Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Khayla Williams.
Hi Dr. Khayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always known I wanted to be a doctor, but I also knew that the traditional hospital setting wasn’t for me. As a kid, I was fascinated by braces for some reason, despite the fact that I never needed them, and thought for years that I would become a dentist. Throughout undergrad at Baylor University, that was my plan—until the COVID lockdown forced me to slow down and truly reflect on what I was passionate about.
During that time, I became deeply invested in strength training and exercise, and I found myself constantly doing deep dives into the science behind movement and the human body. That’s when I had an epiphany—I wasn’t meant to be a dentist; I was meant to help people move and function at their best. With this newfound love for movement and rehabilitation, I shifted my career goals toward becoming a physical therapist.
About a year later, I planned to move back home to Houston and was searching for jobs while preparing to apply to physical therapy school. That job search didn’t go as planned, but in hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise. A family friend, who is a chiropractor, reached out to me and asked, “Why do you want to be a physical therapist?” I explained my passion for helping people move better and feel better, and he responded, “You know you can do all of that and more as a chiropractor?”
That conversation changed everything. He introduced me to my now alma mater, Texas Chiropractic College, and even offered to write me a recommendation letter if I decided to apply. After just one weekend of heavy research, I felt like God had placed this opportunity right in front of me. Within a week, I applied, received my acceptance letter a few weeks later, and two months after that, I was sitting in my first chiropractic school class.
Initially, I wasn’t planning to open Muse Chiropractic. But as I progressed through my education, I realized that the chiropractic field was already oversaturated with sports-based chiropractors, while the community that I know and love—artists, musicians, and creatives—was largely overlooked. I knew that if I wanted to fulfill my true purpose in the way I personally envisioned it, I had to take a leap of faith and create something of my own. That’s how Muse Chiropractic was born.
Now, as the owner of Muse Chiropractic, I get to combine my love for movement, rehabilitation, and holistic care while serving the creative community that shaped me. Having attended The High School for the Performing & Visual Arts and playing trombone with incredible musicians like Solange Knowles, I understand the unique physical demands artists and performers face. My mission with Muse Chiropractic is to provide specialized care that helps creatives, musicians, and performers feel and function at their best, allowing them to continue sharing their gifts with the world for years to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey through chiropractic school and into entrepreneurship has been filled with challenges, but each obstacle has shaped me into the person I am today.
Chiropractic school itself was demanding—not just academically, but mentally, emotionally, and financially. The coursework was intense, and balancing the heavy load while maintaining my own well-being was a struggle at times. Imposter syndrome crept in, making me question whether I was capable of handling it all. On top of that, navigating the financial strain of being a full-time student while also trying to plan for my future was overwhelming. Pursuing a doctorate is already challenging, but doing so while making sacrifices that many of my peers outside of school didn’t have to make sometimes made it feel even harder. There were moments when I had to miss out on life events, put personal goals on hold, and push through exhaustion just to stay on track. It was a season of growth, but also one of sacrifice.
On a more personal level, I faced hardships that made the journey even tougher. There were times when life outside of school felt just as, if not more, challenging than what I was facing in the classroom. Feeling the weight of uncertainty about the future and managing stress took a toll on me. But through it all, I leaned on my perseverance, my support system, and my belief that I was on the right path. Learning to prioritize my mental and physical health while still chasing my dreams was one of the biggest lessons I took from that time.
Despite these struggles, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge taught me resilience and gave me the confidence to take risks—like starting my own business right out of school. If anything, the hardships only strengthened my passion for what I do. They’ve given me a deeper understanding of the importance of health, self-care, and having a strong support system—lessons that I now pass on to my patients.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Muse Chiropractic is not your typical chiropractic practice—it’s a space dedicated to serving artists, musicians, and creatives. As both a musician and a chiropractor, I understand the physical demands that come with being a performer, from long rehearsals to repetitive strain injuries. My goal is to provide specialized care that helps creatives feel and function at their best so they can continue sharing their art with the world.
At Muse Chiropractic, I offer a range of services tailored to the unique needs of my patients, including chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, and laser therapy. Whether it’s a musician dealing with neck and shoulder tension, a dancer recovering from an injury, or a visual artist struggling with chronic back pain, I take a personalized approach to help each patient move and perform pain-free.
One of the biggest things that sets Muse Chiropractic apart is the quality and depth of care. Unlike many chiropractic offices where patients only spend a few minutes with the doctor before being passed off to assistants, I personally handle the full treatment session from start to finish. Every patient gets one-on-one attention, ensuring they receive the most effective, customized care for their needs.
I also take a full-body approach to treatment. While many providers focus only on the area of pain, I address the entire body because everything is connected. A patient may come in with wrist pain from playing an instrument, but if the issue is actually stemming from poor shoulder mobility or spinal misalignment, I make sure to treat the root cause—not just the symptom. This approach helps my patients experience lasting relief and improved function rather than just short-term fixes.
Another key part of my practice is patient education. I don’t just treat pain—I teach my patients how to take care of their bodies so they can rely on me less over time. I equip them with the knowledge, exercises, and self-care strategies they need to maintain their results, prevent future injuries, and continue performing at a high level. My goal is for my patients to feel empowered, not dependent on me for ongoing care.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Muse Chiropractic is becoming a go-to resource for artists and performers in Houston. My vision is to build strong partnerships with local arts organizations, theaters, music venues, and dance companies, making high-quality chiropractic care more accessible to creatives who need it. I also love that Muse Chiropractic is breaking the mold of what people expect from chiropractic care by making it more relatable and welcoming for those who may not have considered it before.
For readers who may not be familiar with chiropractic care or think it’s only for athletes, I want them to know that chiropractic is for everyone. Whether you’re a musician, dancer, painter, writer, or just someone looking to move better and feel better, Muse Chiropractic is here to support you—not just with treatment, but with the tools to take control of your health for the long run.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned along my journey is the power of trusting the process and staying adaptable. When I first set out on this path, I had a very different vision for my career. I thought I was going to be a dentist, then a physical therapist, and now here I am, a chiropractor running my own practice. At every stage, I had to be open to change, trust my instincts, and embrace opportunities that didn’t always align with my original plan—but ultimately led me exactly where I needed to be.
Starting my own business has reinforced this lesson even more. There’s no perfect roadmap, and things don’t always go as planned, but staying adaptable, being willing to learn, and having faith in my abilities has helped me push through challenges and continue growing. I’ve learned that success isn’t about having everything figured out from the start—it’s about taking the leap, staying consistent, and trusting that every step forward is bringing you closer to your purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musechiropractic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musechiropractic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572514178408
- Other: https://musechiropractic.janeapp.com/
Image Credits
Tanichia Britton (photos)
Kristen Mouton (logo)
