In April 2024, Jesse Politowski, DC (’13), MS (‘22) packed a portable chiropractic table, two suitcases and boarded a flight to Vietnam. His destination: Thanh Hoa City, a small but growing community three hours south of Hanoi. His mission: to bring modern chiropractic care to a country where the practice is still in its infancy.
“I worked in Southeast Asia for six years after graduating from Logan University,” Dr. Politowski said. “But during a trip back to the U.S., the pandemic hit. I always wanted to go back. I love it there, and it’s been my dream to start a practice.”
Vietnam, home to nearly 98 million people, has only about 15 licensed chiropractors, most concentrated in Ho Chi Minh City. Dr. Politowski saw an opportunity to serve a population largely unfamiliar with chiropractic care—and to build something from the ground up.
Building a Clinic from Scratch
With a background in business administration and marketing, and more than a decade of clinical experience—including time at Logan Health Centers—Dr. Politowski was ready to do more than treat patients. He was prepared to educate, lead and grow a business.
He began working under a Vietnamese traditional therapy doctor – alongside three physiotherapists – sharing patients and learning the intricacies of Vietnam’s healthcare system. “Any traditional healthcare provider here goes through medical school with training in traditional medicine, acupuncture, herbs, and soft tissue work,” he explained. “It’s a holistic model, and I’ve learned so much from it.”
By August 2025, Dr. Politowski received his license to practice chiropractic in Vietnam—the first in Thanh Hoa. His clinic, now considered the most modern in town, offers advanced equipment and techniques previously unseen in the area. But with innovation comes challenge: “The population isn’t used to spending money on healthcare,” he said. “We’re the best, but people are still afraid. We have to be patient.”
Earning Trust, One Adjustment at a Time
Word-of-mouth has been key to growth. Slowly, the clinic is attracting the right patients—older women seeking relief, and even children with foot and posture issues. In fact, Dr. Politowski has launched a foot rehabilitation program for kids with flat feet, using custom orthotics and strengthening exercises, and a scoliosis rehab program, with custom bracing and correctional exercises.
“We’re starting to change perceptions,” he said. “In a country where chiropractic is new, you face challenges you can’t anticipate. But we’re honest. If we can’t treat someone, we tell them where to go. That’s part of our reputation. And people are starting to recognize that.”
The clinic now has a team of eight, including Jesse’s wife, Quynh Nguyen Politowski, as well as a translator, whose cultural fluency has been invaluable. “Respect across generations and cultures is critical,” he said. “We talk about the ‘why’ behind everything we do. That builds trust—with our staff and our patients.”
A Vision for the Future
As Dr. Politowski continues to push the practice forward, he remains positive about the future. He’s connected with other chiropractors across Vietnam, referring patients and sharing knowledge; he’s collaborating with the city’s top physiotherapists to integrate modalities like soft tissue therapy and rehab exercise; and he is utilizing his Master of Science in Sports Science & Rehabilitation to train his own physiotherapists, and believes they have become the top physiotherapists in the city.
Dr. Politowski has also stayed connected to his colleagues back home, like Logan Assistant Professor Devon Ackroyd, DC, MS (’19), DACBSP®, Cert. MDT, whom he regularly chats with and even serves as a guest speaker for Dr. Ackroyd’s classes. “It’s a full-circle moment,” he said. “Logan gave me the foundation. Now I’m building something that’s bigger than me – a chance to change how people view healthcare in Vietnam.”