Patient care an important focus for couple at Montgomery Chiropractic
By TONYA WARREN | Photos by BRANDY CRUZ and courtesy of MONTGOMERY CHIROPRACTIC
If you said that Dr. Micah Montgomery’s first official introduction to chiropractic care was when he was just a tyke, you’d be correct. He was just a 3-month-old cooing infant in a stroller as his parents, Dr. Larry and Priscilla Montgomery, weaved through a chiropractic conference. The couple opened Montgomery Chiropractic clinic in 1981, and Micah grew up going to the office with his parents.
Micah’s parents were cool before take-your-kid-to-work day was popular. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness, Micah had three options for furthering his career: athletic trainer, medical doctor or chiropractor. The choice was easy.
“Chiropractor care had kept me healthy the first 24 years of my life,” he said. “I grew up identifying health from the inside out, not the outside in.”
Not eschewing traditional medicine, he explained medications weren’t always the first line of care in his family, when other options might also be effective.
Like many families, the Montgomery men bonded over sports, and it was Friday night lights for this family. Larry Montgomery played on the Belton High School football team, and years later, Micah took to that same gridiron as a Belton Tiger, while also excelling in soccer. Later, while playing freshman football for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, an ankle injury ended Micah’s football gig, so after transferring to John Brown University, he returned to the soccer field.
Upon returning to his hometown after chiropractic school, the young doctor took over the clinic from his dad in 2017. His dad worked for Micah for two months before retiring from the profession. When asked how that arrangement worked out as far as any challenging moments, Micah joked his dad might complain about the pay.
“It was a good collaboration, and he was a good mentor,” he explained. “He’s a great source of information, and I know his answer will be ethical, moral, and legal.”
Larry Montgomery now consults for the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners and teaches continuing education hours for chiropractors. He is also a past president of the state chiropractic association. Meanwhile, Priscilla remains at Montgomery Chiropractic as the office manager and the one who keeps things running like a well-oiled machine.
One day Lake Belton was calling Micah’s name for some wake surfing action. A small problem was, neither he nor his family had a boat, but he remembered an attractive athletic girl he’d met through friends, years back, whose family had a boat. By this time, he and the pretty girl, Whitney, had renewed their friendship. Whitney became a registered nurse after graduating from Texas State University while Micah was establishing his chiropractic career. Afternoons of sun and surf set the scene for romance to blossom, and in September the happy couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary.
Whitney dedicated the first nine years of her career “to the mothers and babies of Central Texas,” she said. Sometimes, nurses’ work schedules clash with family evening activities and responsibilities, and Whitney found this to be true in her own family.
“As Micah and I started our own family, I started to realize the importance of being able to spend time with my family,” she said.
Tired of missing too many Christmas mornings, family sporting events, and more, Whitney left hospital nursing to become a school nurse in the Temple Independent School District. Daughter Addison, now 8, and son Rowan, now 6, loved going to the same school in which their mom worked, and the sentiment was the same for Whitney.
During the pandemic, Whitney said the opportunity arose for her to open Blissfusion Belton, a concept she described as a unique blend of spa, wellness and beauty treatments. The concept dovetailed nicely with her and Micah’s emphasis on healthy living, so she began her services within Montgomery Chiropractic.
She explained that after baseline blood work levels are established on a patient, treatments such as IV infusions and vitamin injections are administered by licensed medical personnel. Someone who enjoyed a party the night before might benefit from an IV infusion to replenish lost fluids. Various infusions and vitamin injections are available to help achieve and maintain good health, such a vitamin C boost just in time for winter.
For those who are needle-shy, Whitney said, “We are not like the hospital, as we use smaller needles, and we offer comfy blankets and warm neck wraps.”
They’ve recently started offering a weight loss program with semaglutide and tirzepatide. Whitney said her future goal is to offer an even broader range of services to serve Central Texans.
The Montgomery clan emphasizes the importance of teamwork both in the office and in the home. Micah might assist in patient care with the newest team member, Dr. Rafael Salas, or work in conjunction with the office acupuncturist William Blakely. Massage therapist Jessica Gargagliano helps relieve muscle tension, stress and more. Chiropractic assistant Talia stays busy working with the doctors helping with patient care.
“Without our staff, our office would just be an office,” Micah said. “Having good team members who love our patients is key.”
No doubt life can become hectic running two businesses and keeping up with kids’ football, soccer, and gymnastics schedules. Work-life balance has become a more popular topic, especially since COVID-19, as people have re-evaluated priorities. For the Montgomery family, their family is priority and then patient care.
“I try to keep a healthy balance of work and home,” Micah said. “It can be very difficult as I always want to be here for patients, as we’ve been charged to care for them and their health.”
“I think the biggest challenge is wanting to do it all,” Whitney added, “as I want to help as many people as possible.”
IF YOU GO
Montgomery Chiropractic
Address: 401 East 6th Avenue, Belton
Phone: 254-939-5801
Website: montgomerychiropractic.com
Social media: Facebook.com/montgomerychiropractic
Blissfusion Belton
Address: 401 East 6th Avenue, Belton
Phone: 254-677-9002
Website: blissfusionbelton.com
Social media: Facebook.com/BlissfusionBelton
