I have practiced physiatry for over 25 years. During that time, my practice has transformed, just as I have transformed as a person. Early in my career I cared for patients with musculoskeletal problems. A portion of these patients had pain that was persistant. For some of these people we walked to the end of the road of what conventional medicine had to offer them. Still, they suffered with pain.

Luckily, around this same time, I returned to the practice of yoga asana to address the effects of office work and stress on my own body and mind. Fortunately for me, the yoga studio where I chose to practice, Bay Area Yoga, offered a comprehensive study of yoga with the practice of meditation at its core. Until that time, I never knew about the innumerable benefits of meditation. Thanks to my yoga teacher, Kathleen Kelly Hoffman, her “Yoga off the Mat” class started a cascade of changes in my personal and professional life.

As I witnessed the positive effects of practicing yoga and meditation on my body and mind, I realized that my patients could benefit from these techniques too. This insight led me to pursue the study of Integrative Medicine. This field of medical specialty did not yet exist when I completed medical school in 1989.

Integrative medicine blends both convention medicinal options with time-tested wisdom of whole health systems. These systems include Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Homeopathy; they use complementary techniques such as yoga therapy, mind-body practices, massage, herbal medicine and energy medicine. I am also board-certified in this new field of integrative medicine. Combining the two fields to become an Integrative Medicine Physiatrist provides powerful comprehensive healing strategies and wellness ally.