An integrative patient care approach is an entirely new and cutting edge concept in musculoskeletal medicine. This holistic movement has left its imprint on many of the nation’s hospitals, universities, and medical schools. We embrace the philosophy of treating the person, not just the symptoms or disease. This uniquely collaborative and integrative approach is endorsed by our well-rounded group of orthopedic specialists which include an orthopedic surgeon, chiropractor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, massage therapist, and sports nutritionist. Our goal is the well-being and health of all our patients, young and old. Our collaborative efforts are particularly fruitful for elite and recreational athletes, with an interest in regaining function and returning to their active lifestyle.
Dr. Robert Afra is a widely respected leader in San Diego orthopedic surgery. The former Chief of Sports Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, Dr. Afra has published extensively in professional journals and books and presented at conferences around the world, where he is considered a pioneer in the study of shoulder, knee, elbow and ankle injuries in athletes and active adults. Dr. Afra is also a specialist in cartilage issues and pain in knee cap disorders, and was named Co-Director of the International Patellofemoral Study Group Conference in San Diego in July 2011. Dr. Afra completed his fellowship training in sports medicine at Boston University, where he treated a variety of elite college athletes in ice hockey, soccer, basketball, field hockey and lacrosse.
Dr. Afra was a researcher at University of Hawaii’s Queen Emme Medical Center in the field of muscle and nerve physiology, and was a surgical fellow at the world-renowned Barnard O’Brien Microsurgical Institute in Melbourne, Australia.
He has studied microsurgical techniques and the art of plastic surgery. Dr. Afra studied medicine at UCLA, where he also completed his surgery internship. Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Afra worked at the Salk Institute on an NIH research stipend. In 2010, Dr. Robert Afra was selected by the Arthroscopy Association of North America, a premiere sports medicine society, as one of three surgeons to lecture to university faculty in the United States and Canada.
Rob lives in Solana Beach with his wife Johanna and their three children, Aviya, Mycah and Jean-Raphael. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, jiujitsu, skiing, campouts with the Adventure Guides and Princess tribes, biking along the beach with family, early morning runs along the Coast, and trying to stay awake long enough to finish reading to his kids at bedtime!
Dr. Jason Kart has been a practicing Chiropractor in private practice now for over 19 years and currently serves as Dean of Education at California College, San Diego. He takes great pride in having helped countless individuals with back and neck pain, car accidents, headaches, sciatica, sports injuries, and relief from arthritis pain. He treats everyone from the professional athlete to the chronic pain patient. The key to his success has been finding the underlying cause of neuromuscular imbalances and improper biomechanics. After earning his Bachelor of Science from the University of the State of New York, he earned his Doctorate in Chiropractic in 1995 from Life University in Marietta, Georgia.
Dr. Kart is passionate about holistic studies relating to the human body. In addition to traditional chiropractic methods, he uses non-invasive techniques and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization to achieve the best possible outcome. Dr. Kart creates an individualized care plan tailored to each patient’s needs in order to give them the best opportunity to heal. He is a certified Performance for Life Practitioner and Master in B.E.S.T. Technique. In addition, Dr. Kart has completed numerous post-graduate classes in orthopedics, nutrition, functional medicine, and preventative medicine.
He believes in giving back and has worked with Stand Down, an organization that gives treatment to homeless veterans. Dr. Kart was born and raised in Westbury, New York and moved to beautiful San Diego nine years ago. He is married to his wife, Karen, and together, they have three beautiful children, Sophia, Ryan, and Justin. He enjoys music, especially, playing his electric guitar, and sports.
Dr Alexis Adiarte received her B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Montana in 2006 and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2010. She is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with over 7 years experience in orthopedic rehabilitation. After graduation, she moved to Seattle where she started her career in sports-based orthopedic rehabilitation. In 2013 she moved to San Diego with her husband where she continues her career in outpatient orthopedics, specializing in sports injuries, pre and post-surgical rehabilitation, overuse injuries, and chronic/degenerative conditions.
She has advanced training in manual therapy techniques, including mobilization with movement, muscle energy treatment, strain counter strain treatment, and myofascial release. She is also trained in advanced spinal management, using the McKenzie method. She believes in combining hands-on therapy with prescribed exercises and patient education to maximize long-term functional outcomes. Every treatment is tailored to meet her patient’s specific needs and goals.
She currently lives in Pacific Beach with her husband and son Archer. She is originally from Montana, where she developed a love for skiing and hiking. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, skiing, running, yoga, and wakeboarding.
Dr. Mo Javaherian brings a wealth of international experience to his understanding and practice of Chinese medicine. A native of Iran, he has studied, taught, and practiced acupuncture and herbal medicine in the US, Canada, and China. He is currently a popular professor and clinical supervisor at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego. After moving to the US at 17, he studied clinical chemistry at Seattle University in Washington, followed by a degree in acupuncture and Chinese medicine from the Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Seattle. In 1984 he moved to China to further his knowledge of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and western medicine, and remained there for seven productive years, culminating in a degree in Doctor of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as marriage and the birth of a daughter. While in Nanjing, Dr. Javaherian was involved in various areas of research and treatment modalities, including pain management, weight loss, and the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. He also became fluent in Mandarin. In 1991 he returned with his family to his homeland, and until 1997 ran a private practice in Tehran, specializing, among other things, in facial rejuvenation through acupuncture. Following that, he took positions as a professor at the Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and at the Michener Institute of Health and Science in Canada, while also running a private practice. In 2005, he and his family moved to the warmer climes of San Diego. When not teaching or practicing in his private office in Del Mar, he enjoys classical music, painting, reading, food, and traveling.
