PRACTICE SPECIALTIES

Our National City clinic offers a full range of chiropractic services. These services include adjustments/manipulations, cox flexion-distraction, myofascial release, therapeutic exercises, foot orthotics, lifestyle advice, nutritional counseling and postural correction. Treatment is provided for a wide variety of conditions including injuries related to the home or workplace, accidents and sports.

Our mission is to implement an effective chiropractic system of spinal correction and to help educate the patients about natural solutions that will provide improved health, comfort and physical strength, while providing exceptional holistic body care and enabling all to experience an enhanced quality of life.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Joe A. Hernandez completed his undergraduate studies in Exercise Physiology at the University of California, Davis. After graduation, he went on to complete three and a quarter years at Palmer College of Chiropractic where he received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2002. Before graduating Dr. Hernandez worked as an intern among chiropractic’s elite helping treat professional athletes in the San Francisco Bay area. Dr. Hernandez has been certified as a Qualified Medical Examiner for the state of California. He is committed to helping each patient reach his or her maximum health potential using a natural approach that respects the inner wisdom of the human body. The care he provides not only eliminates the bodies aches and pains but also strengthens your immune system. Dr. Hernandez goals are to help people with his extensive knowledge of how the body works, through compassion, dedication, and exceptional service.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR:

Harish Hosalkar, M.D., FACS, FAAOS
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon (Adult & Pediatric)

Dr. Harish Hosalkar is a Board Certified orthopaedic surgeon in both the United States and India, and is licensed to practice medicine in the states of California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Florida, and in United Kingdom and India. He brings expertise in hip joint preservation and arthritis prevention surgery that has previously been unavailable in this entire region. He is an accomplished Orthopedic Surgeon who is also trained in traumatology and complex fracture care, hip and pelvis reconstruction, limb-lengthening and deformity correction, children’s orthopedic problems, tumor surgery, and neuro-muscular orthopedic surgery including management of traumatic brain injury, stroke and spasticity.

Dr. Hosalkar is currently the director of Center for Hip Preservation and Children’s Orthopedics, Inc in San Diego and also the founder and director of the Hosalkar Institute for Joint Preservation and Injury care. He is one of the founding members of the Center for Hip Preservation at Tri-City Medical Center and the Deformity Correction and Amputation Prevention Center. He is also part of the Neuro-restoration team at Scripps Encinitas hospital and is on faculty at AO North America for Trauma. Dr. Hosalkar is affiliated with the Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego & Chula Vista, Scripps Encinitas, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Tri-City Medical Center, and Paradise Valley Hospital. He is also affiliated with several surgery centers in central and north San Diego.

Dr. Hosalkar has published extensively during his career and has an extensive list of peer reviewed publications, chapters, podium presentations, posters, instructional course lectures, specialty day meetings, and visiting professorships to his credit.

With almost 24 years of experience he has encountered numerous different clinical problems and has helped to impart that knowledge and experience by frequently lecturing and teaching medical students, residents, and practicing physicians in both the art and science of orthopedics and musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation. He has participated in administrative and leadership positions in health care at both the regional, national and international level.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR:

Rakhesh Guttikonda, D.O.
Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon/ Hand Surgeon

Rakhesh Guttikonda, DO earned his degree from Kansas City University School of Medicine and Biosciences. He then completed his residency in general surgery, and fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Saint Barnabas Hospital in New York City. In the course of his training Dr. Guttikonda became a gifted hand surgeon. After years of studying natural medicine through his Osteopathic training, Dr. Guttikonda has learned to combine this expertise with his plastic and reconstructive training to provide the best and most innovative care to his patients.

“Giving Back” is also a focus for Dr. Guttikonda. It began in Medical school when he took part in a program providing free medical screening care to inner city children. He has also worked with DOCARE providing needed healthcare to primitive and isolated populations in the remote areas of Latin America. He firmly believes that physicians should contribute to the community and offer their services when available.

About The Doctor
Board Certified Pain Management Specialist
Board Certified Anesthesiology Specialist

Dr. Joshua Pal graduated Cum Laude and subsequently attended medical school with training at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. After recovering from spine surgery, he went on to complete his internship in Riverside. In 2008, Dr. Pal completed the requirements for licensure in medical acupuncture at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Pal subsequently completed his residency in anesthesiology at Harvard Medical School and attended fellowship training at Stanford University. He has been on the Medical Staff at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) since 2012 as an Affiliate and Attending. He is a Diplomate with double board-certification in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, with a focus on image-guided minimally invasive procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of pain.

Since entering practice more than 10 years ago, Dr. Pal has served as a Medical Director for outpatient ambulatory surgery centers and consulted in the development of pain therapeutics. He has given multiple scientific presentations on spinal cord stimulation, Stem Cell therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, and other Regenerative Medicine techniques, and was recently invited to present to the County of San Diego on these topics. Dr. Pal has won awards for his research in neurology and pain medicine, has published in scientific journals on non-opiate treatments of pain, and authored a textbook chapter on the advanced treatment of headaches.

Dr. Pal has extensive personal and professional interests in the minimally invasive treatment of sports injuries, as he pursues a variety of recreational athletics in his free time. He also volunteers as a ringside doctor for youth boxing in the South Bay, as well as providing pediatric anesthesia for surgical missions in developing countries, most recently with Smiles of Tecate.

