About Dr. Jacob

Gary A. Jacob is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Licensed Acupuncturist with a Master of Public Health and a Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (DipMDT). For nearly 50 years he has cared for patients with neck, back, and extremity pain.

Education

  • 2003
    MPH: Master of Public Health Community Health Education and Promotion: UCLA
  • 1991
    DipMDT: Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy McKenzie Institute Int'l; Wellington, NZ
  • 1983
    DOM: Doctor of Oriental Medicine California Acupuncture College, Westwood, California
  • 1981
    Certificate of Graduation California Acupuncture College; Westwood, California
  • 1978
    DC: Doctor of Chiropractic Los Angeles College of Chiropractic; Glendale, California
  • 1974
    B.A.: Philosophy of Science State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton

Licenses

  • 1994
    Chiropractic, Hawaii License #661 inactive
  • 1981
    LAc: Acupuncture California License #AC1288
  • 1979
    Chiropractic, California License #12432
  • 1979
    Chiropractic, New York License #X2269 inactive

Certifications/Appointments

  • 2025
    Qualified Medical Evaluator No. 208077 State of California; Department of Industrial Relations
  • 2019
    MAP: Motivation Action Planning
  • 2018
    Primary Spine Practitioner Certification University of Pittsburgh
  • 2011
    Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP) Training
  • 2002
    Certificate of Completion: Protecting Human Research Subjects in Social and Behavioral Research UCLA
  • 1997
    Certification: MedX Cervical and MedX Lumbar Spine
  • 1991
    Certified Chiropractic Rehab Doctor Chiropractic Rehabilitation Association
  • 1991
    Diplomate in Acupuncture Orthopedics National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics
  • 1990
    Authorization for Service as an Instructor/Administrator in Private Postsecondary Educational Institution California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Certificate #83101

Research

  • 2018-Present
    Research Adjunct; Topic Expert, Abstractor Rand Corporation, Santa Monica; Chiropractic & Chronic Pain Study

Guidelines Delphi Panelist

  • 2026
    in press: “Chiropractic Management Of Older Adult Patients With Musculoskeletal Pain: A Clinical practice Guideline”
  • 2024
    “Chiropractic Management of Cervicogenic and Tension-Type Headaches in Adults: A Clinical practice Guideline;” View Recommendation Statement
  • 2023
    “Best Practices for Chiropractic Management of Adult Patients With Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline for Chiropractors in the United States;” Whalen, et al, JMPT, October 2022
  • 2021
    “Role of Chiropractic in Health Promotion and Prevention for Adults with Musculoskeletal Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline;” Hawk, et al The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, July 2021

Publications

  • 2027
    in press: Diagnostic Question #2. Pain Generators. Chapter in: Murphy DR, Jacob GA. Clinical Reasoning in Spine Pain Volume I: Primary Management of Low Back Disorders With the CRISP® Principles. Elsevier, 2027
  • 2027
    in press: Diagnostic Question #2. Pain Generators. Chapter in: Murphy DR, Jacob GA. Clinical Reasoning in Spine Pain Volume II: Primary Management of Cervical Disorders With the CRISP® Principles. Elsevier, 2027
  • 2021
    coauthor: Back Pain: Chiropractor’s View. In: Cheng, B.C. (eds) Handbook of Spine Technology. Springer, Cham.
  • 2019
    coauthor: Researching the Appropriateness of Care in the Complementary and Integrative Health Professions: Using Patient Records J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2019 Jun;42(5):327-334
  • 2016
    “The End Range Loading Examination to Identify Disc Derangement” Chapter in: Murphy DR. Clinical Reasoning in Spine Pain Volume II: Primary Management of Cervical Disorders Using the CRISP Protocols.
  • 2013
    “The End Range Loading Examination to Identify Disc Derangement” Chapter in: Murphy DR. Clinical Reasoning in Spine Pain Volume I: Primary Management of Low Back Disorders Using the CRISP Protocols.
  • 2008
    “A Guide to Acupuncture Guidelines” Occ Med Clinical Care Update; 2008 Vol. 15, No. 9
  • 2007
    “The Song the Subluxation Sings” Intl Journal of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy; 2007 Vol. 2, No. 3
  • 2007
    "McKenzie Spinal Rehab" Chapter: Rehabilitation of the Spine, 2nd ed, Liebenson, ed, Williams & Wilkins
  • 2006
    coauthor, "McKenzie Treatment Protocols for Low Back Syndromes" Chapter in Conservative Mgmt. of Low Back Syndromes, Morris, ed., McGraw Hill
  • 2003
    “Biopsychosocial perspective on low back pain: patient provider communication” Journal of Minimally Invasive Spinal Technique, Spring 2003, Volume 3, Number 1
  • 2001
    Spine Line; Clinical Corner column McKenzie Institute U.S.A.
  • 2000
    Patient Management and Leadership Decision Making re Spinal Problems McKenzie Journal, vol. 8, #1
  • 1999
    coauthor: "Spinal Disorders: Tools to Address Diagnostic and Treatment Problems; Consultant" July 1999
  • 1999
    coauthor: "Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy: McKenzie Approach to Spinal Complaints; Consultant" July 1999
  • 1999
    "Evaluating the Patient Using the McKenzie Approach" Chapter in Spinal Rehabilitation, David Stude, ed., Appleton and Lange, Stamford Conn., 1999
  • 1997
    "Myths and Facts About the Spine" The City of Santa Monica Risk Reporter, Fall/Winter 1997
  • 1997
    "Rehabilitating Chiropractic" Rehab Management, V 10, Number 6
  • 1997
    "Chiropractic Contains the Secrets of Rehabilitation" Today's Chiropractic, V 26, Number 4
  • 1996
    "Spinal Therapeutics Based on Responses to Loading" in Rehab of the Spine, Liebenson, ed., Williams & Wilkins
  • 1994
    Activity Training Bar Booklet O.P.T.P., Minneapolis, MN
  • 1992
    "The Demands of Rehabilitation" Today's Chiropractic, Vol. 21, No. 3
  • 1992
    "Chiropractics-Get the Monkey Off Your Back" Public Risk, Vol. 6, No. 5, May/June 1992
  • 1991
    "McKenzie & the Demands of Rehab" Calif. Chiropractic Association Journal, V 16, No. 10, October 1991
  • 1991
    "New Meanings for TTD" Rehab News, October
  • 1991
    "10 Ways to Keep an Injured Worker from Recovering" Rehab News, October
  • 1991
    "Providing Rehabilitation Services in an Ethical Manner" Rehab News, July
  • 1991
    "The McKenzie Protocol and the Demands of Rehabilitation" Rehab News, April
  • 1991
    "Interview with Robin McKenzie" California Chiropractic Association Journal, Vol. 16, No. 7, July
  • 1991
    "Work Conditioning Guidelines" Rehabilitation Guidelines, CRA, page 33.
  • 1989-90
    "Application of Movement and Positioning Technique to the Lumbar Spine" Today's Chiropractic, V 18-19

