Dr. Anthony Close hails from a small town in Indiana, with a population of just 200 people. He was raised by two loving parents alongside his two younger sisters, Leah, a practicing lawyer in Indiana, and Katy, a doctor of psychology teaching in Angola, Indiana. Coming from a background rich in medical practitioners and entrepreneurs, it’s no surprise that Dr. Close found his calling in healthcare.
Dr. Close’s academic journey began at Purdue University, where he majored in molecular genetics and minored in quantitative chemistry, despite his aversion to math. Opting to step out of the lab, he pursued a career in medicine, completing a double doctorate in physical medicine (physical therapy and chiropractic) followed by a fellowship in chronic pain management. His further studies at Harvard and MIT in innovation and artificial intelligence fed his curiosity about the future of healthcare.
For over 16 years, Dr. Close dedicated his private practice to chronic pain management, driven by a philosophy often at odds with conventional PTs, MDs, and chiropractors. He emphasized understanding pain as a key to effective healing.
In 2007, he introduced spinal decompression therapy to Jakarta, a pioneering step in the region’s medical landscape. Dr. Close also ventured into the Indonesian market in 2015 with MCT oil, marking another first in his innovative career.
One of his significant achievements is the creation of www.labme.ai in 2017, a pioneer in direct-to-consumer blood testing. This platform was among the first to offer an at-home diagnostic CBC blood test, revolutionizing how individuals monitor their health. The company was acquired in 2023.
Dr. Close successfully built five clinics from the ground up in three different countries. However, his journey took a dramatic turn on Christmas Eve 2015. A motorcycle accident in Jakarta, Indonesia, resulted in a severe injury: a C1 fracture in three places. After an evacuation to Singapore and a grueling recovery process involving a halo brace for three months, he made a remarkable recovery, only to face another devastating motorcycle accident years later. This second incident left him with multiple fractures and a serious head injury, yet he managed to return to the gym within four months.
In December 2021, Dr. Close encountered another health challenge when a small stroke affected his left side leaving him unable to use his arm. Through his deep understanding of pain and biochemistry, he hacked his own healing process, regaining full use of his arm within weeks.
These experiences profoundly shaped Dr. Close’s perspective. His empathy and academic background, combined with personal pain, provided a unique insight into chronic pain management. He emphasizes that recovery is 100% mindset, urging patients to take control of their recovery through understanding pain, planning, assessment, and quality assurance.
Dr. Close’s dedication to education is evident from his time as a senior lecturer at Massey University at the age of 27. Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Dr. Close volunteers to help the underprivileged in Cambodia.
Leveraging his extensive experience, Dr. Close founded DripDok — a company that offers cutting-edge treatments in regenerative medicine, being the first in Southeast Asia to research and administer NAD+ IV Therapy, Cerebrolysin, and Exosomes.
Dr. Anthony Close’s journey from a small-town boy to a pioneering figure in pain management and regenerative medicine is a testament to resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to patient care. In his words: “You can either become bitter or better.”