Harish Hosalkar, M.D., FACS, FAAOS
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon (Adult & Pediatric)

Dr. Harish Hosalkar is a Board Certified orthopaedic surgeon in both the United States and India, and is licensed to practice medicine in the states of California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Florida, and in United Kingdom and India. He brings expertise in hip joint preservation and arthritis prevention surgery that has previously been unavailable in this entire region. He is an accomplished Orthopedic Surgeon who is also trained in traumatology and complex fracture care, hip and pelvis reconstruction, limb-lengthening and deformity correction, children’s orthopedic problems, tumor surgery, and neuro-muscular orthopedic surgery including management of traumatic brain injury, stroke and spasticity.

Dr. Hosalkar is currently the director of Center for Hip Preservation and Children’s Orthopedics, Inc in San Diego and also the founder and director of the Hosalkar Institute for Joint Preservation and Injury care. He is one of the founding members of the Center for Hip Preservation at Tri-City Medical Center and the Deformity Correction and Amputation Prevention Center. He is also part of the Neuro-restoration team at Scripps Encinitas hospital and is on faculty at AO North America for Trauma. Dr. Hosalkar is affiliated with the Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego & Chula Vista, Scripps Encinitas, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Tri-City Medical Center, and Paradise Valley Hospital. He is also affiliated with several surgery centers in central and north San Diego.

Dr. Hosalkar has published extensively during his career and has an extensive list of peer reviewed publications, chapters, podium presentations, posters, instructional course lectures, specialty day meetings, and visiting professorships to his credit.

With almost 24 years of experience he has encountered numerous different clinical problems and has helped to impart that knowledge and experience by frequently lecturing and teaching medical students, residents, and practicing physicians in both the art and science of orthopedics and musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation. He has participated in administrative and leadership positions in health care at both the regional, national and international level.

Patient Care Coordinators:
Octavio Aguirre (619) 517-6561

Surgery Facility
2014 Top 100 Hospital in the Nation

ABOUT THE HOSPITAL

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San Diego Spine Center
Patient-Centered San Diego Spine Center

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The physicians, nurses and staff of the brand-new San Diego Spine Center have created a special program that brings together a team of experienced and expert surgeons to provide seamless, coordinated care, and get you back to your favorite activities as soon as possible.

Our goal is to ensure that your stay with us is as pleasant as possible. We have created a special place to lift your spirits as you make your way to a more active lifestyle.

SUPERIOR EDUCATION

We believe the key to better outcomes is a commitment to education for you and your family. Knowing what to expect each step of the way can help reduce anxiety and prepares you for as smooth a recovery as possible.

  • Engaging community outreach seminars
  • An informative pre-op class for patients and family
  • A Patient Guidebook and daily newsletters while in the hospital

DEDICATED LACE, DEDICATED PEOPLE

Within our hospital, we have created a special area just for the care of our spine patients. You get to wear your own clothes, and family members are encouraged to participate in group activities, meals and other special events. Exercise and therapy is also in a group setting, so that our patients can support and encourage each other on the road to recovery.

WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM SPECIAL

Dedicated Unit with Spacious Private Rooms: All activities—physical therapy, group lunches and nursing care—take place on a unit dedicated exclusively to spine patients.

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Healing, Ocean-themed Unit: To encourage healing, the unit has been designed to reflect the peacefulness of a seaside town with beach cottage-like rooms, boardwalk hallways for therapeutic strolling and ceilings painted to look like you are outside—all designed with our patients’ mental, emotional and physical well-being in mind.

Dedicated Staff: All San Diego Spine staff have been chosen specially because of their expertise; positive, upbeat nature; and high motivational skills.

Care Coordinator: Our care coordinator oversees your entire stay and is a resource before, during and after discharge.

Dress for Success: Our patients do not wear hospital gowns. You are encouraged to bring comfortable clothes from home, i.e. sweat suits, shorts and T-shirts, to wear during the day to encourage the concept of wellness.

Active Daily Schedule: Our patients participate in an aggressive daily schedule, which means you are up and dressed by 7 a.m. to begin therapy the day after surgery. Patients typically do therapy together to encourage camaraderie and peer support.

Daily Newsletters: Each morning, our patients receive a daily newsletter with breakfast, letting you know what is on the agenda for the day, along with tips for healing.

Comprehensive Guidebook: Education begins in the physician’s office where our patients are provided with a comprehensive guidebook explaining the upcoming surgery, strengthening exercises and pre-surgery and post-surgery guidelines.

Coach: Each of our patients chooses a coach—typically a family member or friend—who is an active participant in the patient’s care before, during and after discharge from the hospital. Coaches learn the program right along with their loved one to provide encouragement and support.

Group Lunches: Group lunches are held in the center’s group room for patients, coaches and staff to encourage camaraderie and shared experiences.

After-Care Support Program: Graduates receive calls from the San Diego Spine Center staff within 72 hours of discharge and reunions for graduates and their coaches are held regularly with surgeons and the entire care team.

Advanced Analgesic and Rapid-Recovery Surgical Techniques: Our surgeons are trained in the most advanced analgesic and minimally invasive surgical techniques that result in less pain and a quicker recovery.

Superior Outcomes: We evaluate each patient on multiple clinical, functional and patient satisfaction criteria. These outcomes are analyzed during monthly performance improvement team meetings, and enable us to become masters of teamwork and performance. So when we say superior outcomes, we have the data to prove it.

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