Chiropractic at the Threshold of a Revolutionary New Era
TAC Podcast Interview
In an exclusive interview, Kent Greenawalt, CEO and chairman of Foot Levelers, offers a unique perspective on the future of the chiropractic profession.
Dr. Monte Greenawalt developed the original Spinal Pelvic Stabilizer using a formula based on sixteen unique foot measurements.
To this day, his proven formula remains, and Foot Levelers are the only custom flexible orthotics available that support all three arches of the foot.
IN HIS DECADES OF LEADERSHIP, Kent Greenawalt has witnessed the remarkable evolution of chiropractic care.
He also shares his insights on the current political landscape, emphasizing the unprecedented opportunities arising from shifting healthcare priorities and the crucial role of unity and advocacy. His message is clear: the time for chiropractic is now, and unity is paramount to achieving its full potential.
In this exclusive podcast interview with The American Chiropractor (TAC), Kent Greenawalt (KG) shares his insights on the current landscape of chiropractic, the broader industry panorama, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the profession.
TAC: How many years have you been involved in the chiropractic profession?
KG: If we count from birth, since I was adjusted the moment I was bom, it’s been a lifetime! But officially, it has been decades. Let’s just say I’ve been around long enough to see the industry evolve in extraordinary ways.
Chiropractic has been a cornerstone of my life, from growing up in a chiropractic household to dedicating my career to supporting the profession. I’ve witnessed the challenges, triumphs, and continuous progress that has been made. Every milestone has been a testament to the power of chiropractic in transforming lives, and I am honored to have played a role in that journey.
TAC: How do you feel about the current political landscape for chiropractic care? Should we be optimistic?
KG: Absolutely. The stars have aligned better than ever for chiropractic. With new leadership in health and human services prioritizing alternative and functional medicine, we have an unprecedented opportunity. Fifty percent of the NIH budget is now dedicated to these fields, meaning more research funding than ever before. The political climate is shifting in favor of natural health care, and we need to be prepared to take full advantage of this moment.
We have spent years advocating for the inclusion of chiropractic in healthcare policy, and now we are seeing doors open like never before. The acceptance of holistic and preventative health care has never been stronger. We are finally being recognized for what we’ve known all along — chiropractic is an essential and effective part of health care.
TAC: You were one of the founders of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. How has that shaped chiropractic’s role in media and politics?
KG: When I started the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) 21 years ago, our mission was simple: positive press for chiropractic. We needed a unified voice to educate the public and policymakers about our profession’s benefits. Now, we have built strong media relationships and made chiropractic a recognized part of healthcare discussions. Our ability to lobby effectively and create awareness has never been stronger.
We have also leveraged digital platforms to reach a broader audience, emphasizing the importance of chiropractic in proactive health management. Our partnerships with major media outlets, healthcare associations, and government agencies have positioned chiropractic in a way that simply wasn’t possible two decades ago. Today, F4CP is not only influencing public perception but is also a key driver in ensuring that chiropractic remains an integral part of the evolving healthcare landscape.
A History of Innovation
Foot Levelers’ history is marked by many impactful “firsts” beginning in 1952 with Dr. Monte’s ground-breaking Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers (still sold by Foot Levelers today). Chiropractors deliver the most advanced care to patients, and their technology and protocol should reflect that high level of expertise. Foot Levelers remains in the forefront of developing and offering new solutions and resources for optimal care:
TA C: What do chiropractors need to do to maximize this political momentum?
KG: We must be united. One of the biggest challenges in the past has been mixed messaging. If one group lobbies a senator with one agenda on Monday and another group presents a different agenda on Wednesday, we lose credibility. We need a singular, clear message when engaging with policymakers.
Legislation is the holy grail of our profession. Imagine fair pay, insurance coverage parity, and inclusion in Medicare and Medicaid. We must work together to make that a reality. The profession has come a long way, but we still need to stand together and ensure that our voices are heard at every level of government.
