Activate Your Practice Podcast

Activator Methods

The Activate Your Practice Podcast is hosted by the Chairman & Founder of Activator Methods, Dr. Arlan Fuhr. This podcast will cover a variety of subjects. Dr. Fuhr will interview guests from different backgrounds and professions, as well as talk about his 50+ years in chiropractic care.

  1. Dr. Petrocco-Napuli Interviews Dr. Fuhr (Part 1)

    16/12/2025

    Dr. Petrocco-Napuli Interviews Dr. Fuhr (Part 1)

    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

    30 min
  2. How Activator And Biomarkers Are Shaping Chiropractic Care - Dr. Ricardo Fujikawa

    29/10/2025

    How Activator And Biomarkers Are Shaping Chiropractic Care - Dr. Ricardo Fujikawa

    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_NB4 We 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/ayp Support the show

    15 min
  3. Adjusted Reality: Seven Pillars for a Healthier, Longer, More Fulfilled You with Dr. Sherry McAllister

    08/10/2025

    Adjusted Reality: Seven Pillars for a Healthier, Longer, More Fulfilled You with Dr. Sherry McAllister

    Feeling out of balance, rushed, and stuck in symptom-chasing? We sit down with Dr. Sherry McAllister to unpack Adjusted Reality—a practical, story-driven guide to living in alignment physically, mentally, and emotionally. Instead of treating chiropractic as a last stop for back pain, we explore it as a catalyst for performance, confidence, and long-term resilience. Sherry shares the seven pillars—investment, replenishment, nourishment, movement, adjustment, contentment, and revitalizement—and shows how they create a path from chaos to clarity. You’ll hear how one young athlete avoided a spiral into depression by finding a doctor who would walk the full journey: clear education, research-backed steps, and care that honored the whole person. We also dig into the difference between disease care and health care, and why collaboration—not competition—gives patients the best outcomes. When communication bridges both systems, people don’t just recover; they regain momentum, purpose, and self-agency. The conversation takes an unexpected turn to New York Fashion Week, where posture and alignment meet confidence and design. Health becomes the ultimate accessory, shaping how we move through rooms, handle stress, and tell our story without words. Along the way, Sherry offers a deceptively simple prompt for clinicians and patients alike: What do you want your health to help you do more of? Aligning care to that answer turns routines into a lifestyle and worry into courage. Ready to rethink what care can do for you? Press play, share this with a friend who needs momentum, and if the message resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us which pillar you’ll build first. Support the show

    21 min
  4. From Federal Agent to Spinal Health Champion

    27/08/2025

    From Federal Agent to Spinal Health Champion

    What happens when a career in federal law enforcement comes to an abrupt end? For Dr. Stacy Neal, a workplace injury that left her dependent on a walker transformed into an unexpected gateway to a fulfilling second career in chiropractic care. As the newest member of Activator Methods International's Speakers Bureau, Dr. Neal shares her extraordinary journey from senior special agent with Homeland Security Investigations—where she tackled human trafficking, narcotics, and financial crimes—to becoming a passionate chiropractor. After sustaining a severe injury during training that led to eleven surgeries and an implanted spinal cord stimulator, it was a workers' compensation chiropractor who convinced her she could walk unassisted again. That life-changing experience inspired her complete career transformation at age 41. Dr. Neal brings a unique investigative mindset to patient care, applying her background in criminology and forensics to clinical diagnosis. This approach has proven invaluable, as she recounts a powerful story of helping a patient who had been dismissed by both emergency room and urgent care providers. Her persistence in ordering appropriate imaging revealed the true source of the patient's debilitating pain, bringing not just physical relief but profound emotional peace. Now serving as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, Dr. Neal has come full circle from student to practitioner to educator. Her story embodies resilience and purpose—demonstrating how personal adversity can reveal unexpected calling. Through Activator Methods' new Speakers Bureau launching in 2025, associations and organizations can request Dr. Neal and other speakers at no cost to share their expertise and inspire others in the chiropractic community. Have you considered how life's unexpected turns might be directing you toward your true purpose? Share your thoughts or reach out to learn more about Activator Methods' speakers for your next event. Support the show

    13 min
  5. "Outmarket the Competition" with Special Guest Nick Doyle

    05/08/2025

    "Outmarket the Competition" with Special Guest Nick Doyle

    When was the last time you calculated what a new patient is truly worth to your practice? In this eye-opening conversation with marketing expert Nick Doyle, author of the bestselling "Outmarket the Competition," we explore a revolutionary approach to marketing that's transforming how businesses think about customer acquisition. Nick reveals why most marketing strategies fail: they focus exclusively on either brand building or performance metrics, missing the powerful synergy created when both work together. "Brand marketing is trust," Nick explains, drawing parallels to the branded products we instinctively choose every day. Meanwhile, performance marketing helps you "fish where the fish are" by targeting those actively seeking your services. The magic happens when these approaches combine. The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Nick introduces his lifetime value framework—a sophisticated yet practical model that uses patient profitability to determine appropriate marketing spend. Rather than arbitrarily setting monthly budgets, Nick advocates calculating what a new patient is actually worth to your practice, then using that figure to inform acquisition costs. While the math might seem daunting at first, the principles can be applied by any practice that understands its basic patient metrics: visit frequency, average cost, and treatment duration. What makes this approach particularly valuable for chiropractors? As Nick points out, local businesses often have an advantage since they're targeting a defined geographical area rather than competing nationally. The key is overcoming personal bias—designing marketing that resonates with patients rather than what appeals to the practitioner. Ready to transform your practice marketing? Listen now and discover why Nick's book has become a bestseller across multiple business categories. The concepts may be advanced, but the potential impact on your practice growth is well worth the learning curve. Support the show

