Northeast Alumnus: Third Generation Chiropractor, Dedicated to Compassionately Caring for Virginia Residents of Tuck Chiropractic

When Dr. Nathaniel Ray Tuck III (D.C. ’24) returned to his home state of Virginia after receiving his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northeast College of Health Sciences in November 2024, he wasn't worried about finding patients. In fact, the new doctor was headed for the very well-established practice he has many fond memories of – Tuck Chiropractic.

Tuck Family Chiropractic Legacy

Founded in 1979 as one clinic by Nathaniel’s grandfather, Dr. Nathan Tuck, Tuck Chiropractic was later owned and operated by Nathaniel’s father Dr. Ray Tuck, who grew it to 11 locations across Virgina. 

Ray Tuck worked tirelessly as a champion for chiropractic, even being appointed to the Virginia Board of Medicine by the state’s governor and chosen as a president of the American Chiropractic Association. Tuck was also the past president of the Virginia Chiropractic Association (VCA) and the Virginia Society of Chiropractic (VSC) and practiced at the Tuck family practice until his untimely death in February of 2024.

Coming from a family with a three-generation dedication to chiropractic care shaped Tuck's life in profound ways.  "I have been exposed to the beauty of chiropractic quite literally my whole life," says Tuck. "Growing up in a chiropractic family, I developed a strong sense of giving back to the community from an early age. However, the true legacy of our family isn’t just in the line of chiropractors, it’s in the nearly five decades of chiropractic care provided to the local Southwest Virginia communities.

Youngest Tuck Chiropractor Eager to Serve Family Community

Currently, Tuck Chiropractic operates out of 9 locations in the Roanoke, New River Valley, and Central and Southwest Virginia regions. It employs a dozen chiropractors—more than half of them graduates from Northeast College—to provide healing treatments for pain and illness for area residents to improve their overall quality of life.

"Growing up in an environment where service was a core value, I learned that providing high-quality care isn’t just the right thing to do, it was an opportunity to make a meaningful impact," Tuck says about his family's practice. "Whether through chiropractic care or community outreach, I saw how dedicated service can improve lives and build trust.”

Tuck Family Legacy of Excellence Carries On, Compassionately

While he is now eager to carry this dedication to service through healthcare and community service, Tuck did not initially have that goal. It was not until he began working at his family's clinic at the age of 18 that he saw first-hand how chiropractic care could change a life. 

"The moment that truly changed my perspective on what it means to be a chiropractor involved a frequent patient, who had been struggling with a variety of challenges that were causing her significant mental and emotional stress," says Tuck. "One day, as she sat on the adjustment table and began to cry. I watched as the chiropractor knelt down to her level and wiped away her tears. At that moment I realized chiropractic is more than just the adjustment, it’s about the genuine connections you build with patients and the lasting impact you can make in their lives and in our communities.”

The College also extends its support out to other Virginia residents interested in helping others, and becoming a future leader in healthcare with the establishment of its scholarship in honor of Dr. Ray Tuck and his legacy.

His son, Dr. Nathaniel Tuck (D.C. ’24, BPS ’22) said the scholarship “is a unique opportunity to jumpstart their chiropractic education while also making a long-term impact on the health and well-being of our local Virginia communities. It's an incredible opportunity to not only pursue one’s educational goals but to help contribute to high-quality chiropractic care in our communities for years to come.”