Gary Matson, Jr. graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 1987. He attended osteopathic medical school for the next four years, graduating from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in 1991. He completed an internship at Downey Community Hospital, Downey, California in 1992. He has been practicing medicine in San Diego since 1993. Dr. Matson is board certified in family practice and osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT). Dr. Matson is a D.O.
What is a D.O.?
A D.O. (doctor of osteopathic medicine) is a licensed physician who has graduated from an osteopathic medical school. Many people are under the impression that there is only one type of physician in the United States, an M.D.. This is incorrect. A D.O. and an M.D. have the same practice rights in all 50 states and in all branches of the US military. D.O.’s represent approximately 10% of American physicians. Both types of physicians can prescribe medications, from antibiotics to narcotics. Both can treat all medical conditions. Both a D.O. and an M.D. can obtain additional medical training in a residency program to become a specialist in fields such as neurology, emergency room medicine, ophthalmology, surgery, OB-GYN, internal medicine, or family practice.
How is a D.O. different?
If your physician is a D.O. you will most likely not notice a significant difference from the care provided by an M.D for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disorders, etc.. Both types of physicians will most likely prescribe the same medications and treatment regimens for these conditions. However, for musculoskeletal conditions (back pain, sprains and strains), your D.O. physician can offer you something that an M.D. cannot: osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT). OMT is a form of therapy in which the D.O. physician manipulates the bones and tissues of the body to improve the neurological conduction and blood flow in the injured body part. Many patients describe these treatments as “adjustments”. These treatments are often similar to the “adjustments” provided by chiropractors. In addition, D.O.’s are trained to treat “the whole person”, not to simply focus on the patient’s disease. This training encourages the osteopathic physician (D.O) to be open-minded to alternative, holistic therapies.
Dr. Matson’s Office and Practice
Dr. Matson is in solo practice. His office is located in the San Diego beach community of Pacific Beach. In addition to providing Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, Dr. Matson provides primary medical care to adult patients with diabetes, hypertension, COPD, asthma, and other medical conditions. He is a staff physician of Scripps Mercy Hospital. Dr. Matson accepts Medicare, Tricare, and most PPO insurances. He also provides care to HMO patients through Mercy Physicians Medical Group.
Prolotherapy and PRP not covered by insurance
Although a patient’s initial Prolotherapy or PRP consultation may be billed to his or her insurance, all Prolotherapy/PRP treatments are cash-pay only. No insurance billing is performed for these services as most insurance companies consider these treatments to be investigational and therefore non-covered procedures.
Organizations and Memberships
Dr. Matson is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, and the American Osteopathic Association of Prolotherapy Regenerative Medicine. He is listed on the national Prolotherapy referral network GetProlo.com.
PRP San Diego | Platelet Rich Plasma | Chronic Pain | Knee-Back-Neck-Joint Pain 