Unity is not just about messaging; it’s about action. Chiropractors must actively participate in their state and national associations, contribute to advocacy efforts, and educate their communities about the benefits of chiropractic. When we show a strong, united front, we become impossible to ignore.
TAC: How does the Chiropractic Summit contribute to these efforts?
KG: The Chiropractic Summit brings together all major organizations — colleges, vendors, professional associations — unified under one goal: advancing chiropractic. At our last summit, within 90 minutes of RFK Jr. ’s appointment to Health and Human Services, we sent a congratulatory letter signed by 35 key leaders in chiropractic. This is the kind of immediate, unified action we need to keep moving forward. It was an incredible moment that demonstrated what can happen when our profession works as one.
These summits foster collaboration, drive strategic planning, and ensure that chiropractic’s interests are represented at the highest levels. We’ve established direct relationships with policymakers, and the Chiropractic Summit provides a structured forum to keep those relationships strong and effective. By continuing to show up, engage, and take decisive action, we can secure the future of chiropractic as an essential healthcare service.
TAC: How does Foot Levelers contribute to chiropractic’s growth?
KG: Foot Levelers is, first and foremost, a chiropractic company. Everything we do is about supporting the adjustment and ensuring its effectiveness. My father, who founded Foot Levelers, always believed in stabilizing the body from the ground up. That’s why our first product wasn’t called an orthotic; it was called a spinal pelvic stabilizer. Our goal is to enhance the chiropractic adjustment’s longevity and impact.
Over the years, we’ve continued to innovate, ensuring that our products evolve with the needs of the modern chiropractor and their patients. Stability and alignment are crucial to wholebody health, and we take that mission seriously. We’ve also invested heavily in research, technology, and education to provide chiropractors with the tools they need to enhance patient outcomes and grow their practices.
TAC. What role does chiropractic play in addressing the opioid crisis?
KG: Chiropractors are saving lives. Every year, over 200 million opioid prescriptions are written. Of those, 40 million people become addicted. Many of those prescriptions start with a visit to an MD for back pain. If those patients saw a chiropractor first, they might avoid opioids entirely.
I wrote a paper for the Journal of Compensation Benefits advocating for chiropractic as the primary treatment for musculoskeletal pain. It’s a safer, proven alternative to pharmaceuticals. Chiropractic care is one of the most powerful solutions we have in combatting the opioid epidemic. The data is clear. Patients who see a chiropractor first for back pain have significantly lower rates of opioid use.
We need to continue spreading that message and ensuring that policy changes reflect what the research already supports. Chiropractic is a key player in addressing one of the most devastating public health crises of our time.
TAC: Foot Levelers has been a strong financial supporter of the profession. Why is that so important to you?
KG: Chiropractic saved my father’s life. He was paralyzed by a bad vaccine reaction and placed in an iron lung. He prayed to die. But when traditional medicine gave up on him, a chiropractor helped him walk again. He dedicated his life to chiropractic, and I’ve continued that mission.
We’ve given over $35 million back to the profession — not for recognition, but because we believe in it. Giving back is at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply committed to ensuring that chiropractic continues to grow and thrive. We support education, research, and advocacy initiatives because we know that a strong, unified profession benefits everyone — from individual practitioners to the millions of patients who rely on chiropractic care to lead healthier lives.
TAC: What’s your message to chiropractors as they look toward the future?
KG: This is our moment. The profession is finally being recognized for the value it brings to health care. Chiropractors need to seize this opportunity, unite under a common message, and continue advocating for fair treatment.
The best is yet to come — let’s make the most of it. We must be proactive, engaged, and relentless in our pursuit of greater acceptance and integration into mainstream health care. If we continue to work together, support one another, and advocate for our profession, we will achieve things that once seemed impossible. Chiropractic is not just a career; it’s a calling. And our time is now.
You can learn more about Foot Levelers and its mission to enhance chiropractic care by scanning the QR code!
NEW EPISODE
This interview has been transcribed and edited to enhance readability. For the full podcast go to www.tic-talk.net or scan the QR code to listen to the latest episodes of TAC "TIC" Talk.
