Couple takes over Whitefish chiropractic office

Jesse and Angie Wathan knew it was time to leave their Iowa roots when a power company began planning to build a nuclear facility across the road from their 250 acre farm.

Concerned about the environment of their hometown of Wilton, Iowa, the couple decided it was time to relocate. Both armed with chiropractic degrees, they set their sights West where they hoped to open a clinic.

“We pulled out a big map of the U.S and put X’s on the states we didn’t want to go,” Jesse explained. “Then we looked at where our chiropractic licenses would take us.”

With family in the Flathead Valley, they narrowed the search to Montana.

Then an opportunity fell into their laps.

Longtime Whitefish chiropractor Dr. Wilson decided to retire, leaving an opening at the Wilson Chiropractic Clinic.

The Wathans jumped on the opportunity and moved to Whitefish this summer.

“Instead of building a business, we were able to move into one that is up and going,” Jesse said.

They plan to keep the business name Wilson Chiropractic and stay in the same facility on the corner of Edgewood and Wisconsin Avenue.

“It’s name recognition,” Jesse said. “It’s been a great place here for 30 years.”

Both are graduates from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, but Jesse and Angie entered the field at different times and for different reasons.

Angie’s interest in the field was sparked after she worked at a chiropractic office in Iowa for a summer.

“I watched all the miraculous things it did,” she said. “Kids quit wetting the bed or colic would disappear with just a few adjustments. I was very intrigued.”

The Wathans oldest child, Josie, suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was just 3 years old. Angie has centered her career around treating Josie and focusing on a healthy nervous system, nutrition, and exercise and rehab.

“Josie shaped our practice to what it is,” Angie said.

Angie has devoted hundreds of hours of continuing education in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, sensory challenges, seizures, neuro-immunology, and cerebral palsy. She also founded the Children’s Disabilities Group of the Quad Cities in Iowa.

Jesse worked at a corn processing plant and as a dairy herdsman in Iowa before entering the chiropractic field.

“I had no intention of ever being a chiropractor until I got hurt on one of my jobs,” he said.

The injury required serious neck and back surgery. After working with his wife through rehabilitation, Jesse decided to go to chiropractic school, as well.

He has focused his career on sports rehabilitation, and uses techniques to mobilize the bones and joints of the spine.

He considers himself a “health and wellness junkie” who loves to stay active in the outdoors.

Both Jesse and Angie offer regular chiropractic adjustments.

Jesse says that, together, the couple offers a wide variety of chiropractic treatment under one roof.

“We compliment each other well,” he said. “We have a lot of fun working together.”

The Wathans have three children, Josie, 11, and twin boys, Justin and Jarret, who are 6.

The Wilson Chiropractic Clinic can be reached at 862-8080.