“I’m going to die,” I thought as I lay on the hospital bed, my 12-year-old body wracked with pain. The ruptured appendix had turned into peritonitis, and complications kept piling up. I needed multiple surgeries and spent weeks in that hospital, not knowing if I would make it out alive.
This is a real-life story that happened to me back in 1978… But let me start at the beginning.
I was an active kid, always eager to participate in sports and competitions. That summer, I competed in the Jesse Owens Games, a national event set up by the legendary Olympic gold medalist. It was a thrilling experience, but little did I know that the following day would mark the start of a life-changing journey.
The day after the competition, I started feeling sick. By nightfall, I was in excruciating pain. It turned out to be a ruptured appendicitis, which quickly escalated into peritonitis. If anything could go wrong, it went wrong. I underwent multiple surgeries, as doctors fought to keep me alive.
Lying in that hospital bed, I felt hopeless and scared. The pain was unbearable, and I didn’t know if I would ever make it out. But amidst the darkness, a light shone through – the compassionate care of my surgeon, Dr. Steven Minker.
His dedication and kindness left an indelible mark on my young mind. As I recovered, we would talk, and those conversations planted a seed that would later grow into a desire to help others the way he helped me.
Little did I know that this harrowing experience would set the stage for a journey that would lead me to my true calling – becoming a medical doctor and helping people break free from the limitations of chronic pain and illness.
But the road ahead was not without its challenges…
As I grew older, the memory of Dr. Minker’s compassionate care never left me. It inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, with the dream of one day being able to help others the way he had helped me.
However, fate had a different plan in store. During college, I suffered a severe injury that would change the course of my life. I fell down a flight of stairs, badly hurting my lower back. The pain was excruciating, and I could barely walk.
In desperation, I turned to a chiropractor for help. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. After just one visit, my pain level dropped from a 10 to a 3. It was an instant, life-altering relief.
At that moment, I had an epiphany. If chiropractic care could have such a profound impact on my own life, imagine what it could do for others suffering from chronic pain and dysfunction.
I made the decision to pivot from my path towards becoming a medical doctor and instead pursue a career as a chiropractor. I wanted to dedicate my life to helping people experience the same transformative healing that I had.
As I began my practice, I poured my heart and soul into my work. I took countless postgraduate classes, learning everything I could about adjusting techniques, functional nutrition, and neurology. I was driven by an insatiable desire to help my patients on the deepest level possible.
But despite my best efforts, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still missing. I was helping people, but not to the extent I knew was achievable.
That’s when I met Dr. Andy Barlow and was introduced to the world of functional neurology. As I delved deeper into this cutting-edge field, I discovered the incredible potential of integrating neurological work with nutrition and metabolic health.
Suddenly, I was witnessing transformations in my patients’ lives that I had never thought possible. Chronic pain disappeared, sensation returned to numb limbs, and foggy minds became clear once again.
But the real turning point came when I realized that by working outside the constraints of the insurance system, I could provide the personalized, patient-centric care that truly makes a difference.
I had found my true calling – combining the power of chiropractic neurology and metabolic health with an unwavering commitment to putting my patients’ needs first.
And now, after 28 years in practice and thousands of hours of advanced training, I’ve honed a unique methodology that consistently delivers life-changing results for those suffering from even the most complex chronic health issues.
If you’re struggling with chronic pain, neurological dysfunction, or metabolic disorders, I want you to know that there is hope. You don’t have to resign yourself to a life limited by ill health.
I’ve helped countless patients achieve what they thought was impossible – and I’m ready to help you too.
“I’m going to die,” I thought, lying in a hospital bed at 12 years old. My appendix had ruptured, and the infection spread. Surgery after surgery, I wasn’t sure if I’d make it.
This happened in 1978. But let me back up.
I was an active kid. That summer, I competed in the Jesse Owens Games—a national event. The next day, I got sick. By night, I was in severe pain. It was appendicitis turned peritonitis. Everything that could go wrong, did.
I spent weeks in the hospital. The pain was unbearable. I felt scared and hopeless. The one light? Dr. Steven Minker—my surgeon. His care and compassion left a mark on me. We talked during recovery, and those conversations planted a seed: I wanted to help others the way he helped me.
I set out to become a medical doctor. But life had other plans.
In college, I fell down a flight of stairs and badly injured my lower back. I could barely walk. Desperate, I visited a chiropractor. After one adjustment, my pain dropped from a 10 to a 3. It was instant relief—and a wake-up call.
I realized chiropractic care could change lives. I shifted paths and became a chiropractor. I dove deep—studying adjusting techniques, nutrition, and neurology—driven to help my patients feel truly well.
Still, something was missing.
Then I met Dr. Andy Barlow and discovered functional neurology. It changed everything. By combining neurological work with nutrition and metabolic health, I started seeing results I’d never imagined—chronic pain gone, mobility restored, clarity returned.
The biggest breakthrough? Leaving the insurance system. It allowed me to focus 100% on my patients and deliver care that works.
Now, after 28 years and thousands of hours of advanced training, I’ve built a unique approach that gets results—even for complex chronic issues.
If you’re dealing with chronic pain or health struggles, don’t give up. There’s a path forward—and I’m here to help you find it.
Dr. John Owings is the Executive Director of Natural Healing Center of Grand Rapids Home Of Advanced Family Chiropractic Center. From a very young age, Dr. Owings knew he wanted to be a doctor. First exposed to chiropractic in high school after sustaining spinal injuries while playing basketball, he was impressed by the non-invasive approach to resolving pain.
After a series of spinal adjustments, he knew that providing chiropractic care was a career path he wanted to pursue. Dr. Owings received his Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Communications in 1991 at the University of Alaska and then received his Doctorate of Chiropractic in 1996 at Palmer College. Since then, he has been in private practice in Grand Rapids.
Dr. Owings is licensed by the State of Michigan and is certified in chiropractic by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).
Dr. Owings, his wife, Susan, their three sons, dog and cat reside in Grand Rapids.
