Blog - Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

Improving Senior Health Through Exercise

May 26, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Trends in obesity rates, especially in older adults, suggest a misconception that it’s too late to get healthy. In fact, more than a third of Americans over 65 are obese. There exists a falsehood that it is normal to lose good health as one ages. Perhaps it is due to the fear of falling or other injury, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle. Aches and pains associated with aging, also contribute to a decrease in activity. Unfortunately, this mindset only exasperates the increase in obesity. The truth is senior do benefit from exercise, no matter what their age.

New research is suggesting that overweight and obese senior citizens who want to lose weight should pursue aerobic exercise, strength training, and a healthy diet. A study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine involved older, obese older adults who scored in the “frail” range on a standard test. This group of 141 individuals were broken into three groups. One group did only aerobic exercise such as walking on a treadmill. Another focused on strength training, and the other on doing both. Lastly, there was also a control group that only attended nutrition classes, but did not diet or exercise.

The study ran for six months, with each non-control group exercising three times per week. At the conclusion of the study, all non-control groups lost weight. In fact, the average weight loss was 19 pounds. The most significant finding, however, was the improvement in frailty scores. Follow up testing involved mobility tasks such as walking up stairs, standing up, and picking up a coin. All three non-control groups improved their scores. The most improved was the combination group of aerobic exercise and strength training at 21%. The other two non-control groups averaged a 14% improvement.

So, what’s the lesson learned here? That it is never too late to get healthy. Older individuals can do more to help themselves live independently as they age. Plus, do it safely, without risk of injury. Age does not matter when it comes to living a healthy life.

Heartburn & Chronic Kidney Disease

May 23, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Good health is wealth. You can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have good health then so what. One could argue that the definition of good health is differs from person to person. That, in fact, it is quality of life that matters more than good health. Either way, how you choose to live your life is key, regardless of limitations that may be out of your control. Such limitations could be type 1 diabetes, paralysis, or even arthritis. However, when we limit ourselves due to our own choices, who are we to blame if our quality of life suffers? Even if we don’t blame ourselves, perhaps denial has a part to play.

A recent article in the Cincinnati Enquirer (5/21/17) questioned the safety of heartburn medications. It appears there is a correlation between the use of certain drugs and chronic kidney disease. Upon further research, the overuse of these drugs called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, is of greater concern. The two most common PPIs are Nexium and Prilosec, both of which are very effective at treating reflux, ulcers, and heartburn. The overabundance of marketing has increased the use of these drugs in treating even minor indigestion. This is also a concern because it leads to a chronic dependence on these drugs.

Labeling indicates only a short-term use of PPIs, from a few weeks to a few months. However, people tend to use them for much longer, typically for years. Feeling good once again, people forget that the drug was only designed and approved by the FDA for a much shorter duration. Consequently, evidence suggests a correlation between PPIs and chronic kidney disease, which is now resulting in a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturers. The question we need to ask ourselves is why? Why the over-dependence on prescription medications when it is only a “band-aid” approach, at best? Why not take the time to uncover the true cause of the reflux, ulcers, and heartburn?

Perhaps the truth is that medications are too easy to get and take. Or perhaps we would rather not change our lifestyle to be healthier and settle for what we have always done. Chiropractic care allows you to improve your quality of life without the use of prescription medications. When stomach acid is not at the right levels a person experiences reflux and ulcers. PPIs work to block an enzyme that releases acid in the cells that line the stomach. A chiropractor will use supplementation, diet, and nutrition to heal the lining of the stomach first. Once this healing has occurred, the next step is to bring the stomach acid back into balance using supplements.

The “band-aid approach” comes with too many risks. While quality of life may appear to improve on the surface, it isn’t. The trade-off is a temporary fix for a chronic condition that could be far worse than the original problem. Do yourself a favor and seek to heal yourself inside and out through chiropractic care.