    13 min
  6. The Standard Process Journey with Special Guest Charlie DuBois

    15/07/2025

    The Standard Process Journey with Special Guest Charlie DuBois

    What does it really take to create high-quality nutritional supplements? Charlie DuBois, Chairman and CEO of Standard Process, pulls back the curtain on the 95-year journey of this family-owned company that's refusing to compromise on whole food nutrition. Starting with his unusual path from electrical engineer to supplement company leader, Charlie shares how he borrowed "more millions than years of age" at just 29 to purchase the family business from his great-aunt's estate. This decision has preserved Dr. Royal Lee's founding vision that whole foods—not isolated nutrients—provide the best nutritional foundation. The conversation reveals Standard Process's unique farm-to-supplement approach, including their impressive 1,200-acre certified organic farm (dwarfing the average 4-acre organic operation in America) and their commitment to keeping production entirely within Wisconsin. Charlie explains how they've expanded their scientific credentials through their North Carolina research center, which conducts everything from cellular studies to human clinical trials. Perhaps most surprising is Charlie's revelation that he receives serious offers to buy Standard Process weekly, yet remains committed to transitioning leadership to the fourth generation—his children Jack and Simone. "When private equity owns a supplement company, the results are different," he notes, highlighting how this commitment to family ownership rather than corporate consolidation directly impacts product quality. For chiropractors and health practitioners interested in nutrition, this rare glimpse into the philosophy, research, and family values behind Standard Process illuminates why their approach to supplementation continues to align so strongly with holistic healthcare. Listen now to understand what truly separates quality supplements from the countless options flooding today's marketplace. Support the show

    13 min
  7. She Did It Her Way: Dr. Cindy's Amazing Cancer Survival Journey

    25/06/2025

    She Did It Her Way: Dr. Cindy's Amazing Cancer Survival Journey

    What happens when a doctor becomes the patient? Dr. Cindy Howard, a survivor of Hodgkin's lymphoma, takes us through her remarkable journey from self-diagnosis to complete recovery, offering a master class in integrating conventional and functional medicine approaches along the way. Ten years ago, Dr. Howard woke up with a golf ball-sized lymph node in her neck. Drawing on her medical expertise, she diagnosed herself with Hodgkin's lymphoma and made the critical decision to pursue both chemotherapy and functional medicine treatments simultaneously. "If I don't fix the terrain that cancer grew in, what makes me think I won't wind up there again?" she explains, articulating a philosophy that guided her through recovery and continues to inform her approach to health. Throughout her six-month chemotherapy treatment, Dr. Howard supplemented with high-dose IV vitamin C and approximately 150 different nutritional supplements while maintaining a pristine diet of organic, whole foods. Despite facing resistance from the medical establishment—including being denied access to a less toxic chemotherapy protocol—she advocated fiercely for her health, refusing recommended radiation therapy after completing chemotherapy. Today, she remains cancer-free while managing the side effects of treatment, including reduced lung capacity. Dr. Howard's personal experience has deeply informed her professional work with patients facing various health challenges. She shares practical insights on concussion treatment, emphasizing anti-inflammatory supplements like omega fatty acids, Boswellia, and magnesium threonate. For diabetes management, she recommends berberine HCl, chromium, and cinnamon as natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals. Her passionate approach to women's health stems from her belief that symptoms like menstrual cramps and menopausal discomfort are "common but not normal" and can be effectively addressed. Ready to take control of your health journey? Listen now to discover how one doctor's personal battle with cancer transformed her approach to medicine and might just change your perspective on healing too. Support the show

    26 min
  8. Meet the New WFC Secretary General Dr. Brad Beira

    10/06/2025

    Meet the New WFC Secretary General Dr. Brad Beira

    What does the future of global chiropractic look like? Meet Dr. Brad Beira, the incoming Secretary General of the World Federation of Chiropractic, whose remarkable journey from South African chiropractor to international leader offers invaluable insights for practitioners everywhere. With disarming honesty, Dr. Beira reveals how his early fascination with the nervous system and diagnostics led him to become South Africa's first registered chiropractic student in 1989—coincidentally the same year the WFC was formed. His career evolution from private practice to corporate stress management speaker, then to business executive and legal expert, has uniquely prepared him for guiding chiropractic's global future. Dr. Beira's vision centers on expanding access—both for patients to chiropractors and for chiropractors to safe markets. "We're our own best kept secret," he admits, emphasizing how research and clear communication are essential for demonstrating chiropractic's effectiveness. He speaks passionately about physical literacy and maintaining mobility across all life stages, positioning chiropractors as vital healthcare partners in an increasingly sedentary world. For practitioners feeling isolated in their clinics, Dr. Beira offers practical wisdom: find mentors, seek business management support, and never stop learning. His candid assessment that "practice is hard" and "practice is lonely" resonates with clinicians everywhere, while his call for greater community engagement addresses the concerning trend of younger chiropractors disconnecting from professional associations. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner, new graduate, or chiropractic student, Dr. Beira's passionate call to action will inspire you to connect more deeply with colleagues and communicate your value more effectively to patients and other healthcare professionals. His leadership promises a new chapter for chiropractic that honors its roots while embracing innovative approaches to global healthcare challenges. Subscribe now to hear more conversations with chiropractic thought leaders who are shaping the future of our profession. Support the show

    28 min

About

The Activate Your Practice Podcast is hosted by the Chairman & Founder of Activator Methods, Dr. Arlan Fuhr. This podcast will cover a variety of subjects. Dr. Fuhr will interview guests from different backgrounds and professions, as well as talk about his 50+ years in chiropractic care.