The Rock Doc Being One and Becoming One
FEATURE
Gary Huddleston
DC
"I never under any circumstance take tips or gratuities"
For nearly every practicing doctor, chiropractic has given us the opportunity to not only become friends with our patients but to also highly influence their health care and lifestyle. However, for some of us, chiropractic has provided the tools to move away a bit from the normal daily practice. Some doctors work with high school and college athletes while others may find a more diverse area of expertise, and this is what we call the “Rock Doc.”
I have been so blessed to work with some of the top athletes, bands, musicians, and sports teams on the planet. I also own a table and laser manufacturing business, which has led many clients and patients to me as well. It should be noted that, due to confidentiality and doctor-patient relations, I will not mention by name the people, bands, or sports teams I have worked with and still do. The names I do mention are also personal friends.
Unfortunately, many chiropractors think that because they are licensed and have some experience in the field that sports teams will welcome them with open arms, but that is rarely the case. Often, you will come up against athletic trainers, physical therapists, and even physicians who will put up roadblocks. Many times, these healthcare professionals are simply uninformed about what we can do to help.
When approaching a person involved with the decision, I make sure to tell him or her that I am an adjunct, a team player, and one spoke in the healthcare wheel. I’m not there to take anyone’s position or cause trouble but to simply help the athlete in need.
In most instances, you will need to start at the highschool level. It is rare that you can go to a university or college and join the healthcare staff without some experience under your belt already.
Here is an example of being in the right place at the right time. A few years ago, I was doing a seminar in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Raiders were playing the Chiefs. It happened that they were eating breakfast just 30 feet away from where I was set up in the hotel. I walked into the room past security, who probably thought I was a player, and introduced myself to a man at the buffet line. It turned out he was the team’s orthopedic surgeon. We spoke a bit, ate breakfast, and I left. One of the coaches then came to me to be worked on. After the treatment, he simply said, “Don’t go anywhere.” Nearly every player and coach then came to me for an adjustment and therapy. The hotel had to rope us off and place security there to keep autograph-seekers away from us. That evening, one of the coaches called and asked if I could be there in the morning to treat the players again, which I did. They were out of comp tickets, so instead, they gave me a bench pass. I ended up sitting on the bench with the Raiders in Kansas City where I went to Cleveland University. This is just one example of how things can snowball when you give good care.
After graduating from chiropractic college, I practiced in a small Oklahoma town. There was a small four-year university nearby with a good football team. I approached the coach, and he started sending the players to me. Then they asked me to sit on the bench, and that was followed by team travel. The first year we went to a televised bowl game, it really sealed the deal when I was shown on national television working on one of the players. My credentials were born.
In my earlier years, I was a competitive weightlifter and bodybuilder, and I still am today but on a lesser level. Athletes love that about me because not only can I talk the talk, but I walk the walk as well. Athletes will pay much more attention to you when you speak with firsthand experience and have been in the pits with them. It isn’t necessary to be a quarterback or left fielder, but you do need to know the sport if you apply for a job with those athletes.
Following my tenure in Oklahoma, I changed locations. I slowly got into treating professional bodybuilders at regional shows. I had training articles published in Flex and Muscle and Fitness where my chiropractic degree carried some weight. I started attending the nationallevel shows so people would get to know me, and finally became one of the treating chiropractors at the Arnold Classic for many years. I actually stayed in the same hotel as the competitors, athletes, and bodybuilders and had a treatment suite in my room. It was amazing how appreciative these athletes were of me being there and offering chiropractic and rehab. I was even a guest speaker at the largest Arnold Classic seminar. Again, my resume continued to grow.
A huge break came when I was working one of the Arnold Classics, and WCW Wrestling, at that time the largest of the pro wrestling companies, was holding a huge show in Columbus at the same time. I managed to get through on the phone and talked to the head agent, who would become a lifetime supporter of my work and me, and was allowed to treat the professional wrestlers. I didn’t treat anyone for an hour, and then the top superstar for WCW was my first patient. I adjusted his clavicle and left shoulder, and from then on, I was “one of the boys.” At one time or the other, I have treated nearly every wrestler you see on TV. To date, I have worked at least 125 shows for WCW, TNA, and still do occasionally for WWE. I have stayed lifelong friends with many of the wrestlers and talk to them frequently. Top pro wrestlers, such as Kevin Nash, The Undertaker, and Triple H, are all supporters of chiropractic care, and I have worked on them often. Many don’t realize it, but I also did nearly a half-dozen vignettes and walk-ons for several wrestling federation’s televised shows on Monday and Tuesday evenings. I was “one of the boys,” and I often volunteered for things other than being a chiropractor, such as TV appearances when they needed a fresh face.
