Meet Dr. John Owings

My Story

“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 brought my pain from a 10 to a 3, I knew this was my calling. 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.

Qualifications & Accreditations

I received my Bachelor of Arts in speech and communications in 1991 at the University of Alaska and then received my Doctorate of Chiropractic in 1996 at Palmer College. Since then, I’ve been in private practice in Grand Rapids.

I’m licensed by the State of Michigan and certified in chiropractic by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).

Continuing Education

Committed to Learning So You Can Get the Best Care Possible!

• Nutrition Response Testing (Basic)
• Nutrition Response Testing (Intermediate)
• Nutrition Response Testing (Advanced Clinical Training)
  • (Level 1; ACT Parts 1-3)
  • (Level 2; ACT Parts 4-6)
  • (Level 3; ACT Parts 7-9)
• The Fundamentals of Nutritional Therapy
• The Fats of Life
• The Gluten, Leaky Gut Autoimmune Connection
• Clinical Purification and Detoxification
• Clinical Interpretation of Salivary Hormonal Profiles
• Mayo Clinic Top Ten Health Threats for Men and Women
• Breakthroughs and Assessment in the Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Injuries and Disorders
• Clinical Strategies for Restoring Energy and Optimizing Health
• Validating Chiropractic 2008 Current Research Update
• X-ray Update with Professional Boundaries and Ethics Review
• Pettibon Institute Research and Education: Fundamentals
• The Fatigue Solution
• Obesity-Related Health Problems: New Understandings and New Solutions
• Men’s and Women’s Health
• Advanced Nutritional Strategies for Autoimmune Diseases
• Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Other Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: Module 1
• Chiropractic Certification in Spinal Trauma Module I – X
• The Wellness Practice Certification Program Module I and II
• Nutritional Approaches to Stress-Induced Disorders – New Strategies for Improving Adrenal and Thyroid Disorders
• Neuromechanical Innovations: 21st Century Chiropractic Training
• Improving Health Outcomes Through Nutritional Support for Metabolic Biotransformation
• Nutritional Management of Peri-Menopause /Menopause – Addressing the Quality of Life and Risk of Disease in Women of Menopausal Age
• Successful Clinical Nutrition Approaches Towards the Management of Chronic Disorders
• Nutritional Approaches to Stress-Induced Disorders
• The Advanced Functional Medicine Clinical Program, San Diego, California
• Advanced Therapeutic Nutrition
• Chiropractic Role in Children and Allergies
• Whiplash Trauma for Chiropractors, 1998
• Successful Clinical Nutrition Approaches Towards the Management of Chronic Disorders
• Clinical Interpretation of Salivary Hormonal Profiles
• Nutritional Approaches to Stress-Induced Disorders
• The Advanced Functional Medicine Clinical Program, San Diego, California
• Advanced Therapeutic Nutrition
• Chiropractic Role in Children and Allergies
• Whiplash Trauma for Chiropractors