Douglas Chang

Title(s)	Clinical Professor, Orthopedic Surgery
School	Vc-health Sciences-schools
Address	9500 Gilman Drive # La Jolla CA 92093
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Biography

Education and Training

Yale College, New Haven	BA		Engineering Sciences - Mechanical
Klinik W. Schulthess, Zurich, Switzerland	-		Spine and Sports Medicine

Awards and Honors

San Diego Magazine	2020	Top Doctors Award
International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine	2018	Best Poster Award
HealthTap.com	2017	Top Physical Medicine and Rehab Specialist in California
The Spine Journal and the North American Spine Society	2017	Outstanding Paper Award: Basic Science
UC San Diego School of Medicine	2009	Kaiser Excellence in Teaching Award nominee
U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative	2008	Young Investigator Grant Mentoring Program
UC San Diego School of Medicine	2007	National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine Program
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Resident Physician Council	2004	Western US Residency Program Representative
NIH Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)	2000	Fellowship Award
Advanced Tissue Sciences	1997	Dr. William Walsh Award for Excellence in Bioengineering
UC San Diego School of Medicine	1997	Outstanding Third Year Medical Student

Overview

Douglas Chang, MD, PhD is a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician who specializes in the non-surgical treatment of back/neck pain and other musculoskeletal injuries.

Dr. Chang's passion of athletics, curiosity about movement mechanics, and desire to improve people's quality of life led him to pursue his profession as both a physician and researcher. He says that the most satisfying aspect of his practice is listening to his patients tell him about their activity exploits after treatment and hearing a patient say, "There is life after pain!"

As a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Chang instructs medical students, residents and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine. He participates in research on the effects of prolonged weightlessness on spine pain in NASA astronauts, and yoga on chronic spine pain in veterans.

Dr. Chang completed a fellowship in spine and sports medicine in Zurich, Switzerland with the lead physician of the FIFA World Cup Soccer organization. He completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Stanford University, where he provided medical care for college athletes, including cross-country and distance runners. Dr. Chang earned his medical degree and his doctorate in bioengineering from UC San Diego. At Yale college as an undergraduate he competed as a light-weight rower. He is currently board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and sports medicine.

To stay in shape, Dr. Chang likes to run, stretch with yoga and chase after his two sons.

In The News

	Yoga and Low Back Pain in Vets
	Lumbar Spine Changes on the International Space Station
	Yoga and Low Back Pain Commentary

Featured Videos

Bibliographic

Publications

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.

Altmetrics Details

PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.

Ultrashort echo time MRI detects significantly lower collagen but higher pore water in the tibial cortex of female patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis. J Bone Miner Res. 2024 Apr 09. Jerban S, Ma Y, Wei Z, Shen M, Ibrahim Z, Jang H, Lu P, Chang DG, Woods G, Chung CB, Chang EY, Du J. PMID: 38591788.

View in: PubMed Mentions:
Yoga Plus Mantram Repetition to Reduce Chronic Pain in Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Feasibility Trial. Glob Adv Integr Med Health. 2023 Jan-Dec; 12:27536130231220623. Groessl EJ, Hafey C, McCarthy A, Hernandez RM, Prado-Nava M, Casteel D, McKinnon S, Chang DG, Ayers CR, Rutledge TR, Lang AJ, Bormann JE. PMID: 38152342; PMCID: PMC10752061.

