By Ashley Stewart

Owatonna People’s Press

BLOOMING PRAIRIE — Prairie Family & Sports Chiropractic in Blooming Prairie celebrated 20 years on Friday.

But Julie Eischens, wife of clinic founder Dr. Chad Eischens, said it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long.

“It goes by like that,” she said.

The couple arrived in Blooming Prairie and started Prairie Family & Sports Chiropractic in April 1995 on Main Street, where it remains today.

“My husband wanted to open his own chiropractic clinic and we had heard that Blooming Prairie was a great community,” Julie said.

And since the clinic’s founding two decades ago, it’s evolved.

Today the clinic employs one doctor, two massage therapists and three office staff compared to one doctor and one employee in 1995 and offers chiropractic care, X-ray services, rehab and therapy, sport physicals, massage therapy, drug and alcohol screenings and others.

Chad has treated thousands of patients from Blooming Prairie and surrounding communities like Austin, Hayfield, Dodge Center and Owatonna.

“The people have been the best,” Julie said.

And on Friday, members of the community were invited to celebrate the clinic’s 20th anniversary during an open house with cake pops and cake, drinks and gift giveaways as well as specials.

“It was a great welcome 20 years ago and the community has supported us well and made it a great place to raise a family,” Julie said.

The couple lives in Blooming Prairie and has two children, Katelyn and Kevin.

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and by appointment only on Thursday and Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

For more information about the clinic, call 507-583-2271 or visit www.drchad.org.