Current Faculty Positions

  • 2016-present
    Clinical Professor Southern California University of Health Sciences

Past Faculty Positions

  • 1990-2025
    Doctoral Program Faculty Emperor's College of Oriental Medicine, Santa Monica, California
  • 1991-2016
    Faculty McKenzie Institute International, Wellington, New Zealand
  • 2013-2015
    Doctoral Program Faculty Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • 2006-2010
    Post-graduate Division Faculty National University of Health Sciences
  • 1996-2009
    Postgraduate Division Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College; Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • 1996-2006
    Postgraduate Division Texas Chiropractic College; Pasadena, Texas
  • 1998-2004
    Postgraduate Division Western States Chiropractic College; Portland, Oregon
  • 1994-2002
    Postgraduate Division Northwestern College of Chiropractic; Bloomington, Minnesota
  • 1998-2001
    Volunteer Community Faculty; Complementary Medicine SM-UCLA Family Practice Residency Program
  • 1998-2001
    Supervising Doctor Southern California University of Health Sciences, Clinical Internship Division
  • 1992-2000
    Postgraduate Division New York College of Chiropractic, Seneca, New York

Past Advisory/Administrative Positions

  • 2007-2016
    Editorial BoardThe Chiropractic Report
  • 2007-2008
    Medical Quality Improvement CommitteeTriad Healthcare
  • 2005
    Medical Disability Advisor; Fifth Edition; Medical Advisory Board: Reviewer
  • 2004-2011
    Chiropractic & Acupuncture Health Care ConsultantState Comp Insurance Fund
  • 2002-2007
    Medical Advisory BoardMitchell Medical
  • 2001
    Contributing EditorJournal of Minimally Invasive Spinal Technique
  • 2001
    Medical Disability Advisor Fourth Edition; Medical Advisory Board: Reviewer
  • 1998-2000
    Board of DirectorsAssociation of Forensic and Industrial Chiropractic Consultants
  • 1996-97
    Quality Review PanelCalifornia State Board of Chiropractic Examiners
  • 1994-97
    Examination CommissionerCalifornia Board of Chiropractic Examiners
  • 1994-96
    Examiner McKenzie Credentialing Exams (Written & Practical)McKenzie Institute International
  • 1994-95
    Examiner, California State Board (Chiropractic Examiner, Physical Therapy & Adjusting Technique)
  • 1994
    President's Advisory CommitteeLos Angeles College of Chiropractic
  • 1992-93
    Ethics Committee, Region 6California Chiropractic Association
  • 1990-1996
    Editorial BoardIsokinetic Science and Exercise, Butterworth's
  • 1989-93
    California Clinical Board Member & Instructional Board MemberChiropractic Rehabilitation Association
  • 1989-90
    Chair, Dept of Physical MedicineEmperor's College Traditional Oriental Medicine, Santa Monica, Ca
  • 1984; 86
    Examiner, Acupuncture Examining CommitteeState of California Board of Medical Quality Assurance
  • 1981-83
    Chair, Curriculum CommitteeCalifornia Acupuncture College, Westwood, California
  • 1980-83
    Academic DeanCalifornia Acupuncture College, Westwood, California

Membership Professional Organizations

  • Cal Chiro; Member
  • Delta Omega Iota Chapter, Honorary Public Health Society; Elected Enrollee
  • Southern California University of Health Sciences; Alumni Association, Lifetime Member
  • UCLA School of Public Health Alumni Association, Lifetime Member

Integrative care, grounded in measurement.