My name is Ryan Nelson, and I am a 4th generation chiropractor. I am the youngest of six kids, and the only one born in Vernal. My parents moved to Vernal in 1969 from Salt Lake City. From an early age, I wanted to join my father in his chiropractic business. I graduated high school in 1994 and took a few labor jobs.
I worked in the oil field for a while, then moved to Salt Lake City to work in heavy construction. I later worked as a pipe layer and eventually moved up to a foreman position over a small crew. As time went on, I realized something was missing from my life. I was not doing what I was destined to do, and I could feel it every day.
Around this time, I met my amazing wife, Niki. I told her how unhappy I was with my job and that it was time for me to go back to school. Niki is originally from Wisconsin and wanted to move closer to her family, so I applied to the University of Wisconsin and was accepted. We packed up and moved.
I spent countless hours studying and had very little time to spend with Niki, yet she supported me every step of the way. I proposed to Niki on her birthday, and we were married in 2002.
In 2004, I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in biology. I applied to Sherman College in South Carolina for my doctoral degree and was accepted. Once again, Niki and I packed up and moved. My grandfather helped start Sherman College, so it was an honor for me to attend this school. I was president of the Diversified Club and spent most of my time studying and participating in clubs to learn more about chiropractic techniques and applications.
We had our first daughter while we lived in South Carolina in 2006. She is my little Southern Belle. I graduated with a Doctorate in Chiropractic in 2007 as a fourth-generation chiropractor: myself, my father, my grandfather, my great grandfather and great grandmother. Niki and I moved back to Vernal so I could join my father’s practice of 45 years. In 2008, our second beautiful daughter was born in Roosevelt.
Our youngest daughter was born at home in 2013. Experiencing an at home birth was one of the greatest joys of my life. It was such a surreal experience to watch Niki’s strength and perseverance. We now had three healthy and beautiful daughters!
In 2011, we took the practice over. Our practice is a multidimensional clinic which integrates holistic medicine with chiropractic care. We offer our patients a complete pathway to healing with specialties like cold laser therapy, nutritional IVs, homeopathic trigger point injections, medical weight loss, PRP injections, ozone therapies, and umbilical tissue injections specifically designed to help worn out joints.
I had finally found my true calling. Changing people’s lives with my hands is the greatest job I could ever ask for. I genuinely enjoy helping people. It is one of the greatest joys to see a patient that was in pain and be able to help them get back to function and the activities they enjoy. I work with patients from 0 to 100. Working with babies is one of my favorite specialties. My patients are not just conditions, they are friends.
I am truly blessed to be able to come into the clinic every day and love what I do. Not everyone can say the same, so feel incredibly lucky to have found my passion. Being a part of this wonderful community and being able to help our patients cements every decision I made that led me down this path.