Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicki Mercede.
Hi Nicki, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into bodywork started early—growing up with a twin sister who has Cerebral Palsy meant spending countless hours in therapy rooms and doctor’s offices. I was especially drawn to her Physical and Occupational Therapy sessions, which planted the seed that I might one day help others heal, too. In high school, I volunteered with kids with special needs, thinking I’d pursue PT or OT myself.
While studying Exercise Science and Psychology at the College of Charleston, I took a job at a local stretching studio and found myself deeply inspired by the massage therapists I worked alongside. I watched them ease long-standing pain with just their hands and presence—it felt like magic, and I knew I’d found my path.
After graduating, I moved to California to become a state-certified massage therapist. I studied at the National Holistic Institute, where I completed their Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy Program and went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Medical Massage. I also trained in complementary therapeutic modalities like CranialSacral Therapy and Lymphatic Drainage, which I now weave into sessions to support each client’s unique healing process.
After working professionally in various medical offices, I realized there was no true no one-size-fits-all approach to treating pain. Now having a growing toolbox of techniques, and a deep respect for the complexity of the human body, I felt called to build a practice of my own—one centered around the person, not just their condition.
I opened my private practice in San Diego with a simple mission: to help people finally find lasting relief from the pain they’ve carried for far too long.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest challenges came right at the start of my career. I was in massage school in 2020, right in the thick of COVID, when so much of the world—and especially hands-on work—was uncertain. After graduating, it was easy to find a job on paper, but hard to find clients. People were understandably hesitant about getting massages, and many places were still shut down or operating with major restrictions.
Even once things opened up more, I struggled to find a work environment that aligned with my values. I wanted to work in a space that saw clients as whole people—not just as quick appointments to fill a schedule. For a while, I juggled two part-time jobs: one at an office I loved but where client bookings were rare, and another that had a steady flow of clients but didn’t have the structure that supported the individual person. It was disorienting—I felt stuck between integrity and stability, unsure where I truly belonged.
I never imagined I’d start my own practice, but after searching for an office that both aligned with my values and had consistent client flow, I realized that the space I was looking for didn’t quite exist. So, I decided to create it myself. It was a scary jump, especially after feeling so stuck, but it was also the most empowering choice I could have made. Every struggle leading up to that moment helped me define the kind of therapist—and business owner—I wanted to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Balanced Bodywork SD?
Balanced Bodywork offers personalized therapeutic massage tailored to what your body needs in the moment. Pain isn’t random—it’s your body’s way of signaling that something’s off. Our job is to help you understand those signals. You don’t have to keep pushing through pain.
Many of my clients have seen specialist after specialist, only to be told their pain isn’t real because it “doesn’t show up” on scans. We’re here to tell you: you’re not crazy. If imaging and labs come back clear, your pain may be rooted in the myofascial system—a layer of the body often overlooked in traditional medicine.
What sets Balanced Bodywork apart is our whole-person approach, grounded in both science and intuition. Our mission is simple: for those who come in feeling unheard to leave feeling seen, supported, and more at home in their bodies.
Each tailored massage is a customized blend of one or many of the following soft tissue therapies:
– Neuromuscular Therapy (aka Trigger Point Therapy)
– Myofascial Release (MFT)
– Medical Deep Tissue
– CranialSacral Therapy
– Lymphatic Drainage
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Every summer growing up, my twin sister and I would go to a special needs camp in New Hampshire that was designed to support kids like her who have special needs. It was one of the rare places that was both incredibly fun and fully accessible that we could both enjoy together. What made it so special wasn’t just the activities—it was the community. We were surrounded by other families navigating experiences both similar to and completely different from ours. It was a place where we both felt seen and included. We grew even closer as sisters and made lots of core memories on that lake.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.balancedbodyworksd.com
- Instagram: @balancedbodywork.sd
Image Credits
David Veit Photography
