T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY Marshalltown native Johnathan Underberg (pictured) will launch 13th Street Chiropractic inside of the Nourish building on Nov. 1.

Johnathan Underberg didn’t know much of anything about his current line of work until a life-changing car accident set him on the course that will culminate with the upcoming opening of 13th Street Chiropractic inside of the Nourish building.

“It kind of chose me, which was pretty crazy,” he said.

Underberg grew up within blocks of his new office, and he’s already enjoying the chance encounters with old friends and relatives that have become a regular occurrence since he moved back to his hometown.

“Coming back and seeing this whole area completely different from when I grew up, especially with the amphitheatre they put in here and just 13th Street itself blowing up the way it is, I’m super excited to come back,” he said.

His journey took him to Iowa State University and then the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, where Underberg earned his degree in 2018 before working in Cedar Rapids the last three years.

A lucky coincidence helped to bring Underberg back to Marshalltown. His mother bumped into Nourish owner Rhonda Spellman about a year ago, and the conversation segued into chiropractic work and health care. Spellman knew she wanted a chiropractor in her building, but the timing– initially, at least– wasn’t right for Underberg.

Fast forward a year, however, and he was ready to make the jump.

“I was ready to spread my wings and fly and become an independent contractor,” Underberg said. “And it was perfect for me, because ever since I graduated, I always wanted to be in a multidisciplinary practice where I didn’t have to send you across town for this treatment and this treatment and this treatment.”

As he prepares to launch 13th Street Chiropractic on Nov. 1, Underberg envisions it as a one-stop shop for chiropractic work, massage therapy, cold laser therapy, stretching and muscle development.

“(There are) a lot of good things that we can pair up to really get people feeling better,” he said.

The process of transitioning from an employee to a business owner– especially in the health care industry– has created a lot of extra work for Underberg, but he’s excited to take on all of the challenges that come with such a move.

Returning to a town where his roots are so deeply embedded after three years in Cedar Rapids has been a special experience for Underberg. The first person he met during a recent stop at a local bank knew his great aunt, and one of his best childhood friends is married to another employee there.

“I was like, ‘I miss this.’ I’m always bumping into people. It’s crazy,” Underberg said. “Coming back here, it’s been pretty awesome.”

Upon opening, 13th Street Chiropractic will not be accepting insurance but will take cash, credit, debit, Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts for both walk-ins and appointments. The office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.