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The Reality of Healthy Aging

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If you had the opportunity to jump into a time machine and see your future self, would you take it? Would seeing your future self change anything about how you live your life? Would you be afraid of what the future holds? Unfortunately, people tend to gamble with their health and wellness starting when they are young, doing things like:

  • eating a lot of processed foods
  • binge eating
  • binge drinking
  • not exercising
  • smoking
  • not getting enough sleep
  • consuming too much fast food
  • looking at electronic devices much of the day

In our youth, our body can handle this wear and tear, then rebound quickly. As we age, the speed at which we rebound becomes much slower. Our body’s ability to recover from unhealthy habits becomes ineffective over time. Yet, if we look around us, how many people do you see that are out of shape, overweight, or obese? This didn’t happen overnight.

Aging does not mean we cannot enjoy life the way we did when we were younger. We can successfully age with awareness and accountability. Awareness means:

  • monitoring our daily activities.
  • making better food choices.
  • getting plenty of sleep each night.
  • drinking more water each day.
  • making exercise a priority.

In terms of accountability we can:

  • align ourselves with others who have similar goals.
  • seek out wellness professionals such as a chiropractor and massage therapist.
  • sticking with the perimeter at the grocery store, where most of the whole foods are located.
  • commit to ourselves with a written contract to live our best life now.

While we cannot prevent ourselves from aging, we certainly can help ourselves age better. Looking better, feeling better, sleeping better, and moving better will happen with awareness and accountability. We really don’t need a time machine to show us what a life of poor decisions can do to our body. We can simply look around us.

 

Maintaining Good Health Is Not a Luxury

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Luxuries in life include many things from exclusive vacations, exquisite dining, a day of pampering, to a sