Facility San Jose Medical Center Department of Complementary Alternative Medicine Address 275 Hospital Parkway 3rd Floor, Suite 325 San Jose CA 95119 Map & Directions Telephone Acupuncture/Complementary and Alternative Medicine: (408) 972-7000 x 2376 Spine Clinic: (408) 972-7160 Appointments and Cancellation: (408) 972-3033 View your preventive services

Background

My initial experience with acupuncture occurred 20 years ago while suffering with chronic low back pain. I was diagnosed with 2 bulging discs and severe degenerative disc disease. I was unable to even bend over and tie my shoes. After exhausting every conventional therapy including physical therapy, medication and epidural injections with no improvement, I decided to explore more "alternative" therapies. Extensive chiropractic with a variety of practitioners yielded limited benefit. On a recommendation from a friend who had his allergies cured through acupuncture, I underwent my first treatment. To my complete astonishment, I walked out of the office with literally no back pain. A series of treatments following this completely turned my condition around, and served as the catalyst for my career in Oriental Medicine.

Since 1992, I've dedicated my life to helping people resolve health conditions that have plagued them for years, and have over 25,000 patient visits. The past 12 years I have worked with Kaiser Permanente's Chronic Pain and Occupational Medicine clinics to specialize, and treat a variety of pain-related conditions. Helping people resolve difficult, painful conditions is a special focus of my work and I have extensive research on the use and practice of electro-acupuncture, which is the single most powerful therapeutic tool in the world for pain elimination. In China, electro-acupuncture is routinely used in lieu of anesthesia during surgical procedures. I have developed a treatment protocol for peri-scapular and rotator cuff injuries that will eliminate 75-80% of the pain within 3-6 treatments. It is also extremely effective for neck and low back pain from any etiology. I also specialize in repetitive stress injuries such as tennis elbow, DeQuervain's syndrome, and carpal tunnel. Many needless surgeries can be avoided through this gentle, time-tested technique.

I earned my B.A. from St. Mary's College, which I attended on a basketball scholarship. I was drafted by the Golden State Warriors professional basketball team. I later pursued a career in corporate business at Hewlett Packard for 12 years, until my back injury re-directed me into medicine. In 1991, I graduated from the San Francisco College of Acupuncture, where I later taught Traditional Physical Therapy and Shiatsu. I opened a private practice in Willow Glen, which I have maintained for the past 17 years while also working at Kaiser. I have always enjoyed working in an integrated medical environment and have always been impressed with Kaiser's progressive approach to health care.

Personal Interests

I am married with a 14 year old daughter, who will probably be on American Idol one day, and a 7 year old son, whom I hope will play for the Los Angeles Lakers one day. You will usually find me coaching one of his basketball teams on the weekends or attending one of my daughter's piano recitals.

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