Dr. Tom Niemela

Owner | Doctor of Chiropractic

Dr. Tom has called Northwest Arkansas home for over a decade, arriving just days after graduating chiropractic school with a clear mission: to open Arbor Vitae Chiropractic and offer the NWA community a place of hope and healing as soon as possible. In the beginning, it was just Dr. Tom and his wife serving patients in a humble 1,400-square-foot office. In those early years, the practice looked much different than it does today—patients often waited on the hoods of their cars because the waiting room had run out of chairs, all to experience the life-changing care inside Arbor Vitae Chiropractic.

That dedication quickly drew attention throughout the community. In 2019, Dr. Tom was honored with both Small Business of the Year and Small Business Owner Under 30 by the Greater Bentonville Chamber. As Arbor Vitae grew, so did his influence in the chiropractic profession. Dr. Tom was recruited by chiropractic coaching organizations to teach students and new graduates how to open and run successful practices that transform the health of communities nationwide. Many evenings were spent teaching webinars after clinic hours, followed by weekends traveling to chiropractic schools to share his experiences and mentor future doctors.

Originally from the East coast, Dr. Tom completed his undergraduate education in Exercise & Sports Science at Coastal Carolina University before graduating Magna Cum Laude from Logan College of Chiropractic. During his time at Logan, he discovered a deep passion for serving children and families. One of his earliest and most impactful patient transformation stories involved a young boy who had been recommended for tonsil and adenoid removal. Through consistent chiropractic care in the student clinic, the child experienced a reduction in adenoid size, then stopped snoring, had improved airway function, and ultimately avoided an unnecessary surgery. This experience further fueled Dr. Tom’s commitment to pediatric care, leading him to pursue advanced training, seminars, and earn his PX certification to better serve children.

In 2025, Dr. Tom and his wife welcomed their identical twins, Noel and Nora, at just 28 weeks gestation due to Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. Their family spent 100 days in the NICU, where the twins learned how to breathe, eat, and grow outside the womb. As soon as he was able, Dr. Tom began gently adjusting them—when they were still under three pounds. Since their discharge, Noel and Nora have required no follow-up specialty care and have met or exceeded all developmental milestones, an outcome that is extremely rare for babies born so early with such low birth weights. This experience profoundly deepened Dr. Tom’s empathy for parents and strengthened his commitment to caring for the most vulnerable families.

Dr. Tom is deeply grateful for the trust placed in him by the community, including many families who travel from across the tri-state area to receive care at Arbor Vitae Chiropractic. As a father, he understands how overwhelming it can feel to entrust your child’s health to a doctor, which is why he is committed to training exceptional doctors and staff who share his heart for excellence, compassion, and life-changing care in Northwest Arkansas.

Dr. Tom and his family are active members of Reformation Baptist Church, where their faith continues to guide both his personal life and professional mission. When he’s not in the office, you’ll most likely find him spending time with his family—exploring the trails at Coler, golfing in Bella Vista, playing with his kids, and planning the next family vacation. He also makes time to workout at a local CrossFit gym. At the core of Dr. Tom’s work is a love for God, a devotion to family, and a belief in the body’s God-given ability to heal, and he is honored to walk alongside the families of Northwest Arkansas on their journey toward hope and healing.