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Veronica Jow
Founder and Physician at Avid Sports Medicine
Veronica Jow is the founder and primary physician of Avid, a Sports Medicine and Wellness clinic located in the Bay Area. Avid serves as a one-stop shop providing services for individual recovery and employee wellness. The clinic boasts a multi-specialty team comprising sports medicine, chiropractic, athletic training, physical therapy, and sports massage. Veronica's mission revolves around empowering individuals through knowledge and body awareness. She studied Biological Anthropology at Harvard University for her AB degree and pursued her MD in Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Veronica has held various significant positions at esteemed organizations such as the University of California, Santa Cruz, University of California, San Francisco, UC Berkeley, Motion, One Medical Group, Lumetra Healthcare Solutions, Kaiser Permanente, University of Connecticut Health Center, Weil Cornell Medical Center, and Akamai Technologies.
Highlights
Party Like It's 1999!
Last weekend I attended my 25th Harvard College reunion. At first I struggled to write that number and admit it to myself. But as I reconnected with former classmates, I was reminded that age is just a number. There may have been more gray hairs, but the room was filled with youthful energy combined with self-assurance and passion for life. Our conversations were honest about life's challenges, but also filled with a sense of vitality and positivity. I returned with a renewed commitment to being a physician that leads patients to simultaneously celebrate and defy age through medicine.
At Avid Sports Medicine, we transform aging into an uplifting and empowering journey towards longevity. How? We combine the ultimate dynamic duo: Regenerative medicine and Movement. It's like a futuristic buddy cop movie. Regenerative Medicine is the cool, calculated detective and Movement is the energetic, lively sidekick.
On Team Regenerative Medicine: Shockwave Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma, and Stem Cells. We use these to harness the body's own natural ability to repair, regenerate, and heal damaged tissues.
On Team Movement: Physical Therapy, Athletic Training and Fitness. These use dynamic energy, flexibility, and strength-building exercises to build tissue that support a long, active life. Together, they ensure our bodies stay mobile, energetic, and ready to take on whatever life throws our way.
So, this summer, I invite you to recommit to your body and defy age. Find a team to guide you towards a life of health, vitality, and boundless possibilities.
A recent NYT article reported "Exercise offers short-term boosts in cognition. Studies show that immediately after a bout of physical activity, people perform better on tests or working memory and other executive functions." This is thought to be in part due to the release of neurotransmitters like epinephrine and norephinephrine. Some research has found that "a person’s cognition tends to improve after participating in a new aerobic exercise program for several months." Plus exercise increases blood flow and the growth of new blood vessels to improve mental health and protect against dementia. It's the best drug available!
My journey through fitness and academia has been a fascinating voyage of self-discovery. It all began in high school when I got hooked on aerobics after a PE unit. Despite being involved in sports, there was something uniquely meditative and joyful about attending fitness classes. I fondly recall waking up early to jump around in front of my TV with Gilad, a fitness relic from the past.
In college, I stumbled upon step aerobics, and the rush of endorphins was like nothing else. I'd eagerly hop on the train to the 24 Hour Fitness at Porter Square, double stepping with the best of them. It was liberating to leave behind the confines of campus and immerse myself in a diverse community of individuals, all sweating to the same beat.
During medical school, spin classes became my sanctuary. Every Saturday morning, I'd push myself through an intense two-hour cycling session. The spin instructor with his uplifting encouragement held up pictures of his golden retriever and told us to be "Happy dogs at play!" Every class felt like a celebration of life. I also found yoga during this time and cried many a day on my mat during Savasana, the final resting pose. These classes became my refuge from the stresses of endless studying and training.
Residency brought new challenges, from running my first half marathon to learning how to swim. And as I navigated pregnancy and new motherhood, dance became my form of expression and release. Even joining a tech start-up didn't deter my commitment to fitness, as I embraced a never-too-late basketball class.
For me, movement is more than just physical exercise—it's a lifeline. Building a medical clinic with fitness was a pipe dream I thought wasn't practical or possible. But now I can't imagine practicing any other way. Exercise is Medicine. Exercise is Life.
Avid Sports Medicine
