About Dr. Fonda

Dr Fonda grew up in the Chicago suburbs and studied medical technology and biochemistry at Eastern Illinois University. He obtained his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the National University of Health Sciences in 1994. He then completed a 3-year residency in Clinical Orthopedics, and completed several hundred hours of postgraduate education in advanced manual medicine and functional rehabilitation methods.  On numerous occasions, he traveled within the U.S. and Europe to train directly with some of the founding fathers of manual medicine: Karel Lewit, MD and the late Vladimir Janda, MD.  It was in England in 1998 that he was introduced to Dr Pavel Kolar and began studying the Prague School methods of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization.  Additionally, he is trained and certified in Kinesiotaping and RockTape Functional Movement Taping methods and Graston Technique, and FMS (Functional Movement Systems) Level 1 and Level 2.  He holds certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Corrective Exercise Specialist and is a Certified Golf Fitness Instructor through the Titleist Performance Institute.  

In 2000, Dr Fonda relocated to Southern California, becoming residency director for the clinical sciences at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. This position incorporated clinical practice as well as mentoring residents. In 2004, he was invited to return to Chicago and join the consulting medical staff at the renowned Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where he practiced in both the hospital and dedicated Spine & Sports Rehabilitation centers until late 2009.

Dr Fonda maintains a very active involvement in sports medicine. Since 2007, he has provided care to PGA Tour and Champions Tour players as part of the PGA Tour’s Medical Staff.  In his career, he has worked with numerous amateur and professional athletes from multiple disciplines, including the NHL, NBA, Olympics, MLS, AVP and PGA Tour.  In 2007 he was selected to provide care at the semi-finals and finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup (international soccer, USA vs Mexico).  

Dr Fonda is a frequent lecturer across the United States and has lectured several times in Australia on orthopedics, sports medicine, and functional rehabilitation.   Additionally, he has co-authored chapters in Dr. Craig Liebenson’s well-known textbook Rehabilitation of the Spine, and has contributed to feature articles in the Chicago Tribune and Yahoo Shine!