Owning an equipment company has afforded me access to many professional teams, and nearly a dozen of them are in the NFL and MLB, who use my tables and lasers. Even the top home-run hitter of all time has one of my tables. There is no bigger thrill for me than going into the clubhouse of a major league baseball team and going through rehab protocols with their staff and meeting the players.
Athletics has, of course, been a high point for me and allowed me to move into the film, music, and entertainment industry. I was the doctor at the Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans with nearly 500,000 in attendance. My big break was when I contacted the Ozarks Amphitheater in Camdenton, Missouri, one of the largest outdoor theaters in the state. They were extremely responsive to what I suggested and supportive of chiropractic. I did an interview and just finished up my second year there. Some of the most famous acts in country and rock music play there. It is amazing how receptive the talent and crews are to what I offer. Several times, management teams have asked me to give special time to a lead singer or special performer to address several health care issues. On occasion, I have also suggested they see a medical physician or specialist, and they are relieved to have the information. Many of them have become friends on social media. I even had a special birthday celebration thrown by the amphitheater staff on the night of a concert, which shows how much we mean to each other.
Not only do I get to treat athletes and musicians, but the perks also include hanging out with them, going to other shows, backstage passes, and a myriad of other benefits. My clinic is literally a museum of autographs, memorabilia, special gifts, and pictures gleaned through years of being a Rock Doc. Every wall in every room is covered with baseball, wrestling, MMA, and film and music mementos obtained by giving the best chiropractic care I can.
Even if you are chosen to work a startup like a high school football game or something similar, don’t expect to be paid. I worked many events for free and still do just to get my foot into the door. Ffowever, these free shows have led to much bigger, higher-paying events. I have also been asked to go on tour with several notable bands. The day-inand-day-out grind of a bus, performing, and weird hours all contribute to constant problems the talent experience. Ffaving a chiropractor available just makes life easier for them, and nearly all of the talent recognize that.
When I work a venue, I go all out. I bring a good portable table, trigger point tools, stim, and my trusty go-to Class IV laser for immediate pain control. I also do kinesio taping, take blood pressure, and use topical analgesics. You only have a short time with the performer, so you need as many tools as possible to alleviate pain. I have received thank-you cards, autographed pictures, drumsticks, and many other items just for doing what we all love to do—give good chiropractic care.
Often, when treating a famous person of any kind, you may have their spouse or significant other, lawyer, by watching or agent standing every move and sometimes questioning what you are doing. It just goes with the territory. I explain what I do simply and precisely, and I avoid tons of chiropractic terminology they may not understand. There have been several instances of world-class artists who request private one-on-one time with me, and it is sometimes amazing what they confide in me.
Inside the entertainment profession, the artists have names for people who ask for autographs, pictures, and shirts. They call these people “tourists” or “citizens.” I have never asked for an autograph or anything else when I work professionally, and I never will. Most of them will offer mementos for your service, and I usually take them for my walls of fame in my clinic. I never take tips or gratuities because I feel it degrades what I do. The venue either pays me, or I work the show for free.
Many would like to move into a different realm of chiropractic care by treating notables, athletes, entertainers, and musicians. It takes time to build up a reputation as well as a resume. I am still shut down sometimes when
applying for an event or gig, but more times than not, bookers or agents are much more receptive and willing to try what I have to offer because of my experience. After all, it’s about making the talent perform better.
I have been in the chiropractic profession for 37 years, and it has taken years to get into the position I am now regarding treating the “elite.” It takes patience, determination, a little luck, and especially knowledge of what you do. As chiropractors, we offer some of the best health care available. It’s your job to spread the word.
Gary Huddleston, DC, is the owner ofAccuB flex Tables and Lasers and has been practicing I for 37 years. His practice also consists ofprofes\ sional athletes, MMAfighters, pro M’restlers and the music and entertainment industry.
He can be reached at 573-745-1086 or email at [email protected]
