Dr. Cessna entered private practice in 1959 and from the beginning routinely ordered blood testing, urinalysis, ECG's and phonocardiographic studies on his patients. In 1976, he enrolled in the Columbia College course which led to a BA degree in Bio-nutrition and preventive medicine. Throughout the 1980's he traveled, lectured and served his patients in Rogers, Arkansas, until his retirement from active practice in 1989.

After retirement, Dr. Cessna moved to Tucson, Arizona, and as past-president of the Council on Diagnosis and Internal Disorders of the ACA he established the Council's 300 hour - 26 session diplomate program with the postgraduate department at Texas Chiropractic College. He has authored over 1,300 pages of notes and 800 color slides for the diplomate program. In the mid-nineties, Dr. Cessna initiated the same diplomate program at Northwestern College of Chiropractic and presented over 4500 hours of accumulated live courses.