Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Derek Munson
Growing up in Gladwin, MI, I always had a passion for caring for others. Before becoming a chiropractor, I spent two years during my undergraduate work at Saginaw Valley State University as a medical scribe in the emergency department, where I witnessed first-hand how our current medical system fell short in addressing the cause of illness and injuries. The patient-centered, health-focused Chiropractic system was re-introduced to me after a series of low back injuries while working through my undergraduate degree program. I had always received chiropractic care during childhood from all the bumps, bruises, and accidents that came with growing up on a farm and riding horses. Somehow, up until then, I had not connected the dots of the kind of doctor I wanted to be and how I could help people naturally until the unfortunate occurrence where I had to have an emergency appendectomy. Subsequently, I was prescribed opioid painkillers following the surgery and was unable to think clearly or find my typical mental sharpness. I hated that feeling, and I hated even more that I saw many patients coming into the emergency department, leaving with similar prescriptions and conditions. This is when my passion for the power of the human body and my desire to find better healthcare was ignited.
The appreciation for the body's ability to adapt and heal naturally truly came to light during my doctorate of chiropractic studies at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota. I want to serve my community to the best of my ability, so I set my mind to attending as many seminars and elective courses that were teaching various techniques of chiropractic care as I could. I am thankful for the deeper growth and experience provided by the many doctors I have had the pleasure of working with over these years.
All of this passion, time, and hard work has led me back home to this west Michigan community, where we cannot wait to help Michiganders redefine what health means to them; To facilitate true healing through the removal of your interferences, and to empower you to attain optimal health. When not caring for patients' spines, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Rebecca, whom I met at Saginaw Valley State, married in Holland, and recently had our amazing son, Charlie, in Grand Rapids. I also enjoy boating on the lake, fishing, hiking, and just being outdoors, experiencing nature's beauty. With a zest for life, my family and I enjoy exploring and traveling to new places and meeting new people. We are often accompanied on our adventures by our beloved Golden Retriever, Bailey. To say the least, we love calling Michigan our home.