Combating Cancer With Food

May 19, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

As of January 2016, more than 15.5 million Americans were cancer survivors. The World Cancer Research Fund estimates that 20% of U.S. cancers are the cause of poor lifestyle choices. These choices led to excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol over-consumption, and poor eating habits. In other words, many cancers are preventable. In our quest for survival after diagnosis, a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry is thriving with drugs that end up destroying the very body we are trying to save.

We trust that the Western diet will feed us yet also be friendly to our wallet. Food that is convenient, fast, and easy is our expectation today. There is a false belief that if the food is available for purchase it must be okay to eat. Doesn’t our government protect us from things that can harm us?

The reality is that cancer a disease where abnormal cells develop and grow out of control. If left unchecked, it results in death. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are the three primary means to destroy cancer. All three have debilitating side effects associated with them. But what more can a person do to either prevent it from happening in the first place, or make sure it never returns? Turns out that there are certain foods that can actually help us do just that.

In 2007, a book was published titled, “Anticancer: A New Way of Life” by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, a two time brain cancer survivor. After his second diagnosis he began his quest to determine how foods can help our body fight cancer. As not only a doctor but a researcher as well, he used science to uncover the truth. A truth that explains why the traditional American diet aids in creating the ideal conditions for disease. How and why stress and sugar fuel cancer. Plus the foods that reduce the risk of developing certain cancers. For example, leafy greens reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by 75% or green tea reduces the risk of colorectal by 57%. Additionally, the book explains how certain foods affect the body and why we either want to eat them or not.

No one wants to hear the words “you have cancer.” But whether you have or haven’t there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family with not only the food choices you make but how you life your life each day. Nutrition plays a much larger role in our lives than we think.

Can Chiropractors Treat Depression?

May 17, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Mental illness is a phrase that relates to any number of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behavior. These conditions can range from depression and anxiety to obsessive compulsiveness and autism. Today, what is most alarming, is the significant increase in people suffering from mental illness, specifically depression and anxiety. Yet, the most troubling is the increase among our youth. A recent article in Dynamic Chiropractic (May 2017) titled “Is It Time to Rethink Mental Illness? (Pt.1)” challenged society’s current approach to treating this trend.

Current remedies involve a doctor’s prescription intended to correct the chemical imbalance associated with a particular mental illness. The author of this article, Dr. Timothy Perenich, cited research that revealed this treatment to be ineffective. In other words, this research questions the chemical imbalance theory most doctors rely on. However, if this theory was true, “the drugs given to correct the imbalance should demonstrate clear efficacy.” (p.28) The author continued by stating, “In fact, evidence shows not only are these drugs largely ineffective, but they’re also dangerous.”

Unlike other diseases such as cancer and diabetes, many mental illnesses have no clear causes. Furthermore, they cannot be identified by common tests like an MRI or blood test. A diagnosis is actually an opinion. Dr. Perenich highlighted a direct correlation between the increase in diagnosed mental illnesses and the drugs available to treat them. The question we need to ask ourselves is who benefits? It definitely is not the patient looking for help.

Dr. Perenich is a Doctor of Chiropractic. His article challenges us to think about mental illness differently. That, perhaps, more can be done to treat a person suffering from depression or anxiety rather than with drugs. This is especially true with our youth. The side effects alone are enough to encourage a parent to look elsewhere for help. Some drugs can double the risk of suicide. Even the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded in 2010 that the most commonly prescribes drugs are not an effective treatment for depression.

So, what does this doctor suggest? Looking at the patient as a whole, in addition to taking all factors into consideration to find the hidden source of the depression symptom. Recent studies are showing that inflammation is linked to depression. This is associated with autoimmune diseases such as lupus and celiac. The field of chiropractic relies on a holistic approach. Looking at ALL factors that may contribute to a symptom like depression. Chiropractic care does not utilize any prescription medications to remedy a condition. Rather, a chiropractor relies on natural healing through herbs and nutrients, spinal adjustments, rehabilitation, and medical massage.

The current approach our society is taking is not working. Seems like looking through a different lens may be all it takes to find a solution.

