Get to Know Dr. Robert R. Pontecorvo Jr.

I have worked in the medical field since the early 90's seeing patients in the ER or clinics suffering from pain, irritability, chronic illnesses, and ailments without a category. I saw medications handed out but little done for prevention or long term care. Only symptom based care. I wanted to do something different. I studied to be an Osteopath but left due to the current trend of opiates being over prescribed, and the chance of a lifetime to study under Dr. Adriana Wu who was undergoing therapy for cancer. She had asked me if I would like to learn acupuncture to help with her pain which I was fascinated to have the opportunity with so I said yes. When she passed I had the chance to study in Taiwan then China before returning to the United States where I decided to not work in acupuncture as I felt that most of the schools lacked biomedical integration as they do in Asia. It was under the guidance of Dr. Spencer Olson who pushed me to attend Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, now called Pacific College of Health and Sciences. I had the great privilege to work with some of the instructors that I met in Taiwan or who knew Dr. Wu and felt at home with integrative care. Acupuncture has allowed me the benefit of helping patients in a more holistic form while encouraging integrative influences. It takes a village to make a tribe healthy, not one person claiming to be the cure all provider. 

Not so much frustrations but I do have problems with insurances not wanting to pay or having to battle with headstrong providers in all fields that would rather spend time putting people down instead of working together. There is enough room in a patients ailment for us all to come together with the best of each working mechanism to help aid a solution. Patient's not performing therapeutic stretches or exercises between visits also are a little frustrating but I understand that a little more than people bickering so they can be a hero. 

I am a professor for Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California where I now teach online for nursing students. When living in San Diego I taught in person and since moving to Lodi I have remained teaching as I believe it gives a fresh opportunity to learn from students while expanding my knowledge based on their wild inquiries. I also walk it like I talk it, I run, walk daily, exercise daily, read various medical books and articles, love research and deep dive studies, music playing as well as listening to various styles of music, attend museums, and find new places to be lost in on hikes or bike rides. That is just to name a very short few. The rule in life is to live it, find a new thing and be out in its capacity so you can expand the mind and body. Challenge yourself physically and expand your mind mentally. I should also add, while living in the best wine capital in California, I enjoy good Zins which is one of the reasons I moved to Lodi. 

Be fit, be alive, be active, strive, challenge yourself daily, don't limit your goals because you are embarrassed, use proper ergonomics, and make a good movie if it is true that it is the last think we see before we close our eyes for good. Also, be kind to others, you never know when that person you are speaking to may be the one person standing for you.