Meet the Team
Meet the Vita Chiropractic Team!
Dr. Zach and Meagan Nelson first had the idea to open Vita Chiropractic while Dr. Zach was in Chiropractic School at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Overland Park, KS. When Dr. Zach and Meagan first moved to the area, they immediately fell in love with the Kansas City metro, and there was no doubt that it would end up being the home for Vita. Dr. Zach and Meagan have spent the last couple of years gaining experience and knowledge in preparation for Vita Chiropractic, and are thrilled to finally be able to provide care and serve the community!
Dr. Zach Nelson
Neurologically Based Chiropractor
Dr. Zach was born and raised in Manhattan, KS. Growing up he was very active in sports, playing baseball, basketball, and football. He later went on to play college basketball at Cowley County Community College and then Friends University in Wichita, KS. His first experience with chiropractors started in middle school for frequent headaches, low back pain, and bouts of shortness of breath and asthma.
Later, when Dr. Zach was in college he had debilitating low back pain and sciatic nerve pain which prevented him from doing any form of practice or workouts. He was told that it should go away on its own if he stopped working out and took ibuprofen. Unfortunately, it did not go away, so he decided to see a chiropractor. Under care, his low back pain, and sciatic nerve pain resolved which allowed him to participate in workouts, and practices again, and his team went on to have the best season recorded in school history!
These visits peaked his interest in the profession, but he still was never explained how the adjustment affected his body. It wasn’t until Dr. Zach was in Pre-Physician Assistant undergrad program at Wichita State that a chiropractor came to speak about the importance of spinal health, the intimate relationship it holds with the nervous system and how that pertains to health and wellness. After that class Dr. Zach immediately called his family, told them that he wanted to become a Chiropractor. Later, Dr. Zach graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cleveland Chiropractic College, where he also won the Clinical Excellence award for the care he provided in the Outpatient Center.
Dr. Zach specializes in Neurologically-based Chiropractic care. He holds Advance Certified Proficient in Torque Release Technique credential; which is a gentle, specific, results-driven technique. He also holds Webster Technique certification, which is specific for pregnant women. He is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, and specializes in providing care for pediatric patients!
Dr. Zach is thrilled to open his own practice and have the ability to provide life-changing care and information to the community. He believes it is a huge disservice to anyone who does not know why they should get adjusted, or how it affects the body. He is very passionate about Chiropractic care and loves serving his community.
Dr. Maustin Otterstatter
Neurologically Based Chiropractor
Dr. Maustin was born in Carthage, New York and did some traveling as a young kid through New York and Panama, before settling and growing up in Manhattan, KS. He then moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin with his family before high school. He always knew that he wanted to come back down to Kansas if able to. In highschool he played multiple sports before going on and playing college baseball at Washburn University. Hewas here for four and a half years before starting, and finishing chiropractic school at Cleveland University-Kansas City.
His first experience of chiropractic care was when he was a young boy, about 7 years old. He has a brother who played sports as well, and one of his teammates’ dads was a chiropractor. He always remembers thedad bringing his portable table along to tournaments to adjust the players or parents at the end of a long day. It was then that Dr. Maustin became infatuated with the idea of chiropractic and helping others through this healing journey.It wasn’t until later on in high school that Dr. Maustin really understood the healing effects of chiropractic care.
While he was playing football, basketball and baseball in high school, his body was really taking a beating. During baseball he started to have some right hip pain and elbow pain that would come and go, but as a pitcher, it would get worse after every time throwing. He would take a lot of ibuprofen before every time going out to pitch to help with the hip and elbow pain, but it never really helped the pain go away, it would just cover it up or dull it out for a short while.
He then found a chiropractor in Wisconsin that he started going to regularly. While going to see him, the pain in both the hip and elbow started to go away and this allowed him to pitch when needed and he was not depending on ibuprofen anymore.
Dr. Maustin is incredibly excited to come back to Kansas and provide care to people of all ages and occupations. He loves to explain what chiropractic care is, especially to people who may not know anything about the profession. It does miraculous things to the body and can change peoples lives in ways they never imagined.
Meagan Nelson
Office Manager
Meagan was born in Jacksonville, Fl and was raised in Wichita, KS. She and her family moved to Kansas once her dad retired from the Navy. Growing up she was very active in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and water sports. She later on went to play soccer in college at Tabor College and Friends University, which is where she met Dr. Zach!
