By: TR Robertson
Two of the top orthopedic surgeons in San Diego County each practice different martial arts techniques, however, both use their chosen martial arts training and teachings to practice their sport and treat their patients’ medical issues. Dr. Neville Alleyne and Dr. Erik Stark, with Orthopedic Specialists of North County (OSNC), utilize their unique martial arts fields to study and reach high levels of success. While doing this, they have incorporated the teachings of their chosen sport to a personal lifestyle and to gain a better understanding of their patients’ concerns. Dr. Alleyne practices Wing Chun Kung Fu and Dr. Stark practices Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. In recent interviews with each of the doctors, they both discussed the history, philosophy, training, and importance of their chosen sport in their life and in their professional career. The following details those interviews and their story.
Dr. Neville Alleyne, MD
Dr. Alleyne is a member of Orthopedic Specialists of North County, practicing at Tri-City Hospital for 30 years, Chief of Orthopedics at Tri-City Hospital, and President of Orthopedic Specialists of North County. Office at 3905 Waring Road, Oceanside, Ph. 760-724-9000. He holds a Bachelor of Arts – Biology at Columbia College, Columbia University, New York City; M.D. at Mount Sinai, School of Medicine; Internship and Residency at Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University, School of Medicine; Fellowships at the Spine Fellowship New England Baptist Hospital and Total Joint Reconstruction Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard; Extensive presentations and lectures on back and spine treatment.
Dr. Alleyne’s medical background is extensive and his passion for his medical practice is infectious. Also extensive is his knowledge and passion of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Wing Chun is a traditional Southern China Kung Fu style of self-defense and physical fitness. The practice comprises quick arm movements and use of legs. The teaching includes a form of softness and repetition of performance of techniques, all in a relaxed manner. Dr. Alleyne stated the teaching of softness allows the person to use the forces against him in a manner to throw the opponent off. Wing Chun is mostly hand techniques in a close space and about 30% leg techniques. The energy comes from the center of a person, the Chi. He began his training in Chinatown in New York City.
Historically, the origin of this form of martial arts is unclear. One legend says Ng Mui, one of the Five Elders of China, during the 1600’s, witnessed a crane and a snake fighting. Ng Mui incorporated their movements into her style of Chinese Kung Fu. Later, Ng Mui taught the art of movement to Yim Wing Chun who used the techniques to defend herself against unwanted advances of admirers. With this technique a smaller individual can defend themselves against a much larger person. “Softness via relaxation and performance of technique in a relaxed manner and by training the physical, mental, breathing, energy and force in a relaxed manner to develop Chi, the soft wholesome force, is fundamental to Wing Chun”.
Dr. Alleyne said his training in the system of martial arts helps him identify his patients’ injuries and identify with the patient concerning their injury. It also helps him remain calm by using the breathing techniques and helps him listen to the patient explaining their injury. This also helps when he explains to the patient what is needed to deal with their injury and to deal with the sense of urgency the patient may have concerning their injury. He said, “Martial arts is a way of life, a way to look at life. As we get older, we can continue to live and enjoy life as long as we take care of ourselves”. He emphasized again how martial arts helps a person deal with anger, stress, teaches calmness and patience.
Ip Man, a Grand Master, said “Learn slow, do it right, speed will come”. In slowness and repetition the speed used in Wing Chun will come. Dr. Alleyne feels spine surgery is the most complex of all surgeries with a wide range of injuries that can occur to the spine with a multitude of complications. His practice of martial arts puts him in closer understanding of the body and as a religious man it puts him closer to God. Martial arts teaches him about self, health, the balance of life and discipline, all helping him in his medical field. He pointed out the repetition involved, doing something over and over will lead to an understanding of when something is done right. The same applies to the surgeon and his practice of medicine. Dr. Alleyne’s three children, all in their 20’s, also practice Wing Chun. He sums up his personal philosophy on the OSNC website, “My practice is simple. I treat my patients as I would treat my family. Each of my patients gets my undivided attention and all of their questions are answered.” Patience, calmness and understanding are his philosophy of medical practice as well as the martial arts he practices.
