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Richard I. Gracer MD

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Dr. Gracer has been practicing orthopedic medicine since 1979. He is Certified in Addiction Medicine by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, board certified in Family Practice, and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management. A well known specialist in prolotherapy and interventional pain management, he is the first physician in the U.S. to treat intervertebral disc problems with ozone injections into the disc.

Dr. Gracer employs the best of conventional and alternative treatments. He currently runs Gracer Behavioral Health Services, an innovative and comprehensive substance abuse program that stresses the reduction of cravings. His group also specializes in treating pain, as well as other complex medical problems such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dr. Gracer also loves to teach. He was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Community and Family Medicine at UC San Francisco School of Medicine from 1980 until 2005. He has taught orthopedic medical topics at many seminars and courses both in North America and Europe.

Dr. Gracer's love for medicine is all in the family. His son worked as his partner and now owns an urgent care center. His brother is a psychiatrist and his brother-in-law is a preventative and nutritional physician. Although Dr. Gracer initially was studying for a PhD in biochemistry, he became a family doctor because he enjoyed interacting with people and seeing positive changes in his patients. Grateful to his patients for teaching him so much over the years, he says "A physician who does not constantly learn from those he cares for will always be treating his first patient."

Dr. Gracer has edited three books, Beating the Years, Beating Back Pain and Beating Sports Injuries. He also wrote an ask the doctor column for 10 years. A New Prescription for Addiction is his first book.

Gracer Medical Group is located in San Ramon, California. Dr. Gracer lives with his wife, Alice, and stepdaughter in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also very close to his children and grandchildren.