Pacific Coast Wellness is here to help you live a happier and healthier life. To learn more about us you can find directions to our facility, browse our photo gallery, and check out our staff biographies.
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John C. Chiu, M.D., FRCS (U.S.) - Medical Director
Dr. John C. Chiu is a pioneer in the field of endoscopic spinal surgery. He is the President of California Spine Institute Medical Center and the founding chairman of American Academy of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery and Medicine (AAMISMS). With extensive experience in minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), he is actively involved in MISS clinical research, development and education. He received a D.Sc. degree in surgical research on Tissue Modulation Technology and was appointed a Professor of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery in Neurosurgery, and subsequently as the Provost of the American International University and President, ISMISS/SICOT (International Society of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery) in January 2007.
Dr. Chiu was involved in micro vascular neurosurgery and microspine surgery, before dedicating his practice to the advancement of minimally invasive spinal surgery and endoscopic spine surgery. He has been involved in the development of robotic surgery, telesurgery, OR of the Future, tissue modulation technology including laser thermodiskoplasty, and the use of radiofrequency and bipolar technology. He is an active advocate of redefining the algorhythm for the treatment of degenerative spinal disorders and spinal segmental motion preservation with MISS. He has served as a spinal consultant to eight companies related to MISS products and digital technology. He also served on a spinal advisory committee of one of the largest health care insurance companies, and as a special advisor/consultant to a State Department of Labor and Work Force Development. Recently he conducted the first interactive live Webcast on endoscopic MISS, with nearly 1,000 global participants and viewed by 3,000, and participated in a global tele-video web conference involving 3 continents (UCLA, USA, North America; Bordeaux, France, Europe; Korea, Asia).
Co-editor of the textbook “Practice of Minimally Invasive Spinal Technique” (2000 and 2005 editions) and on the editorial board of the journals “Surgical Technology International” and the “Journal of Minimally Invasive Spine Technique,”Dr. Chiu has authored numerous articles in peer review journal and 45 textbook chapters and other publications on MISS and related topics. He is a recipient of various honors and awards from professional societies, medical universities, and governmental entities, globally and in the US.
Dr. Chiu has lectured and performed spine surgeries throughout the world. He has held visiting professorships at universities worldwide and has served as course director for numerous spine surgery seminars and workshops both in the United States and abroad. He has written or presented over 800 papers (peer reviewed) at national and international scientific conferences, including North American Spine Society, American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, World Spine, World Congress of Neurosurgery, AAMISMS, ISMISS/SICOT and other meetings. He also has demonstrated and performed numerous live endoscopic spine surgeries at major medical centers and university hospitals around the world.Ê His patients have included international VIPÕs, leading medical professionals (neurosurgeons, spine surgeons, and others), top government officials, generals and even a head of state.
He has been invited as a lecturer, visiting professor, chairman of various conferences and keynote speaker on endoscopic MISS in numerous university medical centers, and in numerous conferences in countries including China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Marrakesh, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay and others. Internationally, Dr. Chiu also has served as the honorary President of the Mexican Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Orthopedic and Trauma Society, Co-chairman of the 1st Chinese International Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Congress, MISS China, 2007 and others.
Born in Fukien China, he received his medical degree from Baylor University College of Medicine and Neurosurgical training at the Mayo School of Medicine. Further training and fellowship were undertaken at the State University of New York, University of Zurich and the University of Lund in Sweden. Dr. Chiu is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Has served as an advisor/consultant for American Medical Foundation for Peer Review and Education for major teaching hospitals and medical staff to establish proper peer review and credentialing process.
His outside interests include playing the Chinese classical musical instrument, Guzheng (Zither) and practice of martial arts and its philosophy, as a grand master in kung fu, ninjitsu, and jujitsu. He participated in the International Martial Arts Tournament, St. Petersburg, Russia and is a recipient of the Martial Arts Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame, as well as other awards.
California Center for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery and California Spine Institute Medical Center
1001 Newbury Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
chiu@spinecenter.com
Alan Aragon
Alan Aragon has over 13 years of success in the fitness field. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Science in Nutrition with top honors. Alan is a continuing education provider for the Commission on Dietetic Registration, National Academy of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise, and National Strength & Conditioning Association. He speaks to a broad audience including universities, scientific conferences, and major corporations. Alan recently lectured to practitioners at the FDA and the annual conference of the Los Angeles Dietetic Association. He maintains a thriving private counseling practice, designing programs for recreational and professional athletes. Alan is also known to make some incredible pizzas with his oldest son Lex.
Complete Biography (PDF)
Stuart Hellebrand
Stuart Hellebrand's career as a Hypnotist spans to 1967, when he began teaching self-hypnosis classes at California State University Northridge. Since then, he has conducted demonstrations, lectures, and classes throughout Southern California. He has also taught components of Standards and Training in Corrections Classes, certified by the State of California. He graduated from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, as a Master Hypnotist, in 1982. He is an Honors Graduate of HMI, as a Certified Hypnotherapist.
Stuart's professional background is both extensive and varied. His work experiences include: working in counseling and treatment programs, for thirty two years, through his employment with the Los Angeles County Probation Department; working as a Program Consultant at Pine Grove Hospital; and, working at White Memorial Medical Center, where he is a Senior Clinical Instructor in the hospital's Craniofacial Pain Clinic.
Working in such a highly respected medical center's pain clinic, is a clear indication of his skills as a Hypnotherapist. White Memorial Medical Center is affiliated with Loma Linda University.
Stuart's areas of specialization include, but are not limited to; stress management, self-esteem building, goal oriented self-improvement, fears and phobias, athletic performance enhancement, personal fitness motivation, smoking cessation, medical hypnosis by referral - including pain management, weight loss, etc., and teaching self-hypnosis to all clients as an adjunct to hypnotherapy.
Complete Biography