View in: PubMed Mentions:
Comparing Types of Yoga for Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain in Military Personnel: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. Glob Adv Health Med. 2022; 11:2164957X221094596. Groessl EJ, Casteel D, McKinnon S, McCarthy A, Schmalzl L, Chang DG, Fowler IM, Park CL. PMID: 35734420; PMCID: PMC9208032.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 1
Lower Macromolecular Content in Tendons of Female Patients with Osteoporosis versus Patients with Osteopenia Detected by Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) MRI. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022 Apr 24; 12(5). Jerban S, Ma Y, Afsahi AM, Lombardi A, Wei Z, Shen M, Wu M, Le N, Le N, Chang DG, Chung CB, Du J, Chang EY. PMID: 35626217; PMCID: PMC9140093.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 3
Quantitative assessment of articular cartilage degeneration using 3D ultrashort echo time cones adiabatic T1ρ (3D UTE-Cones-AdiabT1ρ) imaging. Eur Radiol. 2022 Sep; 32(9):6178-6186. Wu M, Ma YJ, Liu M, Xue Y, Gong L, Wei Z, Jerban S, Jang H, Chang DG, Chang EY, Ma L, Du J. PMID: 35357540; PMCID: PMC9388581.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 4 Fields:
Rad Radiology
Translation:Humans
Biomechanical changes in the lumbar spine following spaceflight and factors associated with postspaceflight disc herniation. Spine J. 2022 02; 22(2):197-206. Bailey JF, Nyayapati P, Johnson GTA, Dziesinski L, Scheffler AW, Crawford R, Scheuring R, O'Neill CW, Chang D, Hargens AR, Lotz JC. PMID: 34343665.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 9 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans
An Update in Qualitative Imaging of Bone Using Ultrashort Echo Time Magnetic Resonance. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020; 11:555756. Jerban S, Chang DG, Ma Y, Jang H, Chang EY, Du J. PMID: 33117275; PMCID: PMC7551122.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 11 Fields:
End Endocrinology
Translation:Humans
Brain Amygdala Volume Increases in Veterans and Active-Duty Military Personnel With Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2020 Jan/Feb; 35(1):E1-E9. Pieper J, Chang DG, Mahasin SZ, Swan AR, Quinto AA, Nichols SL, Diwakar M, Huang C, Swan J, Lee RR, Baker DG, Huang M. PMID: 31033749; PMCID: PMC6814512.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 3 Fields:
Phy Physical and Rehabilitation Me Tra Traumatology
Translation:Humans
Secondary Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Yoga for Veterans with Chronic Low-Back Pain. Int J Yoga Therap. 2020 Jan 01; 30(1):69-76. Groessl EJ, Liu L, Schmalzl L, Chang DG, McCarthy A, Chun WI, Sinclair C, Bormann JE. PMID: 31509451; PMCID: PMC8966177.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 3 Fields:
Com Complementary Therapies
Translation:Humans
Intraligamentous synovial chondromatosis of the anterior cruciate ligament. Skeletal Radiol. 2020 Apr; 49(4):645-650. Ashir A, Li WX, Shirazian H, Chang DG, Chang EY. PMID: 31760459; PMCID: PMC7024656.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 1 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics Rad Radiology
Translation:Humans
Nonoperative Management of a Severe Proximal Rectus Femoris Musculotendinous Injury in a Recreational Athlete: A Case Report. PM R. 2018 Dec; 10(12):1417-1421. Park CK, Zlomislic V, Du J, Huang BK, Chang EY, Chang DG. PMID: 29775802; PMCID: PMC6309279.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 4 Fields:
Phy Physical and Rehabilitation Me Tra Traumatology
Translation:Humans
Integrated Exposure Therapy and Exercise Reduces Fear of Falling and Avoidance in Older Adults: A Randomized Pilot Study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018 08; 26(8):849-859. Wetherell JL, Bower ES, Johnson K, Chang DG, Ward SR, Petkus AJ. PMID: 29754811; PMCID: PMC6086757.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 9 Fields:
Ger Geriatrics Psy Psychiatry
Translation:Humans
From the international space station to the clinic: how prolonged unloading may disrupt lumbar spine stability. Spine J. 2018 01; 18(1):7-14. Bailey JF, Miller SL, Khieu K, O'Neill CW, Healey RM, Coughlin DG, Sayson JV, Chang DG, Hargens AR, Lotz JC. PMID: 28962911; PMCID: PMC6339989.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 49 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans
Yoga for Military Veterans with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Prev Med. 2017 Nov; 53(5):599-608. Groessl EJ, Liu L, Chang DG, Wetherell JL, Bormann JE, Atkinson JH, Baxi S, Schmalzl L. PMID: 28735778; PMCID: PMC6399016.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 27 Fields:
Pub Public Health
Translation:Humans
Yoga and Low Back Pain: No Fool's Tool. Ann Intern Med. 2017 07 18; 167(2):129-130. Chang DG, Kertesz SG. PMID: 28631002; PMCID: PMC8099157.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 2 Fields:
Int Internal Medicine
Translation:Humans
Lumbar Spine Paraspinal Muscle and Intervertebral Disc Height Changes in Astronauts After Long-Duration Spaceflight on the International Space Station. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 Dec 15; 41(24):1917-1924. Chang DG, Healey RM, Snyder AJ, Sayson JV, Macias BR, Coughlin DG, Bailey JF, Parazynski SE, Lotz JC, Hargens AR. PMID: 27779600; PMCID: PMC5588025.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 40 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans
Poster 180 Rectus Femoris Avulsion of the Direct and Reflected Heads in a Kickball Player: MRI Diagnosis and Nonoperative Outcome. PM R. 2016 Sep; 8(9S):S220. Park CK, Zlomislic V, Chang DG. PMID: 27672945.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 2 Fields:
Phy Physical and Rehabilitation Me Tra Traumatology
Yoga for veterans with chronic low back pain: Design and methods of a randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2016 05; 48:110-8. Groessl EJ, Schmalzl L, Maiya M, Liu L, Goodman D, Chang DG, Wetherell JL, Bormann JE, Atkinson JH, Baxi S. PMID: 27103548.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 11 Fields:
Med Medicine (General)The Therapeutics
Translation:Humans
WISE 2005: Aerobic and resistive countermeasures prevent paraspinal muscle deconditioning during 60-day bed rest in women. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2016 05 15; 120(10):1215-22. Holt JA, Macias BR, Schneider SM, Watenpaugh DE, Lee SM, Chang DG, Hargens AR. PMID: 26893030.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 21 Fields:
Phy Physiology
Translation:Humans
Activity, balance, learning, and exposure (ABLE): a new intervention for fear of falling. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016 07; 31(7):791-8. Wetherell JL, Johnson K, Chang D, Ward SR, Bower ES, Merz C, Petkus AJ. PMID: 26729564; PMCID: PMC6339991.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 11 Fields:
Ger Geriatrics Psy Psychiatry
Translation:Humans
Yoga as a treatment for chronic low back pain: A systematic review of the literature. J Orthop Rheumatol. 2016 Jan 01; 3(1):1-8. Chang DG, Holt JA, Sklar M, Groessl EJ. PMID: 27231715; PMCID: PMC4878447.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 24
Anatomic Evaluation of the Sacroiliac Joint: A Radiographic Study with Implications for Procedures. Pain Physician. 2015 Nov; 18(6):583-92. Rana SH, Farjoodi P, Haloman S, Dutton P, Hariri A, Ward SR, Garfin SR, Chang DG. PMID: 26606010.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 5 Fields:
Neu Neurology Psy Psychophysiology
Translation:Humans
Return to Learn: A review of cognitive rest versus rehabilitation after sports concussion. NeuroRehabilitation. 2015; 37(2):235-44. Eastman A, Chang DG. PMID: 26484515; PMCID: PMC7039315.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 2 Fields:
Neu Neurology Phy Physical and Rehabilitation Me
Translation:Humans
Single-subject-based whole-brain MEG slow-wave imaging approach for detecting abnormality in patients with mild traumatic brain injury. Neuroimage Clin. 2014; 5:109-19. Huang MX, Nichols S, Baker DG, Robb A, Angeles A, Yurgil KA, Drake A, Levy M, Song T, McLay R, Theilmann RJ, Diwakar M, Risbrough VB, Ji Z, Huang CW, Chang DG, Harrington DL, Muzzatti L, Canive JM, Christopher Edgar J, Chen YH, Lee RR. PMID: 25009772; PMCID: PMC4087185.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 32 Fields:
Dia Diagnostic Imaging Neu Neurology
Translation:Humans
Three decades of citation classics: the most cited articles in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. PM R. 2014 Sep; 6(9):828-40. Powell AJ, Conlee EM, Chang DG. PMID: 25091931; PMCID: PMC6415682.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 2 Fields:
Phy Physical and Rehabilitation Me Tra Traumatology
Translation:Humans
Body posture and backpack loading: an upright magnetic resonance imaging study of the adult lumbar spine. Eur Spine J. 2014 Jul; 23(7):1407-13. Shymon S, Hargens AR, Minkoff LA, Chang DG. PMID: 24619606; PMCID: PMC6339990.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 6 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans
Natural resolution of a herniated lumbar disc. BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Sep 30; 2013. Chang DG, Shymon S, Powell AJ. PMID: 24081598; PMCID: PMC3794266.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 1 Fields:
Med Medicine (General)
Translation:Humans
Anterior-posterior transcranial ultrasound to measure cranial oscillations. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2013 Sep; 84(9):995-1000. Liu JH, Lynch JE, Rosales-Velderrain A, Chang DG, Weinreb RN, Hargens AR. PMID: 24024314; PMCID: PMC6342011.