Chiropractic Adjustment, Not Manipulation

May 11, 2017 By Pam Rezai 2 Comments

A recent article in Chiropractic Economics (10/6/16), highlighted something that is often misunderstood in the field of chiropractic. Titled “Manipulation vs. Adjustment,” the article addressed the differences between these two words and how each relates to something different in healthcare. However, people tend to use words interchangeably, without realizing they are actually using the wrong word. For example, using the word complement instead of compliment, of affect instead of effect. We can think terminology is all the same. But that doesn’t make it correct. So, what difference does it make if a person says a chiropractor uses manipulation rather than a spinal adjustment?

The reality is that it does make a big difference for three reasons. First, using a word incorrectly with someone who knows the correct usage sends the wrong message about you. Secondly, using the wrong term leads the other person to conclude something that may not be true. How can someone make an informed decision with only half-truths? Finally, words have the power to change perspectives. Why do people distrust politicians or lawyers?

The point is manipulation and adjustment may appear to be interchangeable as it relates to chiropractic care, but they are not. Manipulation is used in physical therapy and defined as “the forceful passive movement of a joint beyond its active limit of motion.” There are reasons why a physical therapist performs manipulation on a patient. However, if a chiropractor used manipulation on a person’s spine it would not be good. Rather, a chiropractor performs spinal adjustments, which is the opposite of manipulation. The adjustment is a corrective thrust used to unlock a vertebrae that is out of alignment. It is this misalignment that is irritating a nerve, which in turn is causing the pain.

A chiropractor has one goal, to restore the body to its ideal state. One where the body functions as it should, without pain or limited range of motion. This happens with an adjustment, not manipulation.

Feet and Back Pain

May 9, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an internationally known tourist attraction that draws millions of visitors each year. Located in Pisa, Italy, this bell tower built during medieval times began tilting to one side once construction got to the 2nd floor. Upon completion, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was leaning 15 feet because its foundation was too soft. As a result, during the almost 200 years it took to built (war caused 100 year gap in construction), the builders tried desperately to offset the leaning, even until present day.

The foundation of anything has a profound effect on the rest of the structure. While many things can be done to remedy the leaning, if the foundation is not addressed, ultimately the problem will still exist. There are many parallels between this tower and the human body.

Feet are the foundation to the human body. At birth, most people have perfect feet. By the age of 20, 80% of those have developed a problem. By the time a person is 40, most have some sort of foot condition. If our feet are our foundation, most of us are just like the Tower of Pisa. However, unlike the tower, we don’t tilt or lean. Instead, our hips, back, shoulders, and neck compensate for our problem foundation. Think of a zigzag line. The line begins at our feet. To offset the instability of the feet, the hips lean to one side. The back then offsets that by leaning to the other side. See the zigzag effect? This situation is what contributes to what is commonly called back pain.

Orthotic support plays a significant role in providing an effective treatment when this condition presents itself. A chiropractor can correct the misalignment of the spine, hips, and neck with adjustments, plus provide heel lifts, as well. With an improved foundation, the rest of the body must relearn its proper position. Effective chiropractic treatment will work to correct the problem and eliminate the back pain. Our feet give us our mobility. We needn’t sacrifice that as we age. Rather, we should do what we can to protect it.

Rehabilitation With Chiropractic Care

May 4, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Rehabilitation is an often overlooked piece of the wellness puzzle. We can be so focused on alleviating our pain today that a long-term solution is not considered. A proactive chiropractor will incorporate this key piece into their treatment. It will ensure that the source of the pain is not only alleviated, but corrected as well. The body must relearn its proper function. Otherwise it will go back to how it was before and the pain will return.

Pain is a powerful motivator. However, it typically needs to reach a certain point for us to actually do anything about it. Thresholds of pain vary from person to person. People can live with chronic pain and rationalize it away. But why should anyone get use to anything, especially pain?

