About Our Team
JEFFREY PTAK, D.C., D.S.S., M.S.S., M.A.
Founder & Owner, Ptak Family Chiropractic
Chiropractor · Educator · Author
“My life changed when chiropractic restored my health and freed me from the asthma I had lived with since childhood.”
For nearly fifty years, Dr. Jeffrey Ptak has been asking questions about the brain, body, behavior, health, and our capacity to heal, adapt, and change. For the past forty, he has been asking them while caring for patients.
It Began With His Own Health
Raised in New York City, Dr. Ptak lived with chronic asthma from childhood into early adulthood. Planning a career in medicine, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The American University. Through both his undergraduate and graduate studies, he worked in the Laboratory of Neuropsychology at the National Institutes of Health and published research in brain science before he ever became a chiropractor. A fellowship took him into doctoral study at the City University of New York.
There, a serious injury changed the direction of his life. Herniated discs in his neck and lower back did not respond to conventional treatment, and after two years he was advised to have spinal fusion surgery. He declined and sought chiropractic care instead.
His spine recovered. Unexpectedly, so did the asthma he had lived with for 23 years. Over time, he went from three medications a day to none.
The experience changed more than his health. It changed the questions he was asking.
Why do some people recover while others continue to struggle? What interferes with the body’s ability to adapt and heal? And what might we discover if we looked beyond the symptom and tried to understand the person experiencing it?
Those questions led him to the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, where he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1985. In July 1986, he founded Ptak Family Chiropractic in Santa Monica, which celebrates forty years in 2026.
Forty Years of Asking Better Questions
A lifelong athlete who grew up playing baseball, football, and hockey, Dr. Ptak first focused on injury, rehabilitation, movement, and performance. His postgraduate education expanded to include acupuncture, clinical nutrition, rehabilitative therapies, and extensive study in Functional Neurology through the Carrick Institute.
Four decades of caring for patients have reinforced one central principle:
Where you feel the symptom and why it is occurring are not necessarily the same thing.
That is why Dr. Ptak wants to know more than “Where does it hurt?”
What happened before it hurt? Is today’s symptom truly new, or an acute episode layered on top of something that has been developing for much longer? What is interfering with recovery? And what needs to change for improvement to last?
At Ptak Family Chiropractic, relieving symptoms matters. Creating meaningful, lasting change matters more.
Ptak Family Chiropractic · Santa Monica, California
Dr. Ptak and his team go to extraordinary lengths to understand the whole person and the stresses influencing that person’s health. That includes physical factors such as injury, posture, movement, sleep, nutrition, work, and lifestyle, as well as the mental and emotional stresses and experiences that can influence how we respond, adapt, and recover.
This does not mean every physical problem has an emotional cause. It means something much simpler:
We are whole human beings, and our health is influenced by the lives we live.
The goal is to identify and address what may be interfering with the body’s ability to function, adapt, recover, and heal—and to help patients create changes that have the opportunity to last.
When something falls outside the scope or expertise of the practice, that same commitment means recognizing it and helping the patient find the appropriate care.
The goal isn’t to make chiropractic the answer to everything. It is to understand the person, ask better questions, and help each patient find the right answers.
Science, Consciousness, and the Whole Person
Dr. Ptak’s study of healing eventually reached beyond the physical sciences into psychology, consciousness, and human potential.
He earned two Master of Arts degrees in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica —one in 2012 and a second in 2016 with an emphasis in Consciousness, Health, and Healing— followed by a Master of Spiritual Science in 2021 and a Doctor of Spiritual Science in 2025 from Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy.
These studies did not replace science or clinical reasoning. They widened the lens through which he sees the person in front of him.
A patient is more than a symptom, an MRI, or a diagnosis.
Each person brings a history, experiences, stresses, strengths, beliefs, choices, and an individual capacity to change.
Beyond the Practice
Today, Dr. Ptak’s work extends beyond the treatment room.
He is the author of the forthcoming It’s Like You Never Left: An Invitation to Remember, to be published by Indigo River Publishing. The book brings together a lifetime of scientific inquiry, clinical experience, personal exploration, and spiritual study to examine how our experiences
shape us, what we carry forward, and what becomes possible when we begin to see ourselves differently.
A companion journal has also been developed, with courses, seminars, workshops, small-group experiences, and coaching programs in development.
For Dr. Ptak, this next chapter is an extension of the work he has done with patients for four decades: helping people understand more, ask better questions, make better choices, create lasting change, and, whenever possible, suffer less.
Patients have traveled from throughout Los Angeles, across the United States, and around the world for his care. Yet after forty years, some of his greatest fulfillment still comes from helping individuals and families—including children—discover that where they are today does not determine what comes next.
