A Story That Started With His Own Body
Long before he was the one giving adjustments, Dr. Mark Howarter was a kid who couldn't catch a break. Raised in Garnett, Kansas, he grew up with psoriasis — painful patches on his knees, elbows, and scalp — plus allergies and hay fever so bad by junior high that handfuls of medication left him drowsy and struggling to keep up in school and sports. He just figured that was his life.
Everything changed at 19. While attending Emporia State University, a summer job at a manufacturing business left him with real back pain — bad enough that he finally saw a chiropractor for the first time, looking for nothing more than relief for his back.
That first adjustment changed everything. Within days, his allergies eased and his skin cleared up — and both disappeared entirely. He hasn't taken a single allergy medication since. That was over 30 years ago.
He was so convinced by what had happened to his own body that he called his college advisor the very next day to change his course of study — walking away from business management to enroll at Cleveland Chiropractic College, where he graduated Cum Laude. Every body and every story is different, but for him, it was undeniable enough to redirect his entire life in a single day.
Founding The Chiropractic Experience
In 1999, Dr. Howarter founded The Chiropractic Experience in Lawrence, Kansas, built on the same conviction his own body had taught him: that the body has a remarkable capacity to heal once the nervous system is free to function as it was designed to. More than 25 years later, that conviction still drives the practice.
A Leader in Motion-Assisted Chiropractic Technique
Dr. Howarter relied on a Leander table early in his practice, and that relationship grew into his current role as Chiropractic Consultant for Leander, LLC, collaborating on the development of their flexion-distraction tables — including the Leander 950 he uses today. This gentle, motion-based technique allows him to treat conditions like herniated discs and spinal stenosis with less force and greater comfort.
His expertise has taken him beyond his own clinic, representing Leander at THE NATIONAL by the Florida Chiropractic Association and Parker Seminars in Las Vegas, and at chiropractic universities including Cleveland University, Logan University, and Palmer College of Chiropractic. He's also certified through The Academy of Shockwave Excellence.
Why He Believes What He Believes
Nobody adjusted his spine to fix his skin or his allergies — they adjusted it to fix his back. What he learned, in his own body, is that when interference is removed and the nervous system is free, the body can do things you wouldn't expect. That conviction is the foundation of everything The Chiropractic Experience does today.
Family, Faith, and Lawrence
Dr. Howarter is also just a husband and a dad. His wife, Stephani, and their daughters, Emily and Lydia, are part of why he understands why a parent in this community wants their child to grow up without the limitations he grew up with.
Faith has shaped this practice from day one. Dr. Howarter holds a Master's Degree in Ministry and Pastoral Leadership, and that calling shows up in how he treats every patient — sometimes through a quiet prayer, sometimes just by truly listening. He's also active in his local church's men's ministry, finding the same sense of purpose in discipling other men that he brings to patient care.
When he's not in the office, you'll likely find Dr. Howarter outdoors — bowhunting, fishing, or hiking are where he recharges, and that same love of an active, healthy lifestyle is exactly what he hopes for every patient who walks through his doors. He's ICPA-certified in pediatric chiropractic care and Webster Technique certified for prenatal care, because every member of this community, from newborn to grandparent, deserves access to the kind of care that changed his own life.
Dr. Howarter isn't just here to adjust your spine. He's here because he knows, firsthand, what it feels like when your body finally gets the chance to do what it was made to do.
Michelle Beard
Office Manager
Having joined the practice some years ago, Michelle has become an integral part of the team, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Born and raised in Lawrence, Michelle’s roots are firmly planted in this town since her parents moved here when she was just in second grade. Her educational background led her down a different path initially, as she delved into various aspects of accounting during phase one of her adult life. However, phase two allowed her the privilege of staying home to raise her two children, during which time she found joy in caring for other people’s babies for nearly fifteen years.
Now, in phase three of her life, Michelle has rediscovered her passion while working alongside Dr. Mark in the chiropractic practice. Her love for her role is evident every day, as she takes pleasure in knowing she has the opportunity to bring happiness and relief to those who walk through their doors. Michelle believes that their practice is not just about adjusting physical pain but also about providing emotional support and spiritual upliftment to their patients. She’s a firm believer in the power of small gestures, whether it’s a smile, a comforting hug, lending a listening ear, or keeping the little ones entertained so parents can fully enjoy their time with Dr. Mark.
Outside of her fulfilling career, Michelle boasts a 37-year-long marriage and two grown children. When she’s not at the office, she can be found indulging in her hobbies, including crocheting, getting lost in the pages of a good book, or embarking on shopping adventures. Michelle’s commitment to her work and her warm, caring nature make her an indispensable part of the Chiropractic Practice team, both inside and outside the office.
Whitney Rothwell
Shockwave Therapist
With her extensive background as a licensed massage therapy and with her great knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, Whitney was originally hired a technical assistant for the doctor, but quickly elevated into her role as a specialist in Shockwave Therapy.
Born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas, she is a proud Free State High School graduate and the youngest of four girls. Her journey began on the Softball field, where she competed at Free State High School and onto Highland Community College until a shoulder injury ended her fast pitch career. But that didn’t stop her—she still travels and competes at a high level playing slow pitch softball.
Off the field, with her deep understanding of the body, enhanced by years of chiropractic care and additional certifications in Shockwave Therapy through the Academy of Shockwave Excellence she combines hands-on therapy with targeted technology to help people recover, move better, and feel their best.
So whether she is coaching athletes, relieving pain, or helping people regain mobility, her mission is simple: to use her skills and passion to make a real difference in peoples lives.