Pro Chiropractic, situated in Bozeman, Montana, was founded by Dr. Jonathan “Jon” Wilhelm. Dr. Wilhelm established his first practice in 2004, with subsequent expansions beginning only two years later. Big Sky Spinal Care Center, now known as Pro Physio, launched in 2006 as a second rehabilitation and specialized non-surgical spinal decompression center. The second Pro Chiropractic site opened in Manhattan, MT in 2012, and the third Pro Chiropractic office debuted in 2015 in the lovely Gallatin Valley of Southwest Montana.
Dr. Wilhelm was born in Circle, Montana, and moved to Bozeman when he was three years old. He’s lived in the Gallatin Valley ever since. He attended Montana State University in the Pre-Med program, then Life University’s College of Chiropractic in Atlanta, GA, and Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, MO, where he completed his chiropractic studies and clinical rotations. Dr. Wilhelm received his Chiropractic Doctorate in 2004, ranking top of his class and receiving particular commendation for excellent clinical performance and academic excellence.
Dr. Wilhelm received his MS in Sports Science and Rehabilitation in 2012, making him the first licensed sports medicine chiropractor in Montana with added master’s degree level training. In addition to being a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP®), he is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (CCEP), making him one of a a select few sports chiropractors in the world with this rare combination of credentials. Dr. Wilhelm is also a member of the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS) and holds their International Sports Chiropractic Credential (ICSC). He served for six years on The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, which is the entity responsible for testing and certifying sports chiropractors in the United States, and currently is an international instructor for FICS Sports Chiropractic Federation.
Dr. Wilhelm specializes in sports medicine and treats athletes of all ages and experience levels to help them achieve their sporting objectives and recover from injuries more quickly. He is a member of the American Chiropractic Association, the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, the ACA Sports Council, the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic – FICS, and the Montana Chiropractic Association. He is a team physician for Montana State University Athletics and has worked with USA Gymnastics, USA Track and Field, USA Bobsled Skeleton, the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS), the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, and the American Chiropractic Association Sports Council. Dr. Wilhelm was selected 2018 ACA Sports Council Sports Chiropractor of the Year after serving on the USOPC Medical Team for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang! Both are firsts for a sports chiropractor in Montana. In the recent days since these incredible accomplishments, Dr. Wilhelm has additionally participated in the Mt Sac Relays for the 4th Consecutive Year and has been invited to work at The World Games this summer in Birmingham, Alabama.
His expertise in sports medicine and performance chiropractic therapy give him a unique eye for determining the underlying source of musculoskeletal dysfunction and the skill to employ the quickest and most effective physical medicine methods to help his athletes and patients achieve. Some of these methods include manual therapies like Spinal Manipulation and Mobilization, Cupping Therapy, Guided PEMF Therapy (EPulse), Shockwave Therapy, functional taping methods and more. Dr. Wilhelm has further completed trainings in Extremity Management, Dry Needling Therapy, Advanced Graston IASTM Technique, Fascial Manipulation, FAKTR Rehabilitative Methods, Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), and Whiplash and Spinal Trauma Advanced Certification.
There is no doubt Dr Wilhelm is passionate about helping athletes achieve through treatment and rehabilitation. And he is even more acutely aware of mental health and abuse issues that exist in sport which threaten to rob athletes of far more than performance or achievement. Dr Wilhelm is devoted to being equipped to prevent, recognize, and respond to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as mental health issues. He is SafeSport trained and certified, and voluntarily completes annual ethics and boundary education, and SafeSport retaining to ensure he is educated and aware of the latest best practices, policies and guidelines to creating safe and respectful sporting environments free of abuse and harassment
Dr. Jon Wilhelm has a wonderful family. Trevor and Amra are the pride and pleasure of his and his wife April. They like international travel, camping, hiking, reading, movies, and making memories with their families. One of their favorite family memories was visiting the Christmas markets in Europe, and they love being together in Cabo, Mexico! Jon is motivated to help others because he believes in the fundamentals of chiropractic care, which include love and service. He also believes that continuing his training will result in a better-cared-for and happier patient. In other words, he continues to strive through better training, technology, and service to better provide value to each patient.
How did you get started in your industry?
I founded Pro Chiropractic in Belgrade, Montana right out of graduate school. We were a small operation with a dream, some school loans, and an ambition to serve our community. I never was part of a preceptorship, and never was an associate in another clinic. I just knew somewhere in the last six months of my schooling that I wanted to open and own my own practice. I can remember the day I called my father from the parking lot of student clinic to tell him this!