www.orthonorthcounty.com
Dr. Erik Stark, MD
Dr. Stark is a member of Orthopedic Specialists of North County, Offices at 6121 Paseo Del Norte, Suite 200, Carlsbad and 3905 Waring Road, Oceanside – 760-724-9000. He holds a Bachelor of Science – Psychobiology at SUNY Binghamton; MD at SUNY Upstate Medical University Syracuse; Internship at University of North Carolina Hospital; Orthopedic surgical residency Boston University Medical Center. San Diego Knee and Sports Medicine Research Fellowship; Awards Leonard Marmar Surgical Arthritis and Foundation Resident Achievement Award. Worked with faculty at UCSD School of Medicine and is a San Diego Shoulder Institute faculty member. He is a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He is a team physician for Mira Costa College and Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Encinitas, along with being named a Sports Medicine Top Doc 2020.
Dr. Stark is a passionate physician dedicated to both his sports medicine practice and his chosen sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. His practice specializes in sports medicine, with an emphasis on knees and shoulders. Dr. Stark has been training at Gracie Barra in Encinitas for over 12 years. There are over 800 of these schools worldwide. The Encinitas facility is the largest in San Diego County and the first to offer classes in San Diego. Their philosophy is to create a healthier, well-balanced lifestyle as well as offering top level competition for those who strive to challenge themselves. They emphasize that Gracie Barra teaches life lessons, self-confidence, problem solving, stress management, self-respect, self-defense, physical and mental development and weight loss to men, women, and children ages 4 and older. Their 6 main elements offered include a 16-week curriculum, pre-requisites, classes, training methods, minimum attendance requirements, and a belt system.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a fascinating history. The sport is a martial art and combat sport based on ground fighting and submission holds. It focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling your opponent, gaining a dominant position, and using a variety of techniques to force your opponent into submission. The sport was developed in the 1920’s by Brazilian brothers Carlos and Oswaldo Gastro Jr. and George and Helio Gracie. Carlos had seen, in 1920, a demonstration of traditional Kodokan Judo by Japanese Judoka Mitsuyo Maeda. Maeda had left Japan in 1904 on a trip to various countries to teach and instruct others in Judo. Carlos approached Maeda about instructing him, then took his techniques and developed the form we know today as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Others believe Helio Gracie developed the ground fighting techniques for the sport. The International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation would set the rules and standards for the competitions. In 1972, Carlos Gracie, one of the sons, moved to the United States to teach this form of Jiu Jitsu. In 1978, brother Rorion Gracie would follow and eventually co-found the Ultimate Fighting Championships by 1993. Gracie Jiu Jitsu became the foundation of mixed martial arts fighting. Royce Gracie, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, would win the first, second, and fourth UFC tournaments demonstrating the effectiveness of the style.
Dr. Stark’s interest in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu began in high school when he watched the original UFC tournaments. After finishing his 14 years of medical training he was able to commit to the minimum of 10 years needed to achieve a black belt status. Dr. Stark equates the path to success in his profession to his journey of pursuing a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. Both are challenging, time consuming, and require sacrifices along the way to achieve success. He feels any sport you choose can help with various aspects of life as there is always something to learn.
Dr. Stark feels that the physical boundaries he pushes when training with his partners on the mat help him relate to patients and their injuries. “Discipline and consistency. I owe these two factors to all I have attained in my life. Things have never happened overnight. Results have appeared as a consequence of decades-long toil. It is necessary to persist.” – Master Carlos Gracie Jr. These are qualities Dr. Stark carries through to his practice and the journey it took to achieve his medical standing and black belt. He dedicates himself to group training 3-4 times a week with Gracie Barra Encinitas founders, Master Nelson Monteiro, a 7th degree coral belt, and Professor Rafael Ramos, a 4th degree black belt, who both learned from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. Dr. Stark feels there is no greater compliment than having the multitude of competitors on the mat come to him for surgeries and refer their friends and family.
It is the background obtained from Gracie Barra that has helped Dr. Stark grow in his chosen sport and help him in his profession. Dr. Stark personally knows the dedication and commitment necessary to be successful both in his professional practice and in martial arts.
www.erikstarkmd.com
www.gbencinitas.com
