Activate Your Practice Podcast

If you expect to live longer than your grandparents did, here’s the uncomfortable follow-up: are you prepared to stay healthy for those extra years, or just survive them? We dig into the difference between lifespan and healthspan, why the US often spends a decade or more in decline, and what it costs families when “care” becomes a long, expensive slow fade instead of a plan for function.Dr. Eric Plasker shares the real patient story that sparked the 100-Year Lifestyle, including the moment he started asking one simple question: if you knew you would live to 100, what would you change today? From there, we connect the dots between mobility, posture, spinal health, nervous system function, and the everyday outcomes people actually want, like staying active, avoiding unnecessary meds, and keeping independence as the years add up.We also talk about the Chiropractic Healthspan Project and why chiropractic needs a clearer, unified public message that moves beyond short-term pain relief into healthy longevity and performance-based lifestyle care. We cover how Activator Methods can remove the fear barrier for people who do not want their neck “cracked,” opening the door for seniors, families, and anyone who wants a gentle, precise approach.If this conversation challenges how you think about aging, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review. What’s one habit you would change today if you were planning to thrive at 100?Support the show

Your feet touch the ground thousands of times a day, and every one of those steps sends a message up your body. That is why we sat down with Jamie Greenawalt, president of Foot Levelers Incorporated, to get practical about foot biomechanics, custom orthotics, and how better support can change posture, comfort, and daily energy.Jamie shares the company’s origin story, starting in 1952 with Dr. Monty Greenawalt experimenting in his garage after seeing patients struggle with rigid, uncomfortable prescription orthotics. We talk about why flexible, three-arch support matters, how forces travel through the kinetic chain from the feet to the ankles, knees, hips, and low back, and why “small” alignment problems can compound through repetitive stress.We also shift from gait to sleep. Jamie explains how Foot Levelers is applying the same research-first mindset to recovery with the Nexi Custom Pillow, including imaging that maps the head, neck, and shoulders to help support optimal sleep posture. You will hear why listeners report fewer wake-ups, better sleep consistency, and even reduced snoring, plus how travel feedback shaped the product line.Finally, we connect recovery to performance through their partnership with marathoner Sarah Hall and what they look for in aligned, long-term wellness partnerships. If you want to explore custom orthotics or custom sleep support, start at footlevelers.com and nexicustompillow.com, then share this with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Support the show

What should a chiropractic education guarantee when a student finally walks across the stage: seat time, or real competence? We sit down with Dr. Deb Bushway, president of Northwestern Health Sciences University, to get specific about what “practice-ready” actually means and why outcomes like graduation rates and chiropractic board pass rates are still the clearest promise a program can make to students and the public. Along the way, we talk candidly about how easily education can drift into tradition instead of measurable skill. We also go straight at a pain point every new chiropractor recognizes: business readiness. Great clinicians can still struggle with pricing, cash flow, staffing, and the day-to-day reality of private practice. Dr. Bushway explains an approach built for how people learn and when they need the information: online practice management modules reinforced throughout school, plus free access after graduation when the lessons finally feel urgent and practical. Then we zoom out to the bigger system shaping chiropractic training: the relationship between academic programs, accreditation, licensing boards, and the NBCE. We discuss why standardization matters, why hours are a shaky proxy for learning, and how competency-based education could raise clarity and quality across the profession. We also share a powerful VA story that shows how integrative care can shift minds fast when results are undeniable. If you found this useful, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a quick review with your biggest takeaway.Support the show

AI is rewriting healthcare while most clinics are still trying to survive the front desk rush, insurance friction, and an endless admin pile. We sit down with Dr. Jay Greenstein, a chiropractor, entrepreneur, and digital health builder, to talk about what it really takes to grow a modern chiropractic practice without losing your values or your sanity.We start with Dr. Greenstein's guiding philosophy of kindness and his drive for justice, then get honest about leadership mistakes that nearly every clinic owner makes. Culture is not a poster on the wall. We explain how hiring for core values, building a repeatable recruiting and onboarding process, and putting the team first creates a better patient experience and a business that can actually scale. We also break down autonomy, mastery, and purpose as a practical framework for keeping purpose from getting crushed by daily chaos.Then we zoom out to the biggest shift in chiropractic practice management right now: AI in healthcare and digital health. Dr. Greenstein shares why “learn, play, implement” beats fear and procrastination, plus concrete starting points with tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and more. We also talk patient engagement between visits, remote therapeutic monitoring, and why at-home care is becoming the expectation, especially for older adults focused on mobility and independence.If you want clearer systems, better leadership, and a realistic path to adopting AI without the hype, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review with the one idea you are going to implement this week.Support the show

