ABOUT THE DOCTOR:

Robert Afra, M.D.
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Robert Afra is a San Diego-based orthopedic surgeon who is nationally renowned in sports medicine with expertise in treating shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle conditions. As 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; he was named Co-Director of the International Patellofemoral Study Group Conference in San Diego in July 2011. As a sports medicine physician, he has managed and treated complex joint injuries and successfully guided patients back to peak performance levels.

Dr. Afra takes a customized approach to treat each of his patients. He provides comprehensive care to injured athletes, from sprain rehabilitation and muscle and ligament tear repairs to care for broken bones. He regularly cares for children and active adults with injuries to the upper extremities (shoulders, elbows, and wrists) and lower extremities (hips, knees, and ankles). His joint replacement practice consists of shoulder replacement, hip replacement, and knee replacement surgery, including minimally invasive surgery techniques and traditional joint replacement surgery when necessary.

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.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR:

Robert Afra, M.D.
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Robert Afra is a San Diego-based orthopedic surgeon who is nationally renowned in sports medicine with expertise in treating shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle conditions. As 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; he was named Co-Director of the International Patellofemoral Study Group Conference in San Diego in July 2011. As a sports medicine physician, he has managed and treated complex joint injuries and successfully guided patients back to peak performance levels.

Dr. Afra takes a customized approach to treat each of his patients. He provides comprehensive care to injured athletes, from sprain rehabilitation and muscle and ligament tear repairs to care for broken bones. He regularly cares for children and active adults with injuries to the upper extremities (shoulders, elbows, and wrists) and lower extremities (hips, knees, and ankles). His joint replacement practice consists of shoulder replacement, hip replacement, and knee replacement surgery, including minimally invasive surgery techniques and traditional joint replacement surgery when necessary.

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.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR:

Robert Afra, M.D.
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Robert Afra is a San Diego-based orthopedic surgeon who is nationally renowned in sports medicine with expertise in treating shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle conditions. As 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; he was named Co-Director of the International Patellofemoral Study Group Conference in San Diego in July 2011. As a sports medicine physician, he has managed and treated complex joint injuries and successfully guided patients back to peak performance levels.

Dr. Afra takes a customized approach to treat each of his patients. He provides comprehensive care to injured athletes, from sprain rehabilitation and muscle and ligament tear repairs to care for broken bones. He regularly cares for children and active adults with injuries to the upper extremities (shoulders, elbows, and wrists) and lower extremities (hips, knees, and ankles). His joint replacement practice consists of shoulder replacement, hip replacement, and knee replacement surgery, including minimally invasive surgery techniques and traditional joint replacement surgery when necessary.

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.

Matt Alavi, L.Ac

Clinical Director / Founder of ActiveMed
 Director of Pain Management and Natural Medicine
 Owner & Co-Founder of NCIAC

Originally from Chicago, IL, Matt moved to San Diego to leave the winters behind while he broadened his studies of Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Mr. Alavi graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, one of the largest Acupuncture Medical Colleges in the United States. While there, Matt trained under many of the finest health practitioners in his field, gaining a deeper understanding and knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In adjunct to his studies at Pacific College, Matt continued his education and clinical expertise at Chengdu Traditional Medical Hospital in Chengdu, China.

Mr. Alavi has obtained specialized training in orthopedics, neurology, endocrinology, immune disorders, gastrointestinal dysfunction and pain diseases. He has successfully treated numerous sports related injuries of collegiate athletes and coaches, at the RIMAC center at the University of California San Diego. Here, Matt utilized his background in sports medicine and nutrition to provide sports enhancement therapy.

As a lecturer and educator on many areas of health and wellness, Matt continues to spread the awareness and application of integrative medicine to the public as well as medical professionals. His mission is to be able to help as many people as possible, by providing the best standard of health care possible. Matt’s practice and expertise have been featured on local San Diego News and various other news media throughout San Diego.

 For the last several years, Matt has developed and directed the successful natural medicine and integrative medicine department at a medical center in Poway, CA. He is currently co-owner, founder, and Director of Integrative Medicine of North County Integrative Acupuncture center located at the Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion in Poway, CA. He is also co-owner and founder of Natural Cures, LLC., a nutraceutical company which incorporates the best advances in technology with nature, to provide products that address many different aspects of promoting health and conquering disease.

Matt believes the most important aspect in health care is disease prevention. However, when disease arises, in order for healing and wellness to occur or resume, the root (causative factors) of the disease must be treated. He has a true passion for health and his compassion for his patients is unsurpassed.

 Some services that Matt provides are acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapy, athletic enhancement, lifestyle consulting, structural therapy, hormone consultations, and neurotransmitter consults. Matt continues to expand his knowledge and research in integrative medicine by attending fellowship trainings, seminars and continued education. All Matt’s effort and learning is directed and focused on helping patients heal and become well.

Brandy Brown, L.Ac

Dr. Brandy Brown is a California Licensed Acupuncturist. She received her Doctorate from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine where her love for Chinese Medicine flourished. She received her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from San Diego State University. While receiving her doctorate, she expanded her knowledge and love for orthopedics as well as found a passion for internal medicine. With the integration of Western and Eastern medicine, she brings a unique perspective to all of her patients that is coupled with a passion to facilitate the best care possible for every individual.

As an athlete, she has a passion for sports medicine and helping athletes of all levels return back to health. In addition to her extensive experience with sports medicine, she has also treated a variety of diseases in the PCOM clinic as well as at their off-sites. She worked closely with the veteran population, addressing a variety of health care concerns including chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia. Her passion for helping people combined with her desire to bring the best level of care to her patients has always been at the forefront of her education.

Brandy believes in customizing treatments for individuals and incorporating a variety of disciplines into her acupuncture and manual therapies, including herbal medicine, lifestyle, diet, and exercise recommendations. In addition to her special interests in orthopedic, sports medicine, and facial rejuvenation, she has had success in treating chronic pain, migraines, PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, women’s health, and infertility.