Meet our team
Three Doctors. One Family. Fifty Years of Care.
Calisesi Chiropractic has been a Fort Dodge institution since 1976 — built by Dr. John Calisesi and carried forward by the next generation with the same dedication to whole-family wellness.
Our team
Meet the Doctors
Dr. John Calisesi, D.C.
Founder
Dr. John Calisesi, D.C.
Founder
Born and raised in Fort Dodge, Dr. John Calisesi was inspired to enter chiropractic after an adjustment resolved his childhood migraines. A 1974 Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate, he returned home to establish Calisesi Chiropractic Clinic in 1976, opening its permanent location alongside his wife, Elisabeth, in 1982.
Dr. Calisesi has dedicated his career to advanced clinical study, completing three-year post-graduate programs in both Chiropractic Orthopedics and Chiropractic Neurology. He completed 200 hours of training in Traditional Chinese Medicine and traveled across China in 1999 to study acupuncture, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong in clinical hospital settings.
Appointed by Governor Thomas Vilsack to the Iowa Board of Chiropractic in 2006, Dr. Calisesi served three terms, concluding his tenure as Board Chairman. He is a past Chairman of the Trinity Health Foundation Board, a 30-year jogger, and a 1994 Iowa Bowling Hall of Fame inductee.
Dr. Carrie Jo Calisesi, D.C.
Pediatric & Perinatal Chiropractor
Dr. Carrie Jo Calisesi, D.C.
Pediatric & Perinatal Chiropractor
A Fort Dodge native, Saint Edmond alumna, and Central College graduate, Dr. Carrie Jo returned home after graduating as salutatorian from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She pairs her clinical background in sports rehabilitation with advanced perinatal expertise to provide gentle, comprehensive wellness care for the whole family.
Dr. Carrie Jo specializes in pediatric and prenatal care, holding a 200-hour Certification from the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (CACCP) alongside Webster Technique certification to support pelvic balance throughout pregnancy. She has also completed over 100 hours of post-graduate study in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture through Northwestern Health Sciences University.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Carrie Jo stays active with running, weightlifting, reading, and crossword puzzles, and loves cooking with fresh ingredients from local farmers markets. At home, she and Dr. Brady are busy parents to three children, spending most of their free time cheering from the sidelines at soccer, baseball, gymnastics, and community activities.
Dr. Brady Pearson, D.C.
Chiropractor
Dr. Brady Pearson, D.C.
Chiropractor
Dr. Brady Pearson graduated as valedictorian from Palmer College of Chiropractic, where he completed a specialized internship in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation. A North Dakota native and Concordia College alumnus, Dr. Pearson combines evidence-based chiropractic adjustments with advanced soft-tissue and supportive therapies.
He holds full-body certification in Active Release Techniques (ART) — the gold standard in soft-tissue treatment — and has extensive training in dry needling alongside clinical acupuncture. He integrates these targeted therapies to treat migraines, chronic pain syndromes, and severe spinal conditions, with a special focus on non-surgical disc management. Additionally, Dr. Pearson is a Certified Medical Examiner on the FMCSA National Registry.
Dr. Pearson actively practices the wellness and performance principles he shares with his patients. A competitive endurance athlete, he is a marathon runner, a two-time Ironman 70.3 finisher, and an avid cyclist and golfer, dedicated to helping patients resolve pain, restore function, and achieve lasting health.
Our philosophy
Whole-Person Care, Every Time
We treat the whole person — not just the complaint. Every visit begins with listening, because understanding your life, your goals, and your history is the foundation of effective care. We combine time-tested chiropractic techniques with modern clinical knowledge to create treatment plans that are as unique as you are.
01
Listen First
Every great outcome starts with truly understanding the patient — their pain, their goals, and their life.
02
Treat the Root
We look beyond symptoms to find and address the underlying cause, creating lasting relief rather than temporary fixes.
03
Empower Patients
We educate and equip every patient with the knowledge and tools to maintain their health between visits.
Our story
Rooted in Fort Dodge, Dedicated to You
Calisesi Chiropractic is a hometown practice with a personal mission. Dr. John Calisesi opened the clinic in 1976 after returning to the community that raised him — and the practice has grown ever since, welcoming Dr. Carrie Jo and Dr. Brady to carry that mission forward.
Today, the practice reflects that commitment: a welcoming, family-centered clinic where newborns, expecting mothers, children, athletes, and adults all receive the same attentive, individualized care. We are proud to serve the community that shaped us.
Ready to Start Your Wellness Journey?
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