Meet Our Hillsborough Chiropractic Team

Dr. Paul Aaron, DC, Chiropractic Physician

It was 1966. Careening off the road, the bus ran through a field right towards my car and me. I had no warning—never heard it coming.

In 1971, still in pain despite many trips to rehabilitation centers and MDs, I finally heard about doctors of chiropractic (DCs). The doctor said, "What that bus did was to twist your whole body to the left. I need to restore you back to standing straight again." And chiropractic did.

By 1978, I was married. Should I return to school? Years ago I had been a student at Duke University Medical College. Now, of course, it was to be Logan College of Chiropractic. This did not change my respect for modern medicine but it was chiropractic that changed my life.

One of my great surprises at chiropractic college was...

That classes were identical to those at medical college. Of course rather than learning how to feed our patients pharmaceuticals, chiropractic students quickly learn how to work with the bio-mechanics of the body in a natural way. After the first two years of chemistry, physiology, anatomy, embryology and so forth, our classes in chiropractic adjusting began. The first time that I was able to put my precise and superb training to use was in the classroom setting where we were to gently and accurately place our hands on a class partner. I realized at that moment that I had been created to do this immensely important work. I had never felt so naturally comfortable at anything I had ever done before. As the intense years of training went on, my supervised work in the clinic brought satisfaction. But there's another story I must also tell.

Chiropractic Care Can Help

In 1981, my one-year old son was injured. He survived the injury but his eyes became dim, and at that age of furious growth, he was actually losing weight. It wasn't until three months later we met Dr. Reiss, a DC and a craniopath. “What is a craniopath,” you ask? After taking a careful history and doing a proper examination, Dr. Reiss spoke with us at some length and explained that our son’s head (his cranium) had been hit pretty hard. Now understand that the bones of the head are not like a solid rock. They have a tiny but important movement even under normal circumstances. Dr. Reiss placed his hands very gently on the boy. Dr. Reiss didn't do anything. He waited for that natural, little movement which he then controlled. Our son returned to normal on the spot. His eyes lit up like normally excited eyes. By three months later, he had gained enough weight to be at the normal weight for a child his age and height.

I dedicated my remaining years of training to studying craniopathy and its base of SacroOccipital Technique with this doctor and his mentor, Dr. Bertrand DeJarnette, DC, who became my mentor as well. Along the way I was also offered the opportunity to become certified in acupuncture and CranioSacral Therapy, which I felt could only enhance the benefits that I could extend to my patients.

My Chiropractic Philosophy

Nowadays my practice is dedicated to bringing all my knowledge to bear in moving my community and its individuals into the best of health. We do this through extensive consultations and examinations in order to allow the patient time to collaborate with us and find the direction where we need to move together to accomplish this purpose. As a result of this, I find that the age or health condition of the patient is not an issue. Everyone has the opportunity to achieve great health. The role of the chiropractor is to remove obstacles, so that the patient can do the healing. All humans have the ability to heal—to dissolve obstacles—to restore wellness.

I do my best to continue learning—to work with zeal, hoping to bring about my and my patient’s collaborative end goal. Sometimes I just stop and sit for a moment to feel my sense of gratefulness. I am blessed to have found this place in my life.

Serving patients in Hillsborough, I have been here since 1994 with my children and previous wife, Saura Bartner, who died in 2003. I then retired to write, and to work with the community in other healing ways. It was hard to imagine my loving again, but years later, was beautifully guided to meet Liz after being convinced by my friends to go to a contra dance. Now married to Liz Gilson Aaron, our love outside the Health Center is to continue the building of our passive solar “1909 Mill House” right up in Hillsborough surrounded by organic vegetable, fruit and flower gardens, chickens and guineas.

How often do I receive chiropractic care?

Remember I was hit by a bus! From 1966-1971 there was little or no help—hours and hours of treatment still leaving me in pain. Now I have five minutes of chiropractic on the average once a week—and I am well. Being essentially out of pain, I wouldn’t care if I were treated every day. It is worth it to be out of pain most every day and give thanks. I can do heavy gardening, strenuous workouts, housework, plumbing and carpentry.

Part of chiropractic is food—good food. The Health Center teaches preparation of health-giving foods. Join us for a free meal—our children do—our children love chiropractic in all its forms, utilizing natural approaches to health, pain relief and wellness.

Thanks for visiting our site. I look forward to meeting you in person and learning how we may be of service to you. Give our office a call, or email me using the link below and let’s arrange a time to explore your options. Connect to me on LinkedIn. 

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Liz Gilson Aaron, Executive Director

Liz Gilson Aaron is the Executive Director for the Health Center of Hillsborough, a wellness center that offers chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, nutritional counseling, massage therapy and health educational services.

Liz is dedicated to finding natural therapies to help people heal when traditional or conventional medical treatments have not relieved their symptoms. She has spent over 20 years as a trainer, speaker and educator in industry and academia. Through the Health Center, she promotes wellness using a holistic approach that addresses mind, body and spirit. Liz has two masters degrees in addition to having done graduate work at UNC. As an enthusiastic wellness advocate, she thrives on working directly with patients, as well as community outreach. 

