But sometimes those efforts bring little satisfaction. "I had very little response, even though the shows were interesting and well thought out," Dr. Sabatino remarked of the cable program. "I was getting frustrated with the amount of involvement and lack of response."
But on March 10, 1999, Dr. Sabatino found a larger audience. It began on Dr. Sabatino's drive home from work as he listened to the "Conway and Steckler" program on KLSX-FM, the highest rated radio talk show in the 7:00-10:00 p.m. time slot in southern California.
"Tim Conway, Jr., complained about his back and how much pain he was in," recalls Dr. Sabatino. "He stated that he was on the floor doing the show and wanted some doctors to call in to give him some advice."
Dr. Sabatino called KLSX and was put on the air. "Four other doctors were on ahead of me," said Dr. Sabatino. "Two were MDs and pushed anti-inflammatories. Those two doctors didn't have a clue when it came to a probable musculoskeletal problem, let alone a differential diagnosis. The other two were DCs who didn't take advantage of being on the airwaves.
"They liked what I had to say and took my number. I told them I'd come down and treat Tim there at the radio show on Wilshire Boulevard in the heart of Los Angeles. They called me back in 30 minutes, and I was on my way down there with my portable table."
Dr. Sabatino arrived at 8:30, about halfway through the Conway and Steckler show, ready to answer the hosts' questions. "I was able to have fun and make some good points about the positive benefits of chiropractic care." He spoke of the safety of the chiropractic adjustment and the qualifications of chiropractors. He also touched on the conflict between the AMA and chiropractic.
Dr. Sabatino pointed out one possible source of Conway's back pain: a thick wallet that the DJ carried in his back pocket. "I told him to take out his "George Costanza" wallet from his back pocket and to never put it there again," Dr. Sabatino said. "I explained about how his wallet unlevels the pelvis and how, over time, it can create spinal problems."
When the program was over, Dr. Sabatino adjusted Conway at the station. "It was a wonderful experience. They said that they would love to have me on again. I am glad that I was able to step up to the plate when I had the opportunity."
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