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Dr. Jason James, DC, is the founder and clinic director of James Healthcare & Associates, Inc. in Keokuk, Iowa. His practice provides Gonstead chiropractic care, physiotherapy, neuropathy treatment, hormone optimization, weight management, and other wellness services focused on each patient’s individual needs.
His path into chiropractic began after he sustained serious injuries while serving as an Infantry Paratrooper with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. After living with chronic spinal pain, he experienced significant improvement following his first Gonstead chiropractic adjustment. That experience inspired him to pursue chiropractic care and help others who feel frustrated, discouraged, or limited by pain.
Today, Dr. James combines his personal understanding of injury and recovery with years of clinical experience. He emphasizes thorough evaluations, honest recommendations, patient education, and personalized care designed to address underlying health concerns rather than simply covering up symptoms.
Outside of the practice, he values his faith, spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, relaxing outdoors by the pool, and celebrating special moments with a grass-fed, bone-in ribeye steak.
What inspired you to build James Healthcare & Associates?
My own experience with injury and recovery inspired me to build the practice. While serving as an Infantry Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, I was injured during a military parachute jump and developed chronic spinal pain.
Receiving my first Gonstead chiropractic adjustment gave me relief, but it also gave me hope and a new direction in life. I decided to dedicate my career to helping people who are searching for answers and want to regain their health, movement, and quality of life.
What challenges did you overcome at the beginning of your journey?
One of my first challenges was completely changing the direction of my life after leaving the military. Chiropractic school was demanding academically and financially, and I was still dealing with the physical effects of my injuries.
After graduation, I also had to earn the trust of the community one patient at a time. I learned that trust develops naturally when you listen carefully, treat people with respect, provide honest recommendations, and consistently put their best interests first.
What is unique about your business?
Our practice focuses on understanding the individual rather than placing every patient into the same treatment plan. We take time to listen, perform a thorough evaluation, explain what we find, and create a plan based on the patient’s condition, needs, and goals.
My personal experience also shapes the way I care for people. I know what it feels like to live with pain and wonder whether you will ever feel normal again. Because of that, I try to make sure every patient feels heard, respected, and never rushed.
Is there anything you would have done differently when starting?
I would have been more patient and trusted the process. Early in my career, I believed I needed to have every answer immediately and that success should happen quickly. I now understand that becoming a better doctor and building a trusted practice take time.
I also would have learned more about the business side of healthcare earlier. Clinical knowledge is essential, but leadership, financial management, hiring, systems, and workplace culture are also important when building a successful practice.
What advice would you give to someone trying to become an entrepreneur?
Be prepared to work hard and make sacrifices. Owning a business is not always the easier path. You may work longer hours, accept greater responsibility, and initially earn less than you would working for someone else.
You also need a purpose that is bigger than money. Focus on serving people, building your reputation one relationship at a time, maintaining your integrity, and learning from your mistakes. Do not expect the journey to be easy. Expect it to be worth it.
What are the qualities of a good entrepreneur?
A good entrepreneur needs integrity, resilience, vision, humility, and a willingness to serve others. Your reputation cannot be purchased, so you must protect it by doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.
Entrepreneurs must also be able to learn from failure, adapt to challenges, and continue moving forward. The best business owners understand that they do not have every answer and surround themselves with talented people who can help the organization improve.
How do you define success?
I define success by the impact I have on the people around me. It is not primarily about titles, income, or the size of a business.
Success means using the abilities God has given me to help patients regain their health, create opportunities for my team, care for my family, and leave my community better than I found it. If I can accomplish those things while remaining faithful to my values, I consider that a successful life.
What is your favorite book or podcast, and why?
My favorite book is The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell. It taught me that leadership is not about having a title. Leadership is about influence, trust, integrity, and the example you set for others.
The book has helped me communicate more effectively, delegate responsibilities, build a stronger team, and create an environment where people can grow. One lesson that continues to stay with me is that if I want my organization to improve, I must be willing to improve first.
What strategy helped you grow your business?
One of the most effective strategies has been focusing on excellence instead of chasing growth. I concentrated on giving each patient the best care possible, treating people honestly, and delivering on my promises.
That approach naturally led to trust, long-term relationships, and word-of-mouth referrals. I have also continued learning and improving my clinical skills, services, and business systems. I believe that when you serve people exceptionally well, sustainable growth often follows.
TL;DR by Dr. Jason James
My military injury introduced me to Gonstead chiropractic care and gave me a new purpose. I built James Healthcare & Associates to help people understand the underlying causes of their health concerns, regain function, and improve their quality of life through personalized care.
My journey has taught me that success requires patience, hard work, resilience, lifelong learning, and integrity. Most importantly, success is not measured by income or recognition. It is measured by the people you help, the relationships you build, and the positive impact you leave behind.
