Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. It is used to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. It also can be used to maintain wellness. At High Desert Medical Group, acupuncture is used with traditional medical practices as a complementary approach to help patients achieve and maintain their health goals.

The job of an allergist/immunologist is to diagnose, manage, and treat diseases related to allergies. Preventing these types of illnesses is also an important role of the allergist and immunologist. Doctors who wish to study this specialty must complete several years of training beyond medical school. For example, the allergist/immunologist will undergo a residency in either internal medicine or pediatrics. After passing board exams for this training, he or she will continue on with a fellowship in allergy/immunology in order to pass yet another certifying exam. In addition to the more commonly-recognized allergies to pets and dust, the allergist/immunologist will also be qualified to work with a variety of other immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases. They are able to work with these chronic conditions in order to provide patients with a better quality of life. Doctors will use a variety of diagnostic tests to determine a patient's condition and will work directly with the patient to determine the best course of treatment, ranging from antihistamines to asthma inhalers and beyond. The allergist and immunologist will typically work with patients who have concerns relating to: • Animal Allergies • Food Allergies • Medicine Allergies • Asthma • Hay Fever • Eczema • Hives • Immune Disorders • Sinusitis

An audiologist is a health-care professional specializing in identifying, diagnosing, treating and monitoring disorders of the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear. Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and/or treat hearing, tinnitus, or balance problems. They dispense, manage, and rehabilitate hearing aids and assess candidacy for and map cochlear implants.

Cardiologist, a specialty of internal medicine is a Physician who specialize in the field of medicine dealing with disorders of the heart. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology.

Chiropractors specialize in alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, under the belief that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system. It is the largest alternative medical profession. The main chiropractic treatment technique involves manual therapy, especially manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissues, but may also include exercises and health and lifestyle counseling.The "specific focus of chiropractic practice" is chiropractic subluxation, a concept for whose existence there is no good scientific evidence. Traditional chiropractic assumes that a vertebral subluxation or spinal joint dysfunction interferes with the body's function and its innate intelligence.

(See Otolaryngology)

An Endorinologist specializes in the branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones. It is also concerned with the integration of developmental events proliferation, growth, and differentiation, and the psychological or behavioral activities of metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sleep, digestion, respiration, excretion, mood, stress, lactation, movement, reproduction, and sensory perception caused by hormones. Specializations include behavioral endocrinology and comparative endocrinology.

If your Primary Care Physician determines that you need counseling services, you may be referred to the appropriate provider according to your insurance carrier’s policy. Some insurance policies do not provide coverage for counseling services, while others limit the type of counseling services you can receive, or to whom you can go to for counseling. Please contact your health plan to recieve information regarding your mental health provider.

Gastroenterologist specializes in Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which include the organs from mouth to anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this speciality. They have usually completed about eight years of pre-medical and medical education, a year-long internship (if this is not a part of the residency), three years of an internal medicine residency, and two to three years in the gastroenterology fellowship.

This specialty focuses on health care of the elderly. It aims to promote health and to prevent and treat diseases and disabilities in older adults. Geriatrics was separated from internal medicine as a distinct entity in the same way that pediatrics is separated from adult internal medicine and neonatology is separated from pediatrics. There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician. Rather, this is determined by a profile of the typical problems that geriatrics focuses on.

This specialist focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of blood diseases (hematology) and cancer (oncology), and research into them. Hematology-oncology includes such diseases as iron deficiency anemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, the thalassemias, leukemias and lymphomas.

Infectious diseases, also known as communicable diseases, contagious diseases or transmissible diseases, are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. The diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases of animals that can cause disease when transmitted to humans. An infectious disease (ID) specialist is a doctor of internal medicine who is qualified as an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Not everyone who has an infectious disease needs an infectious disease specialist. Generally, infections are initially diagnosed by primary care physicians or internal medicine doctors. Your primary care physician will determine if you have a need to see an ID specialist.

Infertility is a medical condition resulting in the inability to contribute to conception of a child. Infertility also includes the inability to carry a pregnancy to the delivery of a live baby. If you are in need of infertility treatments your primary care physician may refer you to a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and urology.

A Nephrologist will evaluate and treat conditions associated with the function of your kidneys to identify potential problems or disease. Dialysis When your kidneys are healthy, they clean your blood. They also make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. When your kidneys fail, you need treatment to replace the work your kidneys used to do. Unless you have a kidney transplant, you will need a treatment called dialysis. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both types filter your blood to rid your body of harmful wastes, extra salt and water. Hemodialysis does that with a machine. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your abdomen, called the peritoneal membrane, to filter your blood. They also require that you follow a special diet. Your Primary Care Physician will determine if you are in need of dialysis. If you are in need of dialysis your doctor will refer you to a specialist who will help you determine which type of treatment is best for you.

A Neurologist specializes is the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system. Neurological disorders, such as the inability to control body movements, uncontrollable tremors, loss of sensation, memory disorders and involuntary speech tics, are complicated and affect the quality of life of the patient, family and friends.

An obstetrician is a physician who delivers babies and is in the practice of obstetrics while a gynecologist is a physician who specializes in treating diseases of the female reproductive organs. An obstetrician/gynecologist is thus a physician who both delivers babies and treats diseases of the female reproductive organs. Abbreviated commonly as OB/GYN.