Jen was first introduced to yoga in college as a complement to being a student athlete. She was drawn to the increased strength and flexibility that a few yoga classes a week provided her. It wasn’t until after college when she began to notice the mental benefits her regular practice gave her.
She loves the deep mind-body connection she feels during practice and the amazing feeling of accomplishment and bliss she feels after. In 2011 she decided she was ready to take her practice to the next level and signed up for Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training at CorePower Yoga and followed it up by receiving the Yoga Alliance 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher designation in 2012.
Jen’s approach to yoga is heavily alignment based, ensuring her students are utilizing the appropriate muscles in each posture to maximize the benefits of each pose.
Jen lives in Ocean Beach with her husband Greg, their daughter Vivian and her two dogs Bentley and Wrigley. When Jen isn’t teaching or practicing yoga, she loves to run with her dogs, go hiking and explore new restaurants.
Given his medical experience in the military and fitness background, Bill McDonald is an expert functional strength and conditioning coach.
Bill has a degree in Health Science with further certifications in Nutrition, Obstacle Race Training, Fitness Training, and PIYO (Pilates and Yoga). He is a Cross Core Suspension Training Master Instructor and is a graduate of the Army’s Master Fitness Program. Bill has served in the military for over 24 years, including active duty, National Guard, and reserve duty. He spent 13 years within the Special Operations community.
Bill’s approach to health and fitness is based on an eight year study and practice of both clinical and trauma medicine. In his 20+ years as a certified fitness trainer, Bill has amassed experience working with clients of all demographic segments such as the world’s elite Special Forces, high school athletes, and mature C-level business professionals at the age of 70.
Bill’s overall goal is to help his clients understand how the human body is designed to work. This empowers the patient to identify personal physical deficiencies, improve performance, and minimize reinjury. This approach provides the active patient with the insight and skill to leap frog to the ‘next level’ of athletics and exercise performance.
Cathie Gillespie received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy as a 1997 graduate from Western University of Health Sciences. Cathie brings 20 plus years of extensive outpatient orthopedic experience to our clinic. As a former part-owner of Personally Fit Physical Therapy and Fitness (located in Rancho Bernardo) Cathie is experienced in managing and treating a variety of patients. She has a comprehensive background specializing in pre and post-op of joint replacements, shoulder, knee and spine rehabilitation as well as balance, vestibular dysfunction, and postural imbalances. She also has higher level knowledge of neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s. In addition, Cathie performs foot and ankle evaluations, including orthotic fabrication.
Cathie enjoys treating her patients as a whole by integrating the body as one that works together functionally. She feels creating and restoring function to her patients’ needs to improve their quality of life is essential. Cathie emphasizes a one-on-one manual approach such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, and neuromuscular re-education using a functional approach. She often incorporates Pilates into her therapeutic exercises to promote strength and flexibility.
Originally from Colorado, Cathie has lived in San Diego for the last 26 yrs. When not treating her patients, Cathie keeps busy with her husband and two girls. As a family they enjoy camping, taking road trips, and spending time visiting family in Montana. Cathie is an avid animal lover and when given the chance will tell you all about her German Shepherd.
Amy earned her B.S. in Biobehavioral Health from The Pennsylvania State University. Studying multidisciplinary aspects of health created a curiosity in her for exploring all roads to wellness. Her desire to connect with others one on one, and to share her passion for wellness, lead her to a career in medicine. She soon received her Masters of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Upon completion of her PA studies, she received an Officer commissioning in the United States Navy. For the next six years she would serve in a variety of settings while caring for active duty Sailors, Marines, dependents and retirees. She is continuously inspired by the dedication and resilience of our wounded warriors as they work through physical, mental and emotional wounds sustained while serving our country.
Since her undergraduate studies, Amy has had an interest in a more holistic approach to health and well-being. After her own knee injury, she experienced first- hand the benefit of integrating therapies to aid in recovery. She credits physical therapy, acupuncture, weight training and yoga as key components to her recovery from ACL surgery. Although she was prepared for the post-surgical physical set- backs, she did not anticipate the mental challenges of the rehabilitation process and set forth to expand her skills set.
Amy has completed further trainings in alternatives therapies including: 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, Medical Acupuncture and Mind-Body Medicine techniques.
Amy is very excited to work in an Integrated Orthopedic practice where she can develop individually-tailored treatment plans that help guide patients toward healing.
Amy continues to serve in the US Navy Reserves as the Medical Officer with the Marines.
During her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding, sailing, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her black lab, Montana.
Professor and clinical supervisor at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego.
Dr. Kart is passionate about holistic studies relating to the human body.
Dr Adiarte has expertise in body mechanics and soft tissue techniques
Dr. Robert Afra is a widely respected leader in San Diego orthopedic surgery.
