Amid criminal investigation, Iowa chiropractor surrenders his license

An eastern Iowa chiropractor accused of initiating “nonconsensual” sexual contact with patients has agreed to voluntarily surrender his license.

The agreement, dated Oct. 14 and published by the state Tuesday, comes 15 weeks after police executed a search warrant at the chiropractor’s clinic in Camanche.

The Iowa Board of Chiropractic recently charged Gary Parsons, an Iowa-licensed chiropractor since January 1974, with engaging in professional incompetence and engaging in improper sexual contact with a patient.

According to the board, Parsons provided chiropractic services for a particular female patient sometime in 2023 and 2024, and the patient now asserts Parsons, during their initial appointment, initiated what the board describes as “nonconsensual, inappropriate sexual contact.”

Specifically, the board alleges, the patient claims Parsons massaged her uncovered breasts and that he made what the board describes as “inappropriate comments.” According to the board, the patient also alleges that during one appointment, Parsons took a photo of her uncovered backside without her consent and later shared the photo with her.

Board records indicate the patient also alleged that her son was seen by Parsons and that Parsons engaged in “nonconsensual, inappropriate contact” with her son. The board has disclosed no information as to the age of the son or whether the “contact” was sexual in nature.

The female patient also claims Parsons sent her text messages about “non-chiropractic care matters,” the board alleges.

In September 2025, the board alleges, Parsons provided chiropractic services to another patient who claims Parsons made inappropriate, nonconsensual sexual contact with him or her.

According to the board, Parsons has admitted no wrongdoing or guilt but has not contested the disciplinary charges against him. While affirming that no criminal charges have been imposed in the case, Parsons has entered into a settlement with the board, agreeing to voluntarily surrender his license with the understanding that he can apply for reinstatement after one year.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch was not able to reach Parsons for comment. State records indicate he has worked at the Camanche Chiropractic Center since 1974. His son, Mark, who continues to work at the clinic as a chiropractor, declined on behalf of the clinic and his father to comment Tuesday on the licensing board’s actions.

In late June, the Camanche Police Department posted a press release to Facebook indicating that its officers, along with representatives of the Clinton Police Department, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Public Safety, and the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, had served a search warrant at the Camanche Chiropractic Center.

“Because the investigation is active and ongoing,” the news release stated, “specific information regarding the details of the investigation cannot be released at this time.”