OC Riptide Medical Team
Orange County Riptide players are finely tuned athletes that require a top-level medical team to support them. That is why the Orange County Riptide Baseball Club has assembled a team of certified trainers and medical experts to keep the players performing at their peak.
Malia Holmes ATC – Head Athletic Trainer
Malia Holmes is the Orange county Riptide Head Athletic Trainer. Malia graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training. She began working as the Head Athletic Trainer at Villa Park High School in the Fall of 1991. Malia continued as the Certified Athletic Trainer until her resignation in 2013. As the Athletic Trainer for Villa Park High School, Malia worked with all 28 teams at the high school. In addition to working at Villa Park High School in her many years as an athletic trainer, she also worked with many U.S. National Women’s Soccer players and the Elite Youth Basketball League for several seasons. Malia continued to further her education receiving her Master of Science in Coaching and Exercise Science from Concordia University in Irvine, Calif. Currently, she teaches Biology and Marine Biology at Villa Park High School in the City of Villa Park, Calif.
Dr. Sean Milam is the Orange County Riptide team Chiropracter. With Degrees from Chapman University and Palmer Chiropractic College, Dr. Milam has helped thousands of Orange County patients over the past 20+ years. Over the years, he has the privilege to be on the associate faculty of Southern California University of Health Sciences, Western States Chiropractic College and Concordia University. Voted as Orange County’s Best Chiropractor multiple times and America’s top Chiropractor, Dr. Milam has worked with amateur, college teams and professional athletes. In addition to team Chiropracter duties with the Orange County Riptide, Dr. Milam has offered chiropractic care to the cyclists of Ellsworth mountain bike team and Team BMC road race team. In addition to working with top-level athletes, he is an on-set chiropractor for Film and TV studios. Dr. Milam incorporates the latest in active therapeutic exercises and sports rehabilitation into his treatment protocols. Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Sean Milam is an Ambassador for Specialized Bicycles mountain bike team and is a road cyclist. He is married to his high school sweetheart Jennifer and has two daughters. Patients seeking the same type of chiropractic care offered to the OC Riptide players may learn more about his practice by visiting GotSpine.net or by calling his Tustin,
Calif. offices at (714) 731-9355. For an even faster response, TEXT a request directly to Dr. Milam at (714) 886-9355. Connect with Dr. Milam on Twitter: @milamchiro
Dr. Sean Milam D.C. – Team Chiropracter
Karina Paonessa PT DPT – Team Physical Therapist
Dr. Karina Paonessa, PT, DPT joins the OC Riptide as the team’s local physical therapist. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a minor in Spanish. She then received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from West Coast University in Los Angeles in 2020. She currently works at an outpatient orthopedic sports therapy clinic in Costa Mesa, Calif. Her focus when working with OC Riptide student-athletes will be in sports therapy rehab. Her interest in physical activity and movement started at a young age leading to participating in cross country, soccer, and track in high school. At UCSB, she joined the triathlon club team and has completed six half marathons. She now fills her free time actively lifting weights, exploring hiking trails, dancing and roller skating by the beach. Karina believes that movement is medicine and that everyone has the potential to heal themselves from the inside out. Her goal is to provide OC Riptide players the tools including manual therapy and therapeutic exercises they need in order to help them reach their rehab and athletic goals. She does this through education and motivation while fostering a fun and healing environment. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Karina Paonessa, call: 949-645-4086. You can find Karina on Instagram @dr.kettlebell_karina