Liz has had a life-long love affair with water and water-sports. She is an experienced sailor and has been sailing for 3 decades. In her 20s she built her own boat and lived on it. She taught wind-surfing and sailing during the 1980s and took up rowing to celebrate her 50^th birthday.

At home, Liz can be found spending time with her husband in their organic garden where they grow fruits and vegetables. They also raise chickens and guinea hens. Bringing the produce into the kitchen, Liz loves to experiment to create new gluten-free recipes which she incorporates into her workshops.

As dedicated to maintaining her own well-being as she is to her clients' health, she balances her professional life with personal quiet time, family gatherings with friends and embracing the great outdoors. 

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Veronica Verhoff, MPH, RD, LDN, Nutritionist

“The natural force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.” - Hippocrates

I have always known that I was being called to help others. It wasn’t until my early 20s that I started learning about nutrition and how essential it is to eat foods that nourish us, both to prevent disease and to treat it. I also knew inherently that there was something to be said about respecting both the environment and our bodies by eating the way humans evolved to eat without the use of synthetic chemicals or inhumane animal practices. It was when I discovered how much eating in this way could radically improve one’s health that I knew I wanted to develop the expertise to guide others towards optimal health through holistic nutrition.

I received a Master’s in Public Health, with a focus on Nutrition, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My favorite subject was nutritional biochemistry, which I later taught. While my education was very important, the improvements that I was able to make in my own health, after changing my diet, has been the most influential for me in choosing my career path. I feel that I can be a positive mentor and educator for others having had those experiences along with the education I received.

I am a realist and I understand that we all live in the real world and face many challenges when it comes to living a healthy life. I seek to help people make positive changes in their lives in a way that works for them. Eating well isn’t about deprivation, tasteless food or long hours of cooking. It does, however, require some effort upfront to establish healthy patterns and habits. I am a resource for information and support for you. It’s never too late to improve your health status and quality of life.

My partner and I are both busy raising our 8-month old son, but we do take time out to be active within the community and enjoy the outdoors. Life changes so much when a child enters your life. It is truly a magical experience! While taking time out for myself is difficult, with the support of family and friends, I am able to achieve some balance. I like reading, walking many of the trails in the community and attending professional nutrition conferences that help me better serve you.

A Healthy Lifestyle

It’s very important that I live by example and practice what I preach. I strive to be a model by which others can learn, but I also learn from my clients. Eating a healthy diet means putting in the extra effort to source foods that are going to nourish me on a physical and spiritual level. Eating meat from an animal that was mistreated and over-medicated will not lead me towards optimal health. I do my best to buy from local farmers at farmers’ markets, buy organic as much as possible and take the time to prepare most of my own food. This played an integral role in my recent pregnancy. Not only did I have a quick and healthy delivery (just 4hrs and it was my first pregnancy!), but my 8-month old is happy, healthy and an early developer as well. I wish that everyone could enjoy the benefits of living a healthy and vital life.

I would be honored to work with you to help you achieve any or all of your health goals. True health cannot be achieved without first examining the building blocks upon which our bodies are constructed – our food. Each of us is unique and may not benefit from the same diet. Working with a professional such as myself ensures that you are doing what is best for YOU.

Click here to see what some of my clients say.

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Stephen C. Helton, Physical Therapist

Stephen C. Helton, PT has had a life-long interest in the interplay of body, mind and spirit. He was introduced to yoga and meditation while studying Biology at Wake Forest University in the 1970’s. Study at Duke University deepened his understanding of how humans and the environment impact each other.

During his time working as a landscape gardener, he discovered the appeal of Physical Therapy as a profession which would allow him to integrate these varied avenues. Caring for his mother during her long illness had helped him to develop a deeper base of patience and compassion as a foundation for his next career.

Stephen received his initial Physical Therapy training at East Carolina University, graduating in 1988. His continuing education experiences have focused into Manual therapy techniques including Maitland and Osteopathic approaches. After practice in hospital, outpatient clinics, and physician offices he felt led to launch into solo practice in 1996. Stephen distinguishes his practice from others’ in offering 1 hour sessions of individualized, focused, hands-on treatment in a quiet environment that enhances real healing.

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Renee A. Price, Office Manager

In 1971, the late Marvin Gaye sang, “What’s Going On?” That song was part of an era, when a new generation of young adults analyzed the prejudice and chaos of the world, and proceeded to break down social barriers, protested a war, called for economic equity and demanded civil and human rights. That was my era, and like my friends and colleagues, I wanted to work toward peace, harmony, beauty and justice…a breath of fresh air.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University, then a Master of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University, and set off to explore life. After years of this exploration, I found my home in the Hillsborough community in the heart of Orange County, and now I am delighted to be at the Health Center of Hillsborough.

Personal values and lifestyle guided me to Dr. Paul Aaron, DC. Believing in holistic and natural approaches to health and well-being, I knew that Dr. Aaron would be able to relieve my excruciating back pain, diminish the headaches and correct my posture. Almost instantaneously, his chiropractic treatments and acupuncture made me feel taller, stronger and healthier. What impressed me more was the sincerity of his caring attitude. Dr. Aaron wants people to experience wellness.