Resolving pain is a journey for many individuals. It can start with taking over the counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen. But that only masks the symptoms. It does nothing to correct the source of the problem. Again, pain is a powerful motivator because once it’s gone life resumes. But over time, simple over-the-counter medications no longer work. Pain then motivates a person to see their primary care provider. Prescriptions are written for pain. Symptoms have yet again been addressed, but the cause still exists. By the time a person walks through the doors of Damron Chiropractic & Wellness, they have seen countless doctors and the pain is still there.

Chiropractic care is individualized. This means that treatment addresses the unique problems a person is experiencing. It is not a “one size fits all” solution. Chiropractors are beginning to realize that some patients require a retraining. A retraining of certain muscles to prevent the body from returning to the position it was in when they first arrived at the office. Enter rehabilitative care.

Rehabilitation is an effective means to improve strength and mobility. This approach allows the patient to rebound faster. It also has lasting effects, too. Pain does not return as it had before with other remedies. Muscles are no longer able to pull the bones back to their old position. A position that caused the pain. Rehab allows muscles to do the job they were originally designed to do.

If pain is your constant companion, consider seeing a chiropractor that has a multi-disciplinary practice. One that utilizes rehabilitation to give you the relief you have been searching for. Don’t let it be your last option on your journey to become pain-free. Appreciate the intricate nature of your body. Understand the effects daily wear and tear can have. It took years of living to get to where you are today. Results are not instant. But results will be worth it if you are patient and give your body time to change.

Gout and Chiropractic Care

May 2, 2017 By Pam Rezai 1 Comment

When cells die, which happens at a rate of millions per second, they release substances called purines. Purines are broken down into uric acid which is then removed by the kidneys. Sometimes there is more uric acid than the kidneys can eliminate. When this happens, the uric acid content in the body steadily increases. This condition, called hyperuricemia, can lead to the development of crystals in the joints and tissues. It is these crystals that cause the pain and inflammation associated with gout.

It is common for the pain to register at a 9 or 10 by those who suffer from this condition. This pain can last for several days, too. In addition to pain, other symptoms of gout include:

stiffness
swelling
redness
tenderness

The occurrence of gout has been documented for over 4,000 years. It was once considered a king’s disease due to the foods that triggers its onset, which are all high in purine as well:

alcohol
red meat
shellfish
organ meats

Gout is a form of arthritis that typically manifests itself in the joint of the big toe. Other areas include the joints of the knees, feet, and ankles. The first common sign is pain and swelling of the big toe, with men over the age of 45 more likely to suffer from this condition. However, other health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or kidney disease are present first. But gout does not discriminate. Both young and old, male and female can develop it.

Chiropractic care is an often overlooked treatment option for gout sufferers to alleviate pain with adjustments, therapeutic medical massage, and dietary supplements. Unfortunately, many of the medications prescribed to treat this condition come with serious side effects. These include stomach pain, headache, nausea, diarrhea, rash, elevated blood pressure, and decreased kidney function.

A chiropractor can help a gout sufferer manage their symptoms holistically and without side-effects. Including help with diet and exercise. The ultimate goal is improving quality of life, minimizing or eliminating pain, and improving mobility.

Surprise Junk Foods You Didn’t Know Were Junk Foods

April 27, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

You’re finally ready. Finally ready to change your eating habits, join a gym, all to lose weight and get healthy. You start by researching different diets online, looking at supplements, and various nutritional products. In the end, you determine you are going to stay away from junk food, anything highly processed, eat more fruit, vegetables, and lean protein like chicken. You’re thinking, how hard can this be? Staying away from junk food is easy. Or is it?

If we walk through a grocery store we can easily spot junk food – donuts, cakes, chips, pizza, ice cream, and candy. It seems to be everywhere. In fact, we may be unintentionally eating junk food, without even knowing it.

The weight loss industry is worth $60 billion dollars (2016), with a lot of repeat customers. And try as we might to eat as healthy as possible, junk food might still be sneaking into our daily diet. Here are the most common offenders that most people don’t realize are not as nutritious for us as we think:

Peanut Butter – While peanut butter is a good source of protein and low in carbohydrates, it can also contain sugar and salt. Check labels before adding it to your cart to be sure it contains only peanuts.
Yogurt – Many brands are loaded with sugar and artificial colors.
Soy Meat – Soy contains potentially disruptive endocrines that can cause bloating and skin irritation.
Veggie Chips – Similar to potato chips with high sodium and trans fats.
Whole Wheat Bread – Many varieties contain high fructose corn syrup.
Dried Fruit – Producers add sugar and preservatives to the dried fruit to make it more tasty.
Electrolyte Drinks – Most are loaded with artificial colors and sweeteners.
Gluten-free Snacks – Gluten-free does not equal losing weight.
Deli Meats – Stay away from the deli!
Egg Substitutes – This is not a whole food. It is man-made and filled with artificial everything.
Tri-Color Pasta – The vegetable portion is not enough to justify calling it healthy. Tri-color pasta is still loaded with carbohydrates.
Low-Fat Salad Dressing – Just because something is low-fat does not mean it is good for you. Many of these dressings contain sugar, preservatives, artificial colors and salt. It’s easier to make your own dressing from scratch.
Fruit Cocktail – Loads of syrup and sugar. Plus the BPA lining of the cans is dangerous to our health.
Margarine – Is nothing more than fake butter. Not a whole food.
Spinach Tortillas – Same as whole wheat bread and tri-color pasta. Virtually similar to regular tortillas from fiber to carbohydrates.
Couscous – Made from wheat, therefor a form of pasta.
Honey Roasted Nuts – Can you say “sugar coated candy”?
White Rice Sushi – White rice is not as nutritionally dense as the brown rice. Plus, many varieties of sushi contain creamy sauces or fried toppings, both which are not healthy.
Frozen Diet Meals – Check the ingredients. Most contain a lot of salt, sugar, and preservatives.
Granola Bars – Most contain sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

You can make better choices when it comes to losing weight when you know the truth.

Myth #8: Chiropractic Care Doesn’t Work

April 25, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Myth #8: Chiropractic care doesn’t work.

First, let’s set the record straight – chiropractic works.

When we don’t have all the information, it’s much easier to make assumptions. We make assumptions about people before we really know them. School rivalries exist. As a result, these rivalries create distorted impressions that may or may not be true. So, it makes logical sense to believe that chiropractic care doesn’t work. Most people believe that to be the truth. In fact, approximately 80% of the population think that way. Unfortunately, that 80% does not have all the information necessary to justify believing that.

Have you ever made an assumption about someone, then got to know them and realized you were wrong? You might even have thought how different your life would be if they weren’t in it. How sad you would be if you didn’t get to know them. Or perhaps you bought in to the reputation of a particular college and one day your teenage son decides he might want to go there. After touring the campus and learning more about the college’s programs you discover that you were wrong.

The field of Chiropractic is just like that. Distorted by false information and assumptions. Truth be told, many of our patients originally believed that spinal adjustments don’t work or were ineffective. Some even admitted to reluctantly coming to their initial appointment. Yes, there is a lot of information out there. So much that it can be difficult to make any sense of it all or know what to believe. However, the best way to determine the truth about whether or not chiropractic care works is to look for those with personal experience. This can be through written testimonials, case studies, or even comments on social media sites like Facebook.

Determining the truth means advocating for yourself. It means taking the time to find reputable information from credible sources. Because in the end, you need to know that chiropractic works.

Improving Senior Health Through Exercise

Heartburn & Chronic Kidney Disease

Combating Cancer With Food

Can Chiropractors Treat Depression?

Chiropractic Adjustment, Not Manipulation

Feet and Back Pain

Rehabilitation With Chiropractic Care

Gout and Chiropractic Care

Surprise Junk Foods You Didn’t Know Were Junk Foods

Myth #8: Chiropractic Care Doesn’t Work

OUR TEAM

Dr. Andrew Damron, Chiropractor

Dr. Greg Washam, Chiropractor

Brooke Snyder, Operations Manager

Nicole Foreman, Licensed Massage Therapist

Erika Pantona, Insurance Specialist

Amy Faris, Patient Care Coordinator

Hours

Contact information