A 105-degree fever, weeks of rapid weight loss, and no clear answers sent Dr. John Maltby down a path he never expected. One chiropractic visit changed everything and that moment eventually led him to 48 years in practice and a new role as Secretary General of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC). We sit down with John to hear the full story, from a teenage health crisis to building a long-term practice in a small farming community, and why he believes chiropractic’s impact grows when we stay focused on results that matter to real people.We also get specific about what the WFC actually does and why its relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) is such a big deal for global health. John breaks down how the WFC represents chiropractic to the WHO, helps open doors with governments and health leaders, and supports a simple vision: access to chiropractic care for all people, of all ages, in all nations. Along the way, we talk about the profession’s biggest obstacle: internal division that confuses the message when the world is asking one question, “How can you help our people be healthy?”From low back pain as a leading cause of disability worldwide to the everyday goal of staying mobile as we age, we connect chiropractic, rehabilitation, and quality of life. John also shares why the adjustment remains the profession’s unique core, plus an exciting look at sports chiropractic momentum and how close chiropractic is to being part of every Olympic team. Subscribe, share this with a colleague or patient, and leave a review, what do you think chiropractic should be known for globally?Support the show

Chiropractic can change a person’s life in one visit, but can the profession deliver that kind of result reliably when a practice grows beyond one doctor? I sit down with Dr. Sam Wang to unpack the uncomfortable truth that scaling chiropractic clinics exposes: the variable is often not whether chiropractic works, but whether our systems make outcomes consistent and trainable.We trace Dr. Wang’s path from a car accident and a first adjustment that erased severe pain to building a multi-location model, then connect the dots to an unexpected influence: restaurant operations. Corporate chains succeed because training is standardized, roles are clear, and processes run the same way every day. We explore how that mindset translates to chiropractic practice management, from front desk workflows and documentation to technique consistency across associates, plus why instrument adjusting appealed as a way to create reproducible force and predictable results.The conversation also gets real about the modern landscape: consolidation in healthcare, heavier compliance demands, IT and cybersecurity concerns, and why “be a great clinician and a great entrepreneur” is often too much for one person. For students and new grads, we dig into the job market, the lack of standardized associate contracts, and the weight of student loan debt that can reach $250,000 to $400,000. Dr. Wang explains why structured groups and formalized postgraduate training can bridge the experience gap while protecting patient trust.If you care about standardized chiropractic care, multi-doctor clinic consistency, and building a career that does not collapse under complexity, you will take a lot from this one. Subscribe, share it with a student or associate, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Support the show

Seconds decide futures when a stroke strikes, and the biggest lifesaver isn’t a gadget—it’s knowing what to do first. We sit down with nurse practitioner and stroke program leader Euly Smith to unpack the exact steps that protect brain tissue, open doors to modern treatments, and turn a terrifying moment into a survivable story. If you’ve ever wondered how to tell dizziness from danger, or whether driving yourself helps, this conversation gives you a clear plan.We start with what stroke really is—a brain attack caused by either a burst vessel or a blocked artery—and the B.E.F.A.S.T checklist that anyone can memorize: balance changes, vision loss, facial droop, arm or leg weakness or numbness, speech trouble, and time to call 911. Euly explains why paramedics matter more than car keys: EMS pre-alerts stroke centers, bypasses unprepared hospitals, and gets you straight to imaging. We also dig into the rise of stroke in younger adults and the overlooked risk drivers behind it, from hypertension and high cholesterol to diabetes, smoking, substance use, and undiagnosed sleep apnea.From there, we explore treatment windows and what “time is brain” actually means. You’ll learn when clot-busting medication can dissolve small-vessel clots, why large-vessel blockages need mechanical thrombectomy, and how specialized biplane imaging suites guide catheters to remove clots at their source. We tackle dangerous myths—like waiting out symptoms or taking aspirin—and reframe TIAs as urgent warnings you can act on. Euly shares the smart questions to bring to your next checkup about AFib screening, blood pressure, glucose control, and sleep studies, plus the community programs that support survivors and families after discharge.Walk away with a practical, memorable action plan: recognize B.E.F.A.S.T , call 911, request a stroke-certified center, and follow up on your personal risk profile. If this episode helps one person catch a stroke sooner, it was worth every minute. Subscribe, share with someone you love, and leave a review telling us which takeaway you’ll act on today.Support the show

