Healthy communities don’t happen by accident. They require leadership. The business community of Buckhead in Atlanta, GA, recently honored 100 Year Lifestyle Affiliated chiropractor Dr. Bruce Salzinger for his ongoing commitment and community leadership. Like so many of the providers connected with this movement, Dr. Salzinger gives his time, energy and expertise to make his part of the world a better place, creating healthier people and a healthier environment.
Dr. Salzinger has been a practicing chiropractor for 30 years in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. Community service and involvement have always been one of his core values and he has set a good example of leadership from a 100 Year Lifestyle perspective.
Dr. Bruce received a prestigious award from the Buckhead Business Association. In this interview, he speaks with Dr. Plasker about the importance of community involvement and taking a long-term perspective on health and wellness.
Interview
Dr. Eric Plasker: Dr. Bruce, congratulations! Tell us about this important award you’ve received from the Buckhead Business Association.
Dr. Bruce Salzinger: I’ve been a member of the Buckhead Business Association for 26 years. The BBA is a business organization serving the greater Buckhead community for over 52 years. The event took place at the Intercontinental Hotel on June 13,2019 for the pupose of honoring the first responders of the police and fire department and the community service providers. I was honored with the Karl A. Bevins Community Service Award, in recognition of exemplary service to the Buckhead Community. a very proud achievement, I was very blessed to receive the call to be recognized for this honor. It was truly a labor of love to just be a member of our community. It takes a village, and I’m just one cog in that wheel, but it gives me great pride to see the community’s progress over the years and know that I was a part of it.
Dr. Plasker: I love how you always acknowledge all the people around you that you work with. Community service is so important. I know a lot of our 100 Year Lifestyle affiliate doctors, chiropractors, are involved in their community. Why is it so important for people to get involved?
Get Involved
Dr. Salzinger: Well for those of us who step up as health care providers for individuals and families, that’s really what we’re doing in our office every day. We ask, How can I help you? We’re passionate–it’s our pleasure and privilege to deliver unique chiropractic services that are customized for each and every person. But well beyond that, you have the community. Members of the community, our neighbors and families need to see we care. Community services like Habitat for Humanity, the Atlanta Food Bank, the River Keepers Association, Toys for Tots or cleaning up the facilities we use every day, we cannot take any of these things for granted. And it behooves us to get out there and do our part–every one of us.
Dr. Plasker: Absolutely. And you know, there’s the Yin and the Yang because there’s a lot of people that aren’t doing their part. We need more of us doing our part to make communities better.
Lead
Dr. Salzinger: To reinforce, the first thing that came to my mind is you’ve got to step up and lead. You’ve got to get out there, and you’ve got to have a voice. The good in our hearts and souls helps others that are challenged and in need. We need more people stepping up and doing the things that need to be done. Simple. Leading by example and pointing these things out and taking action. To lead by example also instills confidence and trust–values that you hope to earn in your community. Dr. BJ Palmer said, “You never know how far reaching something you say, think or do may influence someone else and change their lives.”
Dr. Plasker: So true. And I know one of the things that you do to lead is you do complimentary lectures, you give talks in the community for free, you donate your time. Speaking about the 100 Year Lifestyle. and many other health related topics. We just saw a report on Fox News that people are living longer than ever. You are a leader in this movement helping people live healthier longer. Years ago you were one of the first people, I believe, to really adopt this principle inside your practice that we are going to live longer than we ever thought and keeping ourselves healthy along the way, it’s become a core part of your mission at Chiropractic Healthcare of Buckhead. I appreciate that you donate that time. Why do people need to think and act differently as it relates to the longevity and their health today?
Get Off Your Assets
Dr. Salzinger: The reality for most people is based on the amount of years that they believe they will live, this is how they keep score, so to speak. I say yes…great to the amount of years, but what’s the quality of those years? You have to take the time to invest in yourself. You have to have the desire to get out there and show up.
Dr. Plasker: What do you mean by that?
Dr. Salzinger: You hope to keep what’s running your body strong and healthy and make this a lifestyle. You have eat well and exercise, of course. Your mother said it best, “Sit up straight, eat your fruits and veggies, go outside and play, and get off your assets.” Chiropractic care is certainly what keeps the connection between the brain down the spinal cord and out to the body healthier. This is a vital and often neglected. Then you use those tools to show up throughout the years, however many you are blessed to have, and most likely with those tools, you’re going to live longer, more productive lives than you thought. The investment you make now is the dividend that will afford you the enjoyment, long life with your family and loved ones around you.
The Goal
Dr. Plasker: Well, that’s certainly our goal and we want that for the world. There’s so many people in assisted living centers today. People in Alzheimer’s treatment centers, care centers as they age, that didn’t get there because of their age. They got there because they took care of themselves in a way that was not conducive to quality of life all along the way. And because we’re getting this advanced notice, there’s so much wisdom that’s locked up in those bodies that can’t communicate and make a difference in the world. And so we have this opportunity now with this advanced notice to age in style with health and vitality and raise our children this way. You’re doing an awesome job! Any final thoughts as we wind down this interview?
Responsibility
Dr. Salzinger: It is our responsibility to not only understand that for ourselves, but pass these principles along to the generations coming up through the ranks so they don’t make the same mistakes that the older generations made, believing there’s a “pill for every ill.” That is not the answer. The answer is above, down, inside, and out.
Dr. Plasker: Well, what a great message to bring to the people. Thank you for volunteering to bring that message to so many individuals, companies, and organizations and congratulations on your award. We’re proud of you.
Dr. Salzinger: Thanks so much, Dr. Eric.
Dr. Bruce Salzinger is a graduate of Life University in Marietta, GA.