Ex-minister returns home as chiropractor
Published 10:06 am Thursday, March 8, 2012
Dr. Patrick Draayer of Draayer Chiropractic Center with Kylea Draayer, patient manager, and massage therapist Becky Flaherty are now open at 109 First Avenue SE. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Although Dr. Patrick Draayer started out as a minister, he said he has always known he wanted to be a chiropractor.
He left Austin in 1995 at the age of 18, and moved to Admiralty Island, directly south of Juneau, Alaska, but quickly learned Alaska isn’t the best place in the world for someone afraid of bears. So he moved, got a master’s degree in theology and became a Wesleyan minister, preaching in Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota and Virginia. While he said he enjoyed ministry, he soon decided chiropractic medicine was his true calling, so he got a degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, practiced in Osage, Iowa, for a little over two years, and eventually found his way back home.
Draayer opened Draayer Chiropractic Center in Austin on Jan. 3, and is preparing for a grand opening celebration April 21. In his small office at 109 First Ave. SE, Draayer offers traditional chiropractic techniques, along with holistic medicine. He also employs a massage therapist, Becky Flaherty, and his wife, Kylea Draayer, is the patient manager.
Draayer, who was born and raised in Austin, said he was always looking for an opportunity to move back.
“My heart has always been in my hometown,” he said.
Draayer moved to Austin in November and prepared to open his own business. He said the best part of the business is getting people out of pain.
“It makes you feel like you’re really doing something,” he said. “ I was in ministry, and I’ve always had a heart for people, and this is almost a continuation of ministry. There are many times when people are on the table when I pray for insight and wisdom.”
Draayer offers several holistic treatments, such as “Contact Reflex Analysis,” nutritional therapy, aroma therapy, allergy testing and an ion detoxification foot bath. He said the best thing for anyone skeptical of the treatments is to try it.
“Just experiencing it is the best thing,” he said. “Just because you don’t understand something, doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.”
Contact Draayer Chiropractic at 507-396-8088.