Ready for a year where research, training, and access all move in the same direction? We lay out a concrete plan for 2026: bringing seminars back to college campuses, strengthening state association presence, and pairing that with virtual education proven to match hands-on outcomes. Along the way, we share how publishing in Nature turned heads across the broader medical world and opened doors to high-level collaborations, including a spine study with Ohio State that leverages precise instrumented thrusts.We dig into mechanism-first research that answers real clinical questions, like whether adjusting around osteoporotic hips is safe. The findings go further than expected: not only safety signals, but evidence of trabecular regrowth in models—an insight that reframes fracture risk, fall narratives, and mobility trajectories for older adults. It’s the kind of data that boosts practitioner confidence and directly benefits patients who need careful, effective care.Our podcast started during lockdowns as a way to keep teaching and quickly evolved into a hub with hundreds of thousands of downloads, attracting clinicians, patients, and other providers. Conversations with leaders like orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jimmy Chow and practice-growth experts bring both clinical depth and practical wisdom. That cross-pollination reflects how far interprofessional respect has come—and how evidence, patents, and consistent publishing helped change perceptions of chiropractic in the wider health ecosystem.Training and reach are scaling together. With presence in dozens of colleges and a diverse speakers bureau, we’re building a pipeline of proficiency-rated practitioners ready for real-world cases: sports injuries, post-surgical care, documentation, Medicare, risk management, and even animal care. Expect regional seminars, alumni-centered campus events, and guests who share hard-earned insights you can apply the same day. If you’re aiming to sharpen your scan protocols, grow a sports practice, or align with the latest research, this is your roadmap.Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a lift, and leave a review with the one topic you want us to tackle next.Support the show

Most people who avoid chiropractic share one fear: neck cracking. We dive into a precision-first alternative—instrument-assisted adjusting—showing how it’s reshaping patient trust, clinical outcomes, and the day-to-day life of busy practices. With Dr. Arlan Fuhr and new president Dr. Kristina Petrocco-Napuli, we unpack the past year’s biggest moves and what’s coming next.We trace the rise of virtual training that actually sticks, covering decision-making at the table—where to adjust, when to adjust, and when to stop—so new graduates and veterans alike avoid over-treatment. Then we open the CE toolkit: risk management and women’s health that can reduce NCMIC malpractice premiums for three years, plus documentation strategies that protect practices and speed reimbursements. It’s practical, measurable, and designed for the whole team.Safety sits at the center. You’ll hear how a pediatric tip calibrated to about 20 newtons keeps infant care gentle and consistent, grounded in biomechanics research. On the other end of the spectrum, we walk through geriatric, post-surgical scenarios—pelvic changes after knee and hip replacements, IT band trigger points, and how targeted adjustments restore balance and reduce pain. We also explore core strength and balance improvements tied to precise care and how simple, weekly isometrics can reboot mobility.The data now match the momentum: according to NBCE practice analysis, roughly 93% of chiropractors have an instrument in the office. That shift fuels referrals from primary care and surgical teams who want conservative, precise options for spine and extremity care. We wrap with the energy of a sold-out university seminar, plans for the next campus stop, and a forward-looking roadmap that keeps training, tools, and research aligned.If precision, safety, and real-world results matter to you, follow the show, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more practitioners find it.Support the show

What if pain relief could be tracked as clearly as a lab result? We sit down with Dr. Ricardo Fujikawa—a physician who became a chiropractor—to explore how precision tools, rigorous research, and biomarkers are reshaping conservative spine care. From Brazil to Madrid, he’s built programs, founded a research foundation, and pushed chiropractic into high-impact journals where the broader medical community pays attention.WATCH THE FULL PODCAST AT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaWZCdk_NB4We dig into mechanism research that moves beyond small, expensive clinical trials to answer how an adjustment creates change. In osteoporotic rat and osteoarthritic rabbit models, controlled force from an activator instrument produced measurable tissue effects, including changes tied to mechanogrowth factor and bone density. That same reproducibility has opened doors at major universities and fueled NIH-funded collaborations, proving that standardized inputs let researchers isolate variables and ask smarter questions about dose, timing, and outcomes.The conversation shifts to objective measurement with TNF alpha and related inflammatory biomarkers. Patient-reported pain scales still matter, but they’re subjective; urine-based testing and algorithmic prediction promise a practical, noninvasive way to track real physiological improvement. Imagine a clinic where a quick strip test guides care plans, validates progress, and reduces reliance on drugs—while giving medical doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors a shared language for results.We also touch on the future of chiropractic technology, from instrumented assessments to precisely targeted adjustments, and the rise of global education standards that prepare the next generation to practice with data-driven confidence. With an international network of proficiency-rated practitioners, patients can expect consistent, high-quality care whether they’re in Phoenix or Madrid. If you care about evidence, safety, and real-world outcomes, this conversation lays out a compelling blueprint for where spine care is heading.Enjoyed the episode? Follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more listeners discover evidence-driven chiropractic.SPONSORED BY Softec - Use promo code: ACTIVATE25 at https://www.softectables.com/aypSupport the show