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Dana has been a physical therapist for over 30 years. He earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in Kinesiology from University of California, Santa Barbara and his graduate degree in physical therapy from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dana has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient rehabilitation, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health physical therapy and for the majority of his career in outpatient orthopedic/sports medicine clinics in San Diego. Dana works with patients ranging in age from 8 years old to 90+ years old with both orthopedic and neurological diagnosis.
Dana has taken several continuing education courses focused on the shoulder, the thrower’s shoulder, the knees, TMD diagnosis and treatment, and manual therapy evaluation and treatment for extremities and the spine. Outside of work, Dana's passions range from vintage automobiles to surfing the beautiful beaches in north San Diego county.
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is often a result of overuse. Computing and using the mouse, stirring food in a pot, lifting heavy objects repeatedly, turning a screw driver, and playing tennis are common causes of pain felt on the outside of the elbow.
Plantar fasciitis is an injury commonly associated with overuse or overtraining. Plantar fasciitis (foot or heel pain) often occurs when the patient changes or increases their running program or is traveling and increases their walking distances quickly. A change in shoes or running/walking surfaces can also initiate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
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The term “sports medicine” often conjures up ideas of a professional athlete receiving therapy in order to play in the big game. Sports medicine can also include athletes at the college, high school, middle school, elementary school or recreational level The skill levels vary at each level of competition but the injuries are similar in severity and complexity. The goal at Proactive for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine is to return the athlete to his or her chosen sport quickly and safely, at any level of competition.
We work with young recreational athletes, club and travel teams, school teams, and retirees who want to remain active. All of these athletes share a strong competitive nature and a desire to return to their sport.
The sports medicine team may include an experienced physician, physical therapist, athletic trainer and exercise specialist. The sports medicine team assesses the injured athlete and initiates a treatment plan to assist healing and a return to their sport.
A few criteria for when to seek help from a sports medicine professional:
Proactive for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine will evaluate and assess the athlete and then initiate a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program. The greatest reward is watching the athlete we have worked with return to their sport.
The female body goes through many physical changes during pregnancy and after childbirth. We all know about added body weight during and after pregnancy. Lesser known changes include weakness of the upper and lower abdominal muscles, lumbar and sacral pain and dysfunction, bladder dysfunction and foot problems.
Getting back into shape after childbirth can be a challenge. Physically, the mother has recently experienced a grueling workout, also known as labor. Episiotomies or Caesarian sections complicate the recovery process. Time and energy used for working out suddenly become directed towards child care and nurturing. Sleep deprivation from nighttime feedings and diaper changes also interrupts the energy and time for exercise.
There are therapists at Proactive for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine who specialize in women’s health issues. Back pain, muscle weakness, and returning to good health are the areas physical therapy can help. Gone are the days when a new mother was expected to suffer through this challenging, joyful and sometimes painful time.
Like me, you were probably reminded by your parents to stop slouching and to sit up straight. At Proactive For Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, we encourage our clients to sit and stand up straight. We then show our clients how to accomplish this and instruct them why this is important. In addition to aesthetic reasons, there are also anatomical reasons for proper postural alignment.
The physical therapists at Proactive for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine have been seeing a growing trend of computer operators developing pain. The public is generally familiar itch carpal tunnel syndrome developing as a result of excessive computer use. Less well known are a variety of overuse syndromes affecting the arms, shoulders, head and neck and back pain from continuous computer use.
The common factors that physical therapists see in their clients with overuse syndromes are: