Dorfman Kinesiology Clinic

Dorfman Kinesiology Clinic specializes in injury rehabilitation as well as in long-term and unresolved cases of pain and discomfort. Massage therapy is the primary tool used to address patient concerns while movement therapy, biomechanic evaluation, Traditional Chinese Medicine and nutritional counseling may be used as adjunct treatments to optimize patient well-being. Using these noninvasive techniques, Dorfman Kinesiology has had great success in relieving pain quickly and permanently so that patients can return to everyday activities, without the use of additional medication or surgery. The clinic has been involved in the successful resolution of a wide variety of pain management cases including, but not limited to, the following conditions:

• Headache symptoms from cluster migraines to low grade daily discomfort
• Extreme TMJ and jaw related neurological problems
• High impact head and neck injuries
• Pain as a result of compressed cervical nerves and brachial plexus involvement
• Rotator cuff issues
• Bursitis, tendonitis, and arthritic pain in joints throughout the body
• Carpal tunnel
• Tennis elbow
• Bronchial ailments
• Lower back, hip and pelvic disorders
• Hernias
• Scoliosis
• Sciatic pain
• Patellar tendonitis
• Chronic chondromalacia
• Knee pain from inflammation, impact and over use
• Shin splints
• Chronic and acute ankle sprains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Morton’s neuroma
• Turf Toe

Therapists & Staff

Trevor Fox: Massage Therapist/Acupuncturist

Trevor received his formal massage education at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, then went on to receive his Master’s of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine at the same school. He is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist and is currently completing the final courses for his Doctorate.  Drawn to Dorfman Kinesiology for its excellent work in healing and patient care, Trevor has been working under Brian’s tutelage since January 2013.

Active in sports since a very young age, Trevor traveled the world in middle and high school playing soccer.  In college he played soccer for Sonoma State and excelled as a midfielder. Now he focuses on surfing, yoga, and running. Trevor’s interest in sports stems not only from the joy of the game, but also from a fascination with the way the human body works and of the outstanding things it can accomplish. Trevor’s family roots are in healthcare and he has always been a healer at heart.

Michael White: Massage Therapist/Acupuncturist

Michael is four years into his massage therapy practice, and began studying under Brian’s
tutelage in January of 2016. He received his formal massage training from
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, and went on to receive a Master’s in
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He is a licensed acupuncturist, and utilizes all of the TCM
modalities, including herbology, cupping, gua sha, and meditation. His education in physiology
and neuroscience from University of California, San Diego provided a base of knowledge on
which he has built the skills necessary to treat the human body with alternative medicine.
Michael has been very active his whole life, playing baseball early on, and now focusing on surfing and yoga. Captivated by the body’s ability to heal itself, Michael views his role as a facilitator to healing: providing each person with the healthcare they need to optimize their health.

Alex Regalbuto: Massage Therapist

Beginning in 2004, at the young age of 19, Alex had the opportunity to be directly mentored by Brian. This began an in depth relationship which covered many aspects of bodywork, biomechanics and yoga therapy. After working at the Solana Beach location for over 10 years, Alex is now located in Santa Cruz and works with Brian in the Silicon Valley and Bay Area.

Along with his training and experience working within Brian Dorfman’s protocol, Alex has also been certified in Kinesis Myofascial Integration, an advanced form of fascia manipulation and biomechanical evaluation developed by Rolfer Tom Meyers, author of Anatomy Trains.

Gavin Garcia: Massage Therapist

Gavin was trained in massage therapy by the International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB), as well as Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM). He is completing his doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and works to incorporate traditional Chinese medical theory into his bodywork.

Growing up in San Diego, Gavin began surfing competitively at a young age. After an unfortunate ankle injury, He was inspired to learn about the healing process so that he could better help others. An accomplished musician, Gavin also practices yoga and taiji and is fascinated by their parallels to the principles of surfing, music, and bodywork.

Philip Leu: Massage Therapist

Phil is pursing his Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego. He was drawn toward integrative medicine and manual therapy techniques after finishing his degree in Healthcare Administration at San Jose State University. His appreciation for body mechanics and movement science is steadily magnified with Brian’s tutelage. Phil considers himself a life long learner and seeks the Japanese concept of “kaizen” (constant improvement). Phil practices gymnastics in his free time.

 

Alex Theodorakis: Massage Therapist

Alex studied massage therapy at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) and is now pursuing his Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. A native to San Diego, Alex began studying martial arts at the age of 7. One day he asked his Sifu (Teacher) what it really means to be a master. Sifu responded “You must learn to fix everything you have learned to break”. This set Alex on to the path of medicine, learning how to heal himself and to help others do the same. In his free time Alex practices and teaches Qi Gong and Gong Fu.

 

Trevor Hawkins: Yoga Therapist

Trevor has immersed himself in thousands of hours of intense study and practice with an emphasis in the Viniyoga, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Anusara and Yin yoga traditions. He continues to study Yoga as Therapy with Gray Kraftsow and Brian Dorfman and is on the path to receive his International certification as a Yoga Therapist in 2018 from the America Viniyoga Institute.  Meanwhile, Trevor teaches locally and internationally, bringing great enthusiasm and passion to his teaching.  He uses Breath Centric movement, breathing, Mantra, and Meditation as the means to influence change and healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Trevor believes that a healthy body and a peaceful mind are the central reasons to seek and maintain a yoga practice.

Paola Feher: Massage Therapist/Yoga Instructor

Paola began studying movement with Brian Dorfman in 1991 and received her master’s degree in biomechanics from Montana State University in 1997. Her studies focused on observations of bodies in motion with an emphasis on movement as it relates to performance, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Upon graduation Paola founded Bozeman Center for the Healing Arts, where she combines her knowledge of biomechanics with her training in massage and yoga to focus on the resolution of injury and chronic pain. As of this date, BCHA has certified 9 yoga teachers through the national certifying body, The Yoga Alliance. There are 2 other massage therapists on staff who are mentored by Paola in their work with clinic patients. In addition, Paola returns to the coast with frequency in order to continue her work and studies with Brian.

Erika “Kika” Shabot: Yoga Instructor/Nutritional Counselor

Kika has been doing yoga for over 20 years and teaching at her own studio in Mexico City for the past 15. She received her certification through North County Yoga Center, run by Brian Dorfman, and continues to study regularly with Brian in Mexico and in the US. In addition, Kika has studied Yoga Therapy extensively with TKV Desikachar. Her instruction is consistently guided by therapeutic principles. With a strong desire to learn as much as she can in the healing realm, Kika continued her studies with post graduate training in functional nutrition and is currently involved in a post graduate training program in medical family therapy as well as one in yoga therapy with AG Mohan and Ganesh Mohan. Kika organizes annual workshops and retreats with Brian in Mexico City and other places throughout the country. She also manages the Mexico City office of Dorfman Kinesiology where she works with patients doing yoga therapy and nutritional counseling.

Nicole Lonner Dorfman: Writer/Social Media Coordinator/Office Manager

Nicole is a professional writer who works with Brian in producing his articles and blogs as well as the BDK facebook page and youtube videos. She is currently working on a book to document Brian’s work as an alternative health care practitioner within the modern medical system. In addition, Nicole is a long time yoga practitioner and teacher. She often assists Brian in his yoga trainings and retreats. Her chanting and musical skills provide a unique flavor to these events. Nicole manages the Morro Bay clinic and helps organize personal retreats here as well. She is the person to contact if you want more information, need help with reservations at a local inn, or require assistance in any way with setting up your retreat. She also provides fabulous home cooked meals to retreat participants, using the freshest ingredients from her backyard garden and other local sources.