From Vegas to Capitol Hill: The Chiropractor Who Refuses to Stay in His Lane

When we launched the Crackin’ Backs Podcast three and a half years ago, we never imagined we’d one day be sitting on stage in front of a live audience at one of the largest chiropractic conventions in the country. And yet, here we were—Orlando, Florida—lights up, mics hot, and hundreds of chiropractors leaning in to hear a conversation that was anything but ordinary.

Our first live show.
Our first guest to take the stage.
And one of the profession’s loudest disruptors: Dr. Jason Jaeger.

This wasn’t a lecture. It wasn’t a TED Talk. It was raw, unfiltered, and provocative.

Because how do you introduce a man who refuses to stay in one lane?

• Jason was lobbying in Washington before most chiropractors even finished their boards.

• He engineered spinal rehab devices that changed how thousands of patients recover.

• He built bridges between chiropractors, MDs, and PTs—while still raising a family in the city that never sleeps.

And that was just his warm-up.

Fighting Prejudice with a Spine
Early in the show, Dr. Jaeger shared what it was like to knock on congressional doors as a chiropractic student, asking for a seat at the table. Imagine being told to your face—by grown men and women in lab coats—that you were a “quack.” Imagine being paid $34, no matter what service you performed, exam or X-ray, rehab or adjustment.

And then imagine refusing to accept it.

Jaeger’s career is defined by one principle: “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re what’s for dinner.” That line landed hard with our live audience—and it should land hard with you too.

Medicare, Money, and the $140 Billion Question
Here’s the bombshell: if chiropractors were reimbursed fairly for what we’re already trained to do—rehab, exams, and spinal care beyond just the adjustment—the profession could see up to $140 billion flow into its ecosystem.

Think about that.

• Cultural authority changes overnight.

• Research grows.

• Schools thrive.

• And chiropractors finally get recognized (and paid) as spine experts, not second-class providers.

But there’s a catch.
We’ve been our own worst enemy—circling the wagons and shooting inward instead of uniting. Jaeger called it out live, and the room went dead silent.

From Jousting Knight to Reluctant Healer
The show wasn’t just policy and politics—it was personal.

Jaeger told the story of being 18 years old, working as a jousting knight at the Excalibur in Vegas (yes, in full armor), when a car accident nearly ended his career before it started. His mother dragged him—kicking and screaming—to her chiropractor.

That chiropractor changed his life.

Not only did she get him back in the fight, she planted the seed that would eventually lead him to chiropractic school, to invention, to lobbying, and to reshaping the profession itself.

Truth Bombs and Challenges
When asked what single truth bomb could change chiropractic forever, Jaeger didn’t hesitate: unity.

“Could we stop tearing each other down and finally work together for chiropractic?” he asked. “Different techniques, different approaches, but one common voice. Legislators and the media are waiting for us to get consistent. Until then, they’ll keep dividing us.”

And if that wasn’t provocative enough, he dropped this:

“The average age of a chiropractor right now is 55. Enrollment is declining. We need to be the profession that people want to enter when they Google it, when they ChatGPT it, when they look for purpose. And we need to be paid enough to make it viable.”

Why This Episode Matters
This wasn’t just a podcast. It was a movement, live on stage in Orlando.

Dr. Jason Jaeger brought fire, honesty, and vision to the mic, and whether you’re a chiropractor, a healthcare provider, or someone who’s been told “chiropractic doesn’t work”—you need to hear this.

Because what if chiropractic isn’t just about pain relief?
What if it’s about cultural authority, research, unity, and a future where spinal health is finally given the respect it deserves?

That’s the conversation we had. And trust us—you don’t want to miss it.

🎙️ Watch or listen to the full episode here → HERE
🔗 Learn more about Dr. Jason Jaeger’s work → HERE

And if this fires you up, share it. Post it. Send it to a colleague. Because conversations like this don’t just happen—they change the future of our profession.