From Athlete to Chiropractor: How Dr. Jacob McNamara Turned a Pandemic Setback Into a Practice Rooted in Whole-Body Healing.

When Purpose Meets Opportunity

Many chiropractors spend years dreaming of starting their own practice. Dr. Jacob McNamara’s journey didn’t follow that traditional path. In fact, when he graduated during the height of COVID, he wasn’t thinking about ownership at all.

His only priority?

"My first, when I first started my career, my main focus was how I became a good practitioner? I was not focused on the business side of that. So I was just focusing on healing patients and how to learn everything that I knew in order to help." He said

But then opportunity knocked through a mix of persistence, pandemic-era disruption, and a chance connection with a seasoned doctor ready to retire.

Dr. McNamara didn't just start a practice. He inherited one, with a legacy of functional medicine, 30 years of patient relationships, and a vision that perfectly aligned with his own.

The Injury That Opened His Eyes: When Healing Meant Looking Deeper

Dr. Jacob McNamara didn’t become a chiropractor because of chronic back pain. His path started with a torn hamstring from a high school sports injury and a recovery process that wasn’t working.

“I went through the PT and kind of went through the typical process that you would go through in recovery. And it just wasn’t getting better.” He shared.

After re-tearing the same hamstring post-season, Jacob was desperate to heal before football started again. That’s when someone recommended a chiropractor.

“He did some more passive modalities that they weren’t doing at the other place I was going to… and then it slowly switched kind of the focus into, all right, now how do we retrain the musculature so we do not re-injure everything.”

But what really stood out was the way this chiropractor connected the dots between injury recovery, movement, and something Jacob had never considered: nutrition.

“He focused on… teaching me how to move correctly, really took that time. And not only that, but also talking about, you know, what are you eating? What kind of nutritional things are you doing to help in your recovery?”

That question became a turning point.

“From there on, I started thinking more about health forward and how to take care of my whole body… It opened my eyes to kind of the scope of chiropractic and how it’s not just musculoskeletal spine injuries and how it really deals with the whole body.”

It wasn’t just about fixing one muscle. It was the first time someone treated Jacob as a whole person, and that changed everything.

The Leap: From Preceptorship to Practice Owner

Dr. McNamara studied chiropractic at Palmer College in Florida. But during his final year, COVID disrupted his clinical training. He lost months of patient-facing experience. Preceptorship opportunities dried up.

“I kept getting no after no. Clinics weren’t comfortable bringing in students,” he

Then, a chance referral connected him with Dr. Julie McLaughlin, a veteran functional medicine chiropractor in Illinois. She had decades of experience, a thriving patient base, and a willingness to mentor.

“She told me to come in. On my first day, I watched her explain genetics, diet, and supplements to a patient based on their blood work. I knew I was in the right place.”

When Dr. McLaughlin later developed long COVID, the transition happened faster than expected. She passed the reins to Dr. McNamara, her systems, her patients, and her trust.

Whole-Person Healing: A Philosophy Inherited and Refined

Dr. Jacob McNamara doesn’t just address symptoms he treats people. His approach to care is grounded in a simple but transformative belief:

“The body is one unit not a collection of disconnected parts,” he explained. “You have to see the bigger picture.”

That bigger picture has shaped the way he practices every day. At the center of his method is an integrated model that blends structural, nutritional, and functional insights:

 ➛ Chiropractic Adjustments to restore mobility, reduce pain, and optimize nervous system flow
➛ Functional Blood Testing to identify inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic trends
➛ Targeted Supplementation and Nutrition rooted in data, not guesswork
➛ Whole-System Awareness that goes beyond isolated symptoms to find the root cause

Much of this mindset was nurtured during his early days in practice, when Dr. McNamara trained under Dr. Julie McLaughlin, a seasoned functional medicine expert with three decades of experience. She didn’t just mentor him,she handed over her entire practice.

“She showed me how to take what works, then tweak it to fit my personality,” McNamara recalled. “That gave me confidence.”

From Dr. McLaughlin, he inherited more than a patient list—he absorbed a legacy of structure, curiosity, and patient-first values. Her influence helped him shape a practice that’s not only clinically sound but deeply personal.

And today, that legacy continues—every time he sees a patient not as a problem to fix, but as a whole person ready to heal.

When His Practice Becomes Life-Changing

For Dr. McNamara, healing isn’t just about physical recovery

It’s about restoring what pain has taken away: mobility, confidence, and in some cases, the possibility of new life.

One of the most unforgettable moments in his career came from a patient battling the aftermath of a herniated disc. The injury had flared severely during her second pregnancy, and by the time she arrived at his clinic, the pain was overwhelming.

“She could barely walk,” Dr. McNamara recalled. “Her husband had to help her into the office and onto the treatment table.”

