Dr. Coleen Denton-Prater didn’t always know she wanted to go into the family business. Denton-Prater says her father knew since the eighth grade that he would be a chiropractic physician, but it wasn’t until she was finishing her undergraduate degree that she realized she could pursue her passion as a chiropractor.
Denton-Prater, a Pleasant grad who completed her first degree at Miami University, says “I love the focus of fitness and health.”
For her senior capstone, Denton-Prater studied the most accurate way to measure and evaluate body composition. She believed that to follow her love, she would be working in a hospital. Her father, Dr. Max Denton, informed her that she could specialize in nutrition and fitness as a chiropractor.
After Denton-Prater started at the National University of Health Sciences, Denton encouraged his daughter to look into acupuncture. Denton-Prater says she wasn’t really interested but took it as an elective anyway. Later, she started taking additional courses on weekends. Eventually, Denton-Prater would go on to sit for the American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncturists, a board she served on for six years.
Acupuncture wasn’t the only thing Denton-Prater brought back with her to Marion. She met her husband, Dr. Tim Prater, who was the Student Athletic Director at the National University of Health Sciences. As Prater was organizing the “Chiro Games,” the two became friends.
“I tricked the Michigander into moving to Ohio.” Denton-Prater says.
“I get to work alongside the most amazing, smart, beautiful, and caring doctor that I have ever met and also get to have the tutelage of Dr. Max. We have three sets of eyes if we have anything complex and we all complement each other,” says Prater. “The best part of my day is being able to give patients a true understanding of what is going on with them. Most patients come in having pain as a significant issue in their life. We get to show them how they can gain control over their pain, body, and hence life. We empower people with minimally invasive and very simple health interventions and habits that can help them to lead the life they desire.”
Denton-Prater later became the owner of her father’s former practice, now Denton-Prater Chiropractic and Natural Health. Denton-Prater specializes in nutrition and acupuncture, including supporting people looking for a healthier lifestyle, wellness support, and specialized dietary needs. Her father still sees patients and Prater specializes in active based care for any injuries, but particularly enjoys working with athletes. All three provide general chiropractic care.
Denton-Prater’s favorite thing about being a doctor is “helping people feel better, not just physically but emotionally.”
While this isn’t always the case, Denton-Prater says when she sees others improve, it’s the best.
“If I played a small role in, or guided them even a little it’s very rewarding. The amount of energy put into my education makes me proud of the title, but I’m just glad to have the knowledge to help people,” Denton-Prater says.
In June 2015, the Prater’s added “gym owners” to their titles when they opened Pure Function CrossFit. Her favorite thing about the gym? “The community. Hands down.” Denton-Prater says.
Denton-Prater says she loves seeing other people passionate about what she’s passionate about. They pride themselves on the charity work both businesses have done to raise money for individuals and such as Veteran’s Court, 22 Until Valhalla, For the Children, Turning Point, Kiwanis, and Save a Warrior.
When asked why fundraising is important to them, Prater says, “Fitness is about learning how to love yourself for who you truly can be. And I always want that person to be giving and serving others so doing fundraisers started as the easiest way to give to people when we didn’t have tons to give ourselves…Fundraisers are just a part of our community that reaches out into the greater community.”
