meet the Doctors
Chiropractor
Charles Pray D.C.
Location: Ringgold
Offering Manual, Pain Free Adjusting
Dr. Charles G. Pray is originally from New Hampshire and came to Georgia to attend Life University to become a chiropractor. Dr. Pray has been serving the North Georgia area for over 25 years with his unique chiropractic approach of helping people get out of pain fast and then stay pain-free so they can enjoy life to the fullest.
Established by Dr. Charles G. Pray in 1995, Pray Chiropractic has become a recognized leader in the expanding natural healthcare field. Always on the cutting edge, in 2005, Pray Chiropractic became the first chiropractic facility in the nation to offer direct digital x-rays.
In 2010 he designed and built the 5000 square foot state of the art facility in Ringgold where he uniquely combined the chiropractic with computerized spinal decompression and deep tissue laser to get people well faster and successfully treat a wider variety of conditions. In February of 2018 he opened a new 6000 square foot office in the heart of Dalton to accommodate the demand for his services. Dr. Charles Pray is an expert in the diagnosis and management of spinal related disorders. He uses the latest in chiropractic technology to help patients get well, some with literally no twisting or popping of the spine and he tailors each adjustment to each individual’s physiology, age, and spinal condition. Dr. Pray is known for his innovative, painless treatment methods and patients are always excited about what is coming next. In the annual contest by the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, satisfied patients have voted Dr. Charles Pray Chattanooga’s and North Georgia’s “Best of the Best” Chiropractor 11 years in a row!
Dr. Pray is dedicated to cutting-edge solutions and is constantly researching and traveling the country to bring the best treatment options to his patients.
Staying Busy Outside of the Office
Dr. Pray and his wife, Dawn, enjoy staying active by hiking, biking and being in the great outdoors. Dr. Pray likes to travel, spend time with his 4 children, and make the most of downtown living. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly, caring team today! We’re in-network providers with many insurance plans.
Chiropractor
Jason McRae D.C.
Location: Ringgold
Even at 9 years old, Dr. McRae knew he wanted to be a doctor. “The chiropractor who helped me get rid of my migraines said, “Why don’t you look into chiropractic? I think you’d be good at it.” Dr. McRae did look into this form of natural health care and liked that it focused on prevention and keeping people well instead of waiting until things fall apart.
Education and Experience
After earning his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University, Dr. McRae went to Logan College of Chiropractic (now Logan University) to earn his Doctor of Chiropractic. He graduated in 1997 and has enjoyed practicing for more than 20 years. Before coming to Pray Chiropractic, he worked extensively in functional medicine and owned several chiropractic clinics.
Seeing Patients Get Their Life Back
Not only is it gratifying to help his patients get out of pain, but Dr. McRae enjoys helping them return to participating in their favorite activities. He sees patients of all ages in the Ringgold office and appreciates being able to help people in his community.
Family and Hobbies
Dr. McRae and his wife Jennifer have three sons: John, Caleb and Luke. In addition to spending time with his family, he also likes to hunt, fish and travel from time to time.
Chiropractor
James Bodkin D.C.
Location: Ringgold
Dr. Bodkin joined Pray Chiropractic’s Dalton office full time in July 2019. As a high school football player, Dr. Bodkin injured his shoulder while playing. He went to see multiple doctors and had physical therapy, but he didn’t get the results he was looking for. Dr. Bodkin’s father was under chiropractic care at the time and got incredible results as far as pain relief and improved range of motion.
“I was 16 or 17 then, and knew that I wanted to do something in the medical field.” Dr. Bodkin thought it was awesome to heal people with just your hands."
A Chiropractic Education
Dr. Bodkin earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Sherman College of Chiropractic. While in school, he and fellow students practiced on each other and then started seeing patients from the community. Dr. Bodkin found it highly fulfilling to see patients feel better and move better.
Helping to Improve Patients’ Lives Genuine and caring, Dr. Bodkin always seeks to get his patients the results they want. In practice since 2009, he has helped many patients get better and improve the quality of their life. He sees patients across the spectrum, from children to athletes.
“When they get under care and say, ‘my life is completely different,’ this hits home and makes me happy to be able to help someone.”
Outside the Practice
When he’s not working, Dr. Bodkin enjoys spending as much time with family as he can. He and his wife Meredith have three children: son Landon and daughters Audrey and Emma. Dr. Bodkin likes leading his family in healthy living. He particularly enjoys soccer, going on hikes, eating healthily and exercising. His other passion is music. He plays the guitar and drums.
Chiropractor
Eric Rivera D.C.
Location: Dalton
Dr. Eric was born and raised in Puerto Rico and received his undergraduate training at both the Universidad de Puerto Rico and the University of Central Florida ("UCF") where he earned his bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences in 2016.
Though always interested in a career healing others, it wasn't until college that Dr. Eric first saw the impact of chiropractic when his father received treatment for his hurting back. It was then that Dr. Eric decided that he too wanted to treat others naturally and he decided to pursue a career in chiropractic. Dr. Eric graduated from Palmer College in 2019 with his doctorate in Chiropractic. He served a six-month externship at the Veteran Affairs Department, receiving clinical training in acupuncture, electrodiagnosis as well as neurology. He is fully bilingual and licensed in both Tennessee and Georgia. Dr. Eric's gentle manual adjusting techniques make him the perfect fit for Pray Chiropractic.
Dr. Eric resides in the Dalton area with his best buddy, a husky named Jasper. When not working, Dr. Eric can be found outdoors playing golf or cycling.
Chiropractor
Manuel Vilar D.C.
Location: Dalton
Dr. Vilar graduated from the University of Puerto Rico Bayamon with a Bachelor of Science. He then went on to receive his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life University in Marietta, Georgia. He was raised in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Being passionate about anatomy and physiology, Dr. Vilar has always been interested in healthcare. He became interested in chiropractic after watching a YouTube video of a chiropractor adjusting a patient. He was fascinated by how the patient, who initially came in with a lot of pain, left the room feeling significantly better after a chiropractic adjustment with only the doctor's hands and without any medication. Having witnessed the impact on patients made through chiropractic care, Dr. Vilar was inspired by this life-changing career.
Using cutting-edge chiropractic techniques, he treats patients of all ages, and literally whole families come in to get adjusted together. Patients appreciate that he listens to them and that he is genuinely caring and compassionate. Dr. Vilar lives in Dalton and is an avid sports enthusiast, with basketball and pickleball as his favorite.