As Office Manager, my role is to assist the Health Center of Hillsborough with its membership in the non-profit Foundation for Wellness Professionals in becoming a regional source for healing and well-being. I am working with an inspiring team of conscientious individuals, and together our primary mission is to help adults and children of all ages realize and experience vitality, well-being and peace of mind…naturally. I now am working throughout our community to build interest and relationships so that the Health Center of Hillsborough continues to develop into a dynamic focal point for people seeking wellness through chiropractic care, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy and nutrition.

Along my journey, I worked with a community in reclaiming and revitalizing their inner-city neighborhood, assisted in administering an affordable housing trust fund for low-wealth households, and worked in environmental protection to mitigate the adverse impacts of developments on the people of NYC. My focus was quality of life.

The path shifted a little and I became involved in rural life issues, the organics movement and sustainable agriculture. I learned about the importance of organic agriculture while working on legislation for the NYS Assembly. My interest in sustainable farming expanded after relocating to North Carolina as I heard numerous personal testimonies on the debilitating effects of synthetic pesticides used in homes, gardens, schools, farms and workplaces. Several years later, as director of a sustainable forestry project, I gained a heightened appreciation for the delicate balance of the ecosystem of which humans are a part. Sustainable living has become my goal, and this is well manifested in my position with a health center whose stated purpose is to help the community make Hillsborough the health center of North Carolina.

Please contact me at 919-241-5032, or visit our offices at 241 South Nash Street in the historic mill area of Hillsborough, known as Hillsborough Station. When you, family members, colleagues at work or friends are ready, the wellness professionals and staff of the Health Center of Hillsborough are here to help you make the difference in your health and in your perspective on living.

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Lyneah Marks, Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (NC 647), Body, Soul & Angels Healing Practitioner, Certified Reflexologist, Advanced Tachyon Practitioner Level II

In the Autumn of 2011, I joined Dr. Paul Aaron, Chiropractic Physician, and the team at the Health Center of Hillsborough. This is a tremendous milestone in my life—to collaborate with other health care practitioners and staff on a mission to promote healing and wellness.

I love my work and look forward to providing you with a session designed to meet your needs. If you are looking for relaxation, relaxing Swedish massages (I’m part Swedish, trained by my Swedish Father, so you always get a Swedish Massage from me ? ) and hot stones will provide deep relaxation that will last. Or choose therapeutic massage for dealing with accidents, injuries, aches and pains.

Below is a description of the services that I am pleased to offer to my clients. I use all organic oils and strive to provide the service you request.

Massage: a gliding, smooth deliciously relaxing massage, a therapeutic massage targeting areas of discomfort or pain, hot stone massage therapy which melts away tension and stress and relaxes muscles deeply, deep tissue or a combination.

Reflexology: offered as part of the massage or as a stand alone service.

Healing: Body, Soul & Angels Healing energy to remove blocks, and provide energetic renewal.

Chakra balancing: a technique which relaxes, rejuvenates and renews your energy body which in turn rejuvenates your physical body.

Past Life Healing: working with the akashic records to help you identify and heal blocks so you can move forward and resolve life challenges.

ECE: Energy Clearing and Elevation: clearing and elevating energies in homes, schools, churches and businesses to improve personal relations, business flow and general atmosphere.

Advanced Tachyon Technologies: products and services employing cutting-edge energy nutrition and youth-ing technology.

Energy work and soul-spiritual healing can stand alone or compliment a massage session. My treatments have helped speed recovery for many accident victims and have helped reduce discomfort from computer stress. I can help relieve computer stress and help runners keep running. My goal is to help you feel better so you can more fully live your life.

In addition to my individualized hands-on healing, Dr. Aaron and I facilitate workshops such as, Is Your Computer a Pain in Your Neck?: Reducing computer stress through ergonomics and stretching, Reverse Aging with Energy Nutrition: Reverse the clock with Youth-ing, and Stress Management for 2012 and Beyond.

Since my near death experience in 1975, my passion has been to use my talents as a healer to help my clients eliminate pain and come to a new level of happiness and wholeness. I began working full-time as a health care practitioner in 1994, and I have devoted my life to the healing arts for the benefit of our community. My credentials include: Master of Arts in Science Education, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Nationally Certified in Massage (NCBTMB), Certified Reflexologist, Level II Advanced Tachyon Technologies Practitioner, AMTA member, and North Carolina licensed in massage and bodywork therapy.

In 1996, I started teaching the Body, Soul & Angels Healing Technique which focuses on energy healing, soul-spiritual healing and past-life healing. I produced the Embracing Meditation series with Mark Hirschhorn: CD’s that include such topics as Embracing Worthiness, Embracing the Divine Feminine and Embracing Empowerment. My book, Thirsting for a Raindrop, will be coming out soon.

Originally from the Midwest, I have lived in North Carolina for 24 years, and I enjoy integrating my scientific side with my intuitive abilities.

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Dr. Paul Aaron | Phone: (919) 241-5032
241 South Nash Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278