This branch of medicine is concerned with the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of the eyes and related structures, and with determination and correction of vision problems using lenses and other optical aids. Patients usually come directly and are not usually referred by other professionals. Primary care optometric practitioners may refer some of their patients to other practitioners such as ophthalmologists, neurologists or to other optometric specialists for specialized services such as pediatric optometry, low vision aids or highly specialized aspects of contact lens fitting. A specialist in this branch of medicine is concerned with the study of the physiology, anatomy, and pathology of the eye and the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye.

This medical specialty is concerned with the preservation, restoration, and development of form and function of the extremities, spine, and associated structures by medical, surgical, and physical methods. Our highly qualified Orthopedic specialists treat both the surgical and non-surgical injuries and disorders of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues of the body for patients of all ages. Our Board Certified Orthopedic surgeons have proactively embraced the latest technologies in this very specialized field of medicine. You will receive the focused expertise that you require for the best in orthopedic treatment and care. Orthopedic Surgery This branch of surgery deals with the correction of injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments. Our highly qualified Orthopedic specialists treat both the surgical and non-surgical injuries and disorders of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues of the body for patients of all ages. Our Board Certified Orthopedic surgeons have proactively embraced the latest technologies in this very specialized field of medicine. You will receive the focused expertise that you require for the best in orthopedic treatment and care.

Otolaryngology: A medical and surgical specialty concerned with the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck, including the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx (mouth and throat). Subspecialty areas within otolaryngology include pediatric otolaryngology (children), otology/neurotology (ears, balance, and tinnitus), allergy, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck, laryngology (throat), and rhinology (nose). Otolaryngology is commonly called ENT.

The Nerve Block Program is a form of pain management that blocks nerve signals to the brain to achieve pain relief. Through a referral by your Primary Care Physician, High Desert Medical Group patients have access to pain management specialists who utilize the Nerve Block program. This program has been established by a physician specializing in anesthesiology for our patients with chronic pain. Based on diagnostic and physical findings determined by your primary care provider, special procedures may be performed to help alleviate or eliminate your pain. The provider practices a multi-disciplinary approach and will consult with your treating physician in the decision-making process for the best treatment and management of your pain.

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children and adolescents. Our panel of highly skilled and Board Certified Pediatric physicians provides in-depth care for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect newborns, children, and adolescents. Our providers will help parents be more aware of their child’s stages of development, the steps they can take to keep their children healthy, and the options they have when their children need medical services.

A perinatologist manages the care of complicated, high-risk pregnancies.

Physical Therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility - in many cases without expensive surgery and often reducing the need for long-term use of prescription medications and their side effects.

Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg.Our podiatry team comprises a panel of highly trained and skilled podiatrists to treat your various foot conditions including toenail fungus, diabetic foot care, hammertoe, and plantar fasciitis.

Psychiatrist a physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. A psychiatrist must receive additional training and serve a supervised residency in his or her specialty.

This branch of medicine deals with the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs. Pulmonology is the science concerned with the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the lungs. Your Primary Care Physician will assess your need to see a specialist in this area, and if necessary, issue a referral for further diagnosis and treatment.

Radiation/Radiation therapy is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist may use radiation to cure cancer or to relieve a cancer patient’s pain or alleviate other symptoms due to the cancer. Today, an increasing number of patients have their cancers treated successfully, with fewer side effects and preservation of normal tissue function, using radiation therapy. Modern technology has combined the use of three-dimensional imaging technology, computerized treatment planning and high-energy x-ray machines to make this possible. Your Primary Care Physician together with other cancer specialists will assess your need to see a Radiation Oncologist for this type of therapy, and if necessary, issue a referral for further diagnosis and treatment.

This field of medical science uses electromagnetic radiation and ultrasonic imagery for the diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease. High Desert Medical Group provides a wide range of radiological services through our medical specialists. Our radiological services offer the latest in technology including comprehensive digital x-rays. Our electronically linked diagnostic imaging systems provide the latest in state-of-the-art technology that is essential for early treatment and management of diseases and injuries. Our Radiology team are highly trained licensed technicians specializing in the innovative field of digital imaging.

Rheumatology is a subspecialty of internal medicine where they diagnose and focus on non-surgical treatment of arthritis and related rheumatic diseases. Rheumatologists can also specialize in pediatric rheumatology -- treating children with rheumatic diseases. Your primary care physician will assess your need for rheumatology services and, if necessary, issue a referral for you to see a rheumatologist.

Speech Pathology is the science concerned with functional and organic speech defects and disorders. Our Board Certified Speech Pathologist has an extensive background in Speech Pathology and offers our patients on-site therapy. Techniques, strategies, and interventions are designed to improve or correct communication. Our Speech Pathologist has twenty-four years of experience with speech and language disorders which involve difficulty in producing the sound of language and difficulty in understanding language, or using words spoken in communication. Because these disorders affect both children and adults, we assure you that your experience with our Speech Pathologist will be one that is caring and professional.

Urology is the medical specialty concerned with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the genitourinary tract, especially the urinary tract in both sexes and the genital organs in the male. We strive to bring our patients the finest urological services in the Antelope Valley. When a urology consultation is necessary, the physician who will care for you is Board Certified and highly experienced in diagnosing a multitude of urology conditions. These conditions may include the treatment of kidney disease, bladder control disorders, sexual dysfunction/impotence, male infertility, testicular, bladder, prostrate, adrenal cancer, chronic urinary tract obstructions and infections.

A well woman examination is an exam offered to women to review elements of their reproductive health. It is recommended once a year for most women. The exam includes a breast examination, a pelvic examination and a pap smear but may also include other procedures.