In undergrad Meagan studied biology and learned about anatomy, physiology and the human body. When Dr. Zach first started attending classes in chiropractic school, it really peaked her interest because she always loved learning about human anatomy, physiology, and brain health in school. Growing up active and healthy, Meagan never had any prior experience with chiropractic and thought it was only for those who experienced headaches, neck pain, or back pain. After learning more about the benefits of chiropractic care while Dr. Zach was in school, she learned that she needed to start care in order for her to be optimally healthy.
When Dr. Zach mentioned the idea of opening a chiropractic office, Meagan was eager to get started on it! She is beyond excited to share the benefits of Chiropractic care and bring family-centered, neurologically-based chiropractic care to the surrounding Merriam, KS communities through Vita Chiropractic.
Cassie
Head of office operations
Cassie was born and raised in Lenexa, KS. She and her 3 younger brothers grew up playing many different sports. She has played soccer since kindergarten and had the opportunity to play one year at JCCC. Other sports she was involved in into high school were basketball, tennis, cross country, and track.
In middle school and high school, Cassie always enjoyed her science classes. The performance, complexity and beauty of how God designed the body to function so intricately always amazed her. Furthermore, her enjoyment of playing sports and pursuing a lifestyle that was active and healthy eventually led her to pursue a degree in Kinesiology. She first attended JCCC in Overland Park, KS for her first two years and transferred to The Masters University in Santa Clarita, CA for her last two years graduating with her Bachelors in Kinesiology.
Cassie had no experience with chiropractic care before joining the Vita team. She thought chiropractic was only for those who experienced neck or back pain and go in on a “when needed” basis to get “cracked”. The thought of that scared her so she never went. Playing soccer for 15+ years and kicking with her dominant foot for that long led to a shift in her hips and a curve in her low back. This led to a lot of low back pain and digestive issues for many years.
Learning that neurologically-based care focuses specifically on the nervous system, her whole perspective on chiropractic care changed and realizes that everyone needs it to help restore healing potential to their body. Because of this type of approach to health, she is now able to stand and sit for longer periods of time without feeling restless, continual low back pain and her digestion is much better!
Cassie’s desire at Vita is to first meet others where they’re at and then help them along their healing journey to reach all their health goals. Seeing them achieve these goals and share with others about their commitment to health and wellness is the real reward and brings her so much joy. She is excited for the hope and healing that is to come at Vita serving those in the Kansas City area!
Molly
Chiropractic Assistant
Molly grew up in a small town in western Kansas. She attended Kansas State University studying Human Development and Family Science and Conflict Analysis and Trauma. Molly has always had a heart for people and helping others overcome barriers to allow them to live a life to the full. This passion took her overseas after college to work for a ministry in New Zealand where she helped young adults understand who God is and the fullness of life He offers.
At Vita, Molly is able to continue helping others live a full life by overcoming pain and other health issues so that they can best serve their bigger purpose! Molly had many misconceptions about chiropractic care at first, however gaining an understanding of the neurological based approach changed her mind. She was fascinated to see the many different ways people could experience long lasting healing by getting to the root cause of the problem, the nervous system, verses just a temporary “bandaid” approach.
Molly has experienced the body’s parasympathetic response to adjustments (feeling more relaxed, rested, and calm) and has also seen improvements with immune function and headaches!
Molly loves seeing the healing and life transformation that happens at Vita on a daily basis and enjoys building relationships with all the practice members! She is excited to be a part of the positive culture at Vita and help continue to extend that to the community.
Arlo
Assistant People lover, office mascot
Arlo is easily the most popular member of the Vita team. He is an English bulldog and loves coming to work each day. Arlo enjoys laying in the hallway and adjusting rooms and watching his dad, Dr. Zach, adjust our practice members. If you are lucky, he may enter your adjusting room and give you a kiss on your hand while you relax before your adjustment.
You can find Arlo sunbathing in the reception room, sleeping in the back office, or playing down the hallway. If Arlo brings you a toy to play, you should consider yourself one of the lucky chosen ones! A few of his favorite things include snacks, stuffed toys, and scratches (he is NOT afraid to show you where his favorite spots are).
Make sure to say hi to Arlo whenever you come in for your adjustments or evaluations and he is sure to make your day!
Easton
Smallest chiropractor in training
Easton is a chiro baby and is Meagan and Dr. Zach’s son. Easton received his first gentle & specific pediatric adjustment from his dad within his first 24 hours of life! His mom, Meagan, was adjusted using both Torque Release Technique and the Webster Technique before and during her whole pregnancy which led to the smooth arrival of Easton.
Easton made his way into the world quickly and smoothly at home with the assistance of our midwives and dad. A few of his favorite things include: His mom and dad, his swing, and his 3 dogs.
