I’m Dr Bates a Board Certified Family Medicine and Sports Medicine Physician and graduate of UCLA Medical School.
I’m an independent Physician in private practice which means I am not restricted by insurance companies and large medical practices that dictate how a Physician practices medicine. I can teach and practice the way current research and science proves best. I was disillusioned after medical school. I was naive and at the beginning of medical school I thought we would learn about disease and health and most importantly how to keep people healthy. I was so wrong! My education at UCLA was great because I learned so much about disease and pathology and what to do when the disease process takes hold. But what about how to stay healthy and prevent disease?
I then studied Traditional Chinese Medicine full time. Seeing the power of nutrition, herbs, exercise and holistic treatments renewed my spirit. I realized there are really three kinds of doctors.
- Those doctors that think the body is broken, makes mistakes all the time and the body needs to be conquered with medications and surgery.
- Those doctors who feel the body has inherent wisdom and when given the opportunity will return to homeostasis.
- Those doctors who never really think about #1 or #2 and just accept what is currently being taught without ever questioning why Big Pharma has huge influence over medical education.
In case you are wondering, I’m #2. I’m also a doc who walks the walk. Have you ever listened to a doctor tell you something about your sport and you knew the doctor was out of shape and not in touch with their body for the last decade. I train for my sport 4-5 times a week, understand how different diets work for different goals, teach Doctors of Physical Therapy, Athletic Trainers and Family Medicine Residents about sports medicine.
Having both perspectives of an top ranked medical school education and the top ranked holistic medical education has allowed me to take the best of both. I like to teach athletes of all ages and stress nutrition and exercise as the foundation of health. When interventions are needed I believe the safest procedures with the least risk of side effects should be tried first.
I created Custom Clinic HQ so that I can help athletes outside of San Diego and the Southern California area via Skype and phone consultation.
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