She had already experienced the heartbreak of losing a pregnancy due to the unbearable pain. But this time, something shifted. Dr. McNamara took a comprehensive approach—examining her history, assessing the root of the inflammation, and beginning treatment immediately.

“Even after the very first session, she reported noticeable relief,” he said. “Over the next few weeks, her progress was steady and encouraging.”

Within a short time, she was not only out of pain ,she was stronger, more mobile, and more hopeful than she had been in a long time.

Months later, Dr. McNamara received a phone call. The same patient was experiencing similar discomfort again. But when she walked into his office, this time, she was pregnant again.

“I was thrilled to see her,” he shared. “And I told her, ‘We’re going to get you through these remaining weeks as comfortably as possible.’

And they did. Through careful treatment, regular adjustments, and consistent support, Dr. McNamara helped her manage her symptoms and carry her pregnancy to full term.

“Shortly after giving birth, she came back for a check-up—with her newborn in her arms,” he said, pausing. “That moment was incredibly meaningful for me.”

It wasn’t just a clinical success—it was a personal one. It was a reminder of why he does what he does.

“Helping someone overcome pain is always rewarding,” Dr. McNamara reflected. “But being part of a journey that allowed a family to grow, to welcome a new life into the world… that’s something I’ll never forget.”

In a profession where quick fixes are often praised, this story stands as a testament to the power of slow, steady, holistic healing—and the impact a practitioner can have on not just a body, but a life.

The Knee That Wouldn’t Heal

In another case, a patient with chronic pain after knee replacement surgery had seen multiple practitioners with no results. Dr. McNamara took her through exercises, carefully observed her movement, and spotted something.

“Her tibias were of different lengths after surgery. A simple heel lift fixed everything,” he emphasized.

It was a perfect example of what happens when you really look.

Growth Through Story, Not Hype

Dr. McNamara isn’t trying to scale aggressively.

Instead, he’s:

 ➛ Creating YouTube content to educate and inspire
➛ Building community through Chamber of Commerce outreach
➛ Growing steadily through word-of-mouth referrals
➛ Networking through platforms like MBNews to connect with like-minded professionals

His YouTube videos particularly the chiropractic adjustment clips, have brought in new patients and visibility. But the goal isn’t virality.

"I just really enjoy helping people. That's really what it comes down to." Dr. McNamara proudly stated.

"So we started posting some videos, and then also the YouTube channel just started growing primarily because of those adjusting videos with bringing people to the channel. But then people started subscribing and staying. And we've even had a handful of patients who found us on YouTube," he added.

Advice to New Practitioners

For those entering the world of chiropractic or functional medicine, Dr. McNamara’s message is clear: Don’t skip the fundamentals.

“Don’t rush to be a business owner,” he advised. “First, be a great clinician.”

His own journey reflects that mindset. Early in his career, Dr. McNamara wasn’t focused on building a brand or making money—he was focused on becoming the kind of practitioner who truly changes lives.

“When I first started my career, my main focus was on how to become a good practitioner. I wasn’t thinking about the business side yet,” he said.

That foundation, honed by shadowing, mentoring, and learning under the guidance of experienced professionals like Dr. Julie McLaughlin, proved invaluable when the time came to lead his own practice.

He encourages new practitioners to do the same: seek out mentorship, stay curious, and invest in your clinical expertise and personal growth before jumping into ownership.

And when the time does come to take that entrepreneurial leap?

“Find someone who’s done it well,” Dr. McNamara shared. “Learn their systems. Then make them your own.”

It’s the blend of humility and intention that sets his advice apart. He didn’t build his practice overnight—he built it with care, integrity, and a deep respect for the profession.

For any new graduate or early-stage practitioner wondering how to start strong, his wisdom is simple but powerful: be excellent at your craft first. The rest will follow.

His Message to the Wellness Industry

As health entrepreneurs rush toward innovation and tech disruption, Dr. McNamara offers a grounded reminder:

Healing doesn’t always come from the newest tool or latest trend.

It comes from:

 ➛ Listening
➛ Testing, not guessing
➛ Treating the body as a whole
➛ And showing up—consistently

“Healthcare can be confusing, especially as the fitness and health sphere kind of grows. You can go online and, you know, you may see. I think it's great that there's so much information out there right now. But the problem is there's a lot of not-so-good information," he explained.

Purpose, Passed On

Dr. Jacob McNamara didn’t just inherit a practice. He inherited a mission—and made it his own.

At MBNews, we spotlight doctors like him because they remind us of what healthcare can be:

✓ Rooted in trust
✓ Fueled by curiosity
✓ Driven by real results

Whether you’re a practitioner just starting out or a seasoned provider looking to shift your approach, let this story be a guide:

You don’t have to build fast. You just have to build right.

Want to connect with Dr. McNamara?
📍 Based in Illinois
🧠 Specializing in chiropractic + functional nutrition
📺 YouTube: Dr. Jacob McNamara

🌐 Learn more: Mc² Health and Wellness

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