View in: PubMed Mentions: Fields:
Aer Aerospace Medicine Env Environmental Health
Translation:Humans
Older age increases short-term surgical complications after primary knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013 Aug; 471(8):2611-20. Easterlin MC, Chang DG, Talamini M, Chang DC. PMID: 23613088; PMCID: PMC3705042.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 27 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans
The Ilizarov method of external fixation: current intraoperative concepts. AORN J. 2010 Mar; 91(3):326-37; quiz 338-40. Lee DK, Duong ET, Chang DG. PMID: 20193798.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 2 Fields:
Nur Nursing
Translation:Humans
Denervation hypertrophy in lumbosacral radiculopathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2008 Oct; 79(10):1170. Chang DG, Magee E, Hughes T. PMID: 18796595; PMCID: PMC6417413.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 2 Fields:
Neu Neurology Neu Neurosurgery Psy Psychiatry
Translation:Humans
Brainstem auditory-evoked potentials as an objective tool for evaluating hearing dysfunction in traumatic brain injury. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Mar; 83(3):210-5. Lew HL, Lee EH, Miyoshi Y, Chang DG, Date ES, Jerger JF. PMID: 15043356; PMCID: PMC8294093.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 2 Fields:
Phy Physical and Rehabilitation Me
Translation:Humans
The effects of hyaluronan on tissue healing after meniscus injury and repair in a rabbit model. Am J Sports Med. 2000 Jan-Feb; 28(1):90-7. Sonoda M, Harwood FL, Amiel ME, Moriya H, Temple M, Chang DG, Lottman LM, Sah RL, Amiel D. PMID: 10653550; PMCID: PMC6481663.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 11 Fields:
Spo Sports Medicine
Translation:Animals
Quantitation and localization of cartilage degeneration following the induction of osteoarthritis in the rabbit knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1997 Sep; 5(5):357-72. Chang DG, Iverson EP, Schinagl RM, Sonoda M, Amiel D, Coutts RD, Sah RL. PMID: 9497942.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 26 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics Rhe Rheumatology
Translation:Animals
Geometric changes in the cervical spinal canal during impact. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1994 Apr 15; 19(8):973-80. Chang DG, Tencer AF, Ching RP, Treece B, Senft D, Anderson PA. PMID: 8009357; PMCID: PMC7989042.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 6 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans
An analysis of errors in kinematic parameters associated with in vivo functional radiographs. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1992 Feb; 17(2):200-5. Panjabi M, Chang D, Dvorák J. PMID: 1553591; PMCID: PMC6397132.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 17 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans
Clinical validation of functional flexion-extension roentgenograms of the lumbar spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1991 Aug; 16(8):943-50. Dvorák J, Panjabi MM, Novotny JE, Chang DG, Grob D. PMID: 1835156; PMCID: PMC7999614.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 31 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans
Functional radiographic diagnosis of the lumbar spine. Flexion-extension and lateral bending. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1991 May; 16(5):562-71. Dvorák J, Panjabi MM, Chang DG, Theiler R, Grob D. PMID: 2052999; PMCID: PMC8009657.

View in: PubMed Mentions: 67 Fields:
Ort Orthopedics
Translation:Humans