studies in Classical Chinese Medicine at the American University of Complementary Medicine, with the esteemed teacher and Daoist priest, Jeffery Yuen.
Mitch has undergone advanced training/certification and practice in integrative oncology, reproductive health, occupational acupuncture (addressing musculoskeletal pain and injuries), and LGBTQ+ communities.
He has worked in a variety of other integrated clinical settings, including Tulsi Holistic Living in Washington DC, and the Carl Vogel Center – a multi-disciplinary HIV clinic. Additionally, he is a Radical Remission Certified Workshop Facilitator and Instructor.
Outside of the office, Mitch can be found spending time with his family, volunteering, hiking, swimming at the beach, cooking, playing drums and sound healing instruments, and in the stands rooting for the San Diego Wave FC.