I wrote down my goals, filled my mind with motivational recordings and readings, and with the love and support of my family, we were off! And by off, I mean lots of work, networking, and getting involved. I even remember knocking on doors and passing flyers for our new business in the local neighborhoods. We also knew we wanted the practice April and I built to live beyond us, that’s why we had to choose a name that was bigger than our surname.
I first came up with the name Pro Chiropractic while attending graduate school near St Louis, Missouri. I was considering the name of a chiropractic practice if I ever opened one as I drove down a busy street lined with numerous businesses. As I drove, I noticed that most smaller businesses were named Tim’s Auto Repair or Ellisville Family Dentistry, whereas the larger, more successful businesses had names Costco and Walmart. The signs for smaller businesses used a variety of colors and fonts, were inconsistent, and lacked continuity, whereas the signs for larger businesses used much more defined, strong, and bold colors and fonts. That is when I decided to name and develop a business that would be unrelated to my town, family, or myself. Instead, I would choose a name that was straightforward, strong, and accurately described what I did. I desired a business and a name that would thrive and endure long after I was gone. Additionally, I would choose a font and colors that reflected the simplicity and strength of the most successful national and international brands. Pro Chiropractic was the moniker I chose.
What is your favorite part of being a Chiropractor?
I love using my hand to get people out of pain and back to doing what they love. I am also passionate about educating patients on how their bodies work and what they can do to keep them functioning optimally. Finally, I love that there is a philosophy, science, and art behind what we do as chiropractors. And I love learning and growing in each of these areas to make myself a better doctor for my patients.
What is your favorite part of owning your own business?
I love being able to help as many people as possible and having the freedom to do things my own way. I enjoy that I can create and easily implement and idea or procedure and am not tethered to too much stifling over-analysis and group think. Additionally, April and I love being able to give back to our community through Pro Chiropractic’s philanthropic efforts.
Do you have any advice for others looking to start their own business?
My advice is to choose a name and brand that accurately reflects what you do and who you are. Additionally, be sure to put in the hard work upfront to set yourself up for success, and this includes working on yourself from the inside with goal setting, visualization, and affirmation. Once you get your business off the ground, always be learning and growing so that you can continue to serve your clients/customers at the highest level.
What was your experience like working with the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang?
My experience working with the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang was the culmination of many years of training, travel, work, and sacrifice, and it was incredible! I had the opportunity to work with some of the best athletes in the world and help them perform at their absolute best. It was also an amazing opportunity to work alongside some of the top sports medicine professionals in the world. I will never forget what it felt like to walk into an Olympic Ceremony as part of Team USA and remain grateful for the opportunities I am afforded.
What are some tips you have for staying healthy?
This one can seem complex and overwhelming, but actually is simple. The “little things” you do consistently add up to being healthy or not, more than any “big change” you temporarily plug in to make yourself healthy.
What are your thoughts on the future of chiropractic care?
I believe that chiropractic care will continue to grow in popularity as people become more aware of the many benefits it offers. I also believe that chiropractic care will become more mainstream, and that insurance industry will increasingly cover chiropractic services as the public demands this. Like medicine, I see chiropractic becoming increasingly specialized with more chiropractic specialists in sports, pediatrics, neurology and more. These specialists will be increasingly sought out and reimbursed for their expertise.
What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Being selected to serve as part of Team USA Medical 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang and again by Team GB and Team Australia at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China is near the top of the list. Each if these were unique and exceptional professional accomplishments and experiences, which I am very grateful for. Founding, growing, and operating multi-million-dollar businesses literally from nothing, with no outside funding or support, and sharing the prosperity and success of these businesses with our family of team member employees is our greatest business accomplishment. Building a reputation of giving and volunteering in our local community is my greatest philanthropic accomplishment. Eclipsing all those accomplishments has been maintaining and growing my relationships with my wife and children, and this is the accomplishment I most look forward to adding to.
What are your goals for the future?
I look forward to finding a nice balance between professional and family needs and aspirations. I want to share numerous travel adventures with my wife to many new beaches, mountains, cities and all the amazing places! I plan to learn to speak a foreign language and to play the guitar. I know I will want to build and grow something somewhere; not sure quite what and where yet. I intend to grow as a person in greater honesty and humility.
Are you interested in being a mentor?
I am definitely interested in being a mentor! I believe that mentorship is a great way to help others achieve their goals. In fact, I am mentoring several young professionals currently. If you are interested in being mentored by me, please feel free to reach out. I would be more than happy to chat with you about your goals and how I might be able to help you achieve them.