Dr. Kurt Ver Helst
Dr. Kurt Ver Helst grew up in Pella, Iowa. His father is Leland and was an Iowa State Trooper. His mother Norma was a stay-at-home mother. Dr. Kurt has 2 younger brothers, Rick and Ross. His brother Rick is two years younger and is a Doctor of Psychology in Bradenton, Florida. His brother Ross is eight years younger and is an insurance adjuster in Pella.

Kurt is married and has six children. His wife Jill is a stay-at-home mother and substitutes throughout the Ames public schools. His oldest daughter is Hannah. She is in eighth grade and is very involved with basketball and the Iowa Attack team. His only son is Bryce. He is also in eight grade and is involved in football and basketball. His daughter Alyx is in seventh grade and is involved with track and cross-country. Daughter Janae is in sixth grade and active with basketball and cross-country. Daughter Audra is a fourth grader involved with basketball and softball. Jill and Kurt's baby girl Mari Beth is in kindergarten and plays soccer. With all these children, the Ver Helst's are quite busy but family is very important to them. Dr. Kurt's hobbies are baseball, basketball and being a basketball dad as well as watching NASCAR. He also enjoys gourmet cooking.

Dr. Kurt's passion for becoming a doctor of chiropractic came when he was a sophomore and had injured his back playing baseball. His mother sent him to a chiropractor who was able to help Kurt's back. Through his treatment, he noticed his batting average increased as well as his overall being. He was completely impressed with all this doctor was able to do that he wanted to have the ability to naturally help people with his HANDS!! And that is how Dr. Kurt Ver Helst found his calling.

Dr. Kurt received his education from Pella Community High School following his undergraduate study at Central University of Iowa. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport.

Dr. Kurt's personal mission is to be an obedient servant leader of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will accomplish this by:

1st-caring for others by always putting their needs first.
2nd-being authentic with his emotions to build real and strong relationships
3rd-living life completely, honestly and passionately.

All this wrapped up with personal humility, knowing that life is a learning process, and having the ability to be flexible will be essential to continual change.

Dr. Kurt would like to leave you with this final thought: "Live life like it matters…and IT WILL!!"

Our Staff

Renee Van Marel - Insurance
Renee grew up in Forest City, IA. She moved to Ames in the 1980's. She is married to Ross Van Marel and has two children, Rylie and Reid. They have one dog, Rosie, two cats, Amanda and Patches, and an ex-science experiment mouse. Her children have housed many fish, a tree frog that was a stowaway from a trip to Alabama and many other assorted creatures through the years. Her hobbies are spending time with her children and her family.

Renee started seeing Dr. Ver Helst in 1992 for sciatic pain, allergies and sinus problems. Since seeking chiropractic care she has almost completely eliminated her sinus, allergy and sciatic problems. Her entire family now receives chiropractic care.

Renee has been working with Ver Helst Chiropractic since 1999. She currently works with our insurance carriers for those who have insurance. She also works out payment plans for those that request assistance.

Renee would like to leave you with this final thought: "Chiropractic care has helped me so much. Just the relief I get during the allergy seasons is enough to keep me regular with adjustments. I would recommend chiropractic care to anyone and everyone with sinus and allergy problems."

Terry Anderson - Office Manager
Terry grew up in central Iowa in Lanyon, IA. She currently lives in Boone. She has two girls, Heather and Deb, and one boy, Barry. She has one granddaughter. She enjoys working outdoors and creating a beautiful landscape in her spacious yard.

Terri started seeing Dr. Ver Helst for lower back pain in 2002. She had been to medical doctors who had given her shots for her pain. Those shots worked for a brief time but that was not something she wanted to have done the rest of her life. Her doctors suggested surgery. She saw Dr. Ver Helst and her pain has been controlled. She swears by chiropractic care now and will always use that for pain relief.

Terri has been working with Ver Helst Chiropractic since 2004. She is currently the office manager. She is the main receptionist who is responsible for making appointments. She also is responsible for ordering vitamins and other nutrients for all of our patients. She tries to make your time here as pleasant and as quick as possible.

Terri would like to leave you on this final thought: "If I would have known then what I know now, my family would have had chiropractic care as babies and small children."


Lindsay Wagner - Massage Therapist
Lindsay grew up in eastern Iowa in Epworth. She currently lives in Ames. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She went on to massage therapy schooling at Professional Cosmetology Institute (now know as Salon Professional Academy) in January 2005. She has been a licensed massage therapist since April 2005. Her family still lives in Epworth and surrounding areas. Her hobbies include going home and being with family, cheering on ISU sports teams, and hanging out with friends.

Lindsay started her chiropractic care in 2005 with complaints of headaches and lower back pain. Since receiving care from Dr. Ver Helst, she has also had relief in her allergies and sinuses.

Lindsay joined the Ver Helst Chiropractic team in 2005 as the massage therapist and back office staff member. She processes x-rays and helps Terri and Renee when need be. Her services include Swedish and Deep tissue massage, Hot Stone Therapy and Ear Candling. She is always willing to learn new therapies and techniques.

Lindsay would like to leave you with this thought: "Like many of you, I was very skeptical about chiropractic care. After Dr. Kurt explained to me what was going on with my back and how adjustments may help my nervous system, I was sold. When I have a family of my own, they will be involved in chiropractic for life."