Who We Are | FUSION Physical Medicine

Who We Are

Dr. Brizzie

Dr. Ron Brizzie is a San Diego native who attended Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Penasquitos. He excelled academically while also being nominated for athlete of the year in golf where he served as the team captain. He participated in San Diego Junior Golf where he was one of the top athletes for his age group from 8 to 17 years old. He was active in community service and has volunteered in medical clinics throughout San Diego as well as in Mexico with the Flying Samaritans and 1000 Smiles Foundation.

He attended University of California San Diego (ranked third in the nation for public colleges) where he completed his undergraduate work Cum Laude with honors and high distinction. For his Honors Thesis, Dr. Brizzie studied treatments for circadian rhythm disorders in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. After graduation, he was awarded the prestigious Bradley Hospital Sleep Research Apprenticeship Award at the Brown School of Medicine where he worked with adolescent circadian rhythm studies. He was part of a team leading the field in understanding sleep cycles throughout development.

Dr. Brizzie performed his medical school training at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was elected president of the Sigma Sigma Phi national honor society at the university where he participated in multiple community programs from mentoring students at the John F. Kennedy School to teaching local medical health programs. Dr. Brizzie achieved honor status in multiple courses and rotations during his training program.

He completed his internship at Downey Regional Medical Center where he received the Outstanding Intern of the Year Award for his performance and leadership. Following internship, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles/GLAVA residency program in physical medicine and rehabilitation receiving his board certification. His program focused on sports medicine, pain management, traumatic brain, and spinal cord injuries as well as joint, bone, ligament, tendon, and muscle conditions. He had the opportunity to train in the world-famous Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. Dr. Brizzie worked with some of the top orthopedic and spine surgical specialists throughout the Los Angeles area. He had the opportunity to work with and rehabilitate veterans suffering from a variety of combat related injuries. Dr. Brizzie also served as the physician for the Inglewood High School football team during his residency. His research in residency focused on lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition causing narrowing in the lower spine, and response to various treatment approaches.

Following residency training, he completed extensive coursework specializing in ultrasound diagnostics and injection guidance through the Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This tool allows for the immediate, in office, evaluation of a variety of different conditions. Ultrasound evaluation can specifically identify the cause and ensure the best treatment options. It also allows for precise targeting of injection therapies, through ultrasound needle guidance, to provide the optimum results.

He also developed a strong interest in regenerative medicine and has been working with a variety of cell-based therapies and prolotherapy for the past 15 years. He was one of the first specialists to offer platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapies in San Diego County. His team customizes PRP treatments for each unique case including platelet concentration and leukocyte cell levels.

Dr. Brizzie has also incorporated Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), a non-surgical/non-injection procedure, into his practice used to treat a variety of medical conditions. This noninvasive innovative technology stimulates the body’s own healing response to repair tissue including bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. There is no lengthy recovery period and virtually no side effects or time off needed from activities/work. This treatment has been very effective for patients and can be combined with PRP, prolotherapy and other procedures further improving outcomes.

Dr. Brizzie is in private practice and was the founder of Fusion Physical Medicine. Being in private practice, he has access to many therapies most clinics do not offer. This setting also allows him to have a very personal approach to his patients, ensuring they receive the best care possible. He has put together a solid team providing exceptional care from start to finish. Dr. Brizzie is passionate about what he does and looks forward to putting together a personalized treatment program for you to achieve your goals.

Melissa Brizzie, L.Ac.

Melissa has the unique ability to combine her knowledge of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, with over 17 years of experience teaching Yoga and Meditation. She was drawn to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) because of its effectiveness in treating the whole person with a non-invasive approach.

Melissa joined Dr. Brizzie’s practice and the Fusion Physical Medicine team in 2011. She specializes in treating musculo-skeletal pain, along with the conditions that can often be found when pain is present, such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, digestive and neurological disorders. Due to Melissa’s caring and gentle touch and wonderfully soothing voice, patients often feel at ease and relaxed while receiving their individual sessions.

Melissa earned a Master of Science of Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) degree from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, and has been certified and licensed by the California Acupuncture Board since 2009. As part of her clinical education in SD, she had the unique opportunity to intern at Rady’s Children’s hospital in the oncology and pain departments. She also practiced at the Owen Clinic for HIV/AIDS treatment at UCSD Medical Center, and worked at a busy downtown Senior’s Clinic. Then Melissa had the rare opportunity to acquire a busy acupuncture clinic from a retiring practitioner, and the privilege to treat many patients with a broad array of conditions.

If you have any questions about how acupuncture works or if acupuncture would be helpful for your condition, Melissa is happy to share her knowledge and care with you.

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Welcome to Fusion Physical Medicine! We are non-surgical specialists in shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, hip, knee, ankle/foot and spine conditions as well as injuries. Our goal is to give you personalized treatment with a variety of options not found at other clinics. You will see a physician on every visit. We value our patients, return your calls, and will schedule you promptly. There are often same day and next day appointments to get you back to enjoying your life as soon as possible. Give us a call, we look forward to seeing you!

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