Dr. Ptak is an active member of the International Chiropractic Association, the California Chiropractic Association, and the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. He continues to see patients at Ptak Family Chiropractic in Santa Monica while writing, teaching, and developing the next chapter of his educational work.
Ptak Family Chiropractic · Santa Monica, California
His Philosophy Is Simple
Listen carefully.
Ask better questions.
Look beyond the symptom.
Understand the person.
And never underestimate the extraordinary capacity we have to change.
READY TO ASK BETTER QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?
If you’re ready to better understand what may be affecting your health—and what you can do about it—we’d welcome the chance to meet you.
BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION
Stay Connected
Follow Dr. Ptak and Ptak Family Chiropractic for articles, videos, health education, book updates, and upcoming programs.
SUBSTACK : https://substack.com/@drjeffreyptak
Yesenia Ramirez
Clinic Administrator
Yesenia Ramirez plays a crucial role as the Clinic Administrator at Ptak Family Chiropractic, where she adeptly supports Dr. Ptak in patient care and efficiently manages the office operations. Her tenure at the clinic, which began in 2011, reflects her dedication to chiropractic care and natural health practices.
Originally from Los Angeles, Yesenia developed a deep appreciation for proactive healthcare from her upbringing, contrasting with more traditional symptom-focused approaches. Her passion for chiropractic and natural health was further influenced by her family’s beliefs, shaping her commitment to holistic wellness.
Yesenia’s educational journey includes earning a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Prior to her current role, she gained valuable experience working with several chiropractors, enhancing her understanding of patient care in clinical settings.
Continuing her educational pursuits, Yesenia is currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Kinesiology, focusing on Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. She aims to integrate these disciplines with Ptak Chiropractic’s philosophy, emphasizing a brain-based, neurological model of healthcare. This interdisciplinary approach underscores her commitment to expanding her knowledge and skills to better serve the clinic’s patient community.
Beyond her professional aspirations, Yesenia’s nurturing demeanor and passion for caring for children make her a particularly valuable asset in supporting families who visit Ptak Chiropractic. Her gentle and compassionate approach contributes to a welcoming environment where patients feel supported and valued.
Overall, Yesenia Ramirez exemplifies a dedicated healthcare professional with a holistic perspective, blending administrative expertise with a genuine commitment to promoting wellness through integrative healthcare practices.
Kecia Golay
Chiropractic Assistant
Kecia Golay brings a strong healthcare background and a genuine passion for helping people to her role as a Chiropractic Assistant at Ptak Family Chiropractic. With experience in healthcare settings, Kecia understands the importance of compassion, clear communication, and creating a welcoming environment where every patient feels supported and cared for.
She takes pride in assisting both doctors and patients throughout each visit, helping ensure that every experience in the office runs smoothly and efficiently. Known for her calm, attentive presence, Kecia is committed to helping patients feel comfortable, informed, and truly valued from the moment they walk through the door.
Kecia is grateful to be part of a team devoted to helping individuals and families suffer less, heal better, and live healthier, more vibrant lives.
Naz Amini
MS. CNS, CNC, LDN Nutritionist
Naz brings a wealth of expertise and experience to her role as a licensed clinical nutritionist. With a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport, she has developed a robust understanding of biochemistry and the science behind nutraceutical therapy. Over the past decade, Naz has leveraged this knowledge to provide comprehensive wellness counseling, integrating current technologies and diagnostic tools to personalize her approach.
Her specialization in autoimmune conditions, gut-related issues, and brain health underscores her dedication to addressing complex health challenges through tailored nutritional strategies. Naz’s philosophy, “An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure” aligns with a proactive approach to health, emphasizing preventive measures to maintain well-being and manage diseases effectively.
In addition to her clinical practice, Naz is adept at leading nutritional programs aimed at promoting health and enhancing quality of life. Her experience in supervising health services and conducting nutritional research further highlights her commitment to advancing the field of nutrition through evidence-based practices.
Overall, Naz’s multifaceted expertise and holistic approach make her a valuable resource in the realm of clinical nutrition, empowering individuals to achieve optimal health outcomes through personalized dietary interventions and lifestyle modifications.
Office:
3122 Santa Monica Blvd #102,
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Email:
ptakfamilychiropractic@gmail.com
Office Hours:
Monday:7:30am – 12:15pm & 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Tuesday: 7:30am - 12:15pm
Wednesday: 7:30am – 12:15pm & 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursday:7:30am - 12:15pm & 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Friday:7:30am – 12:15pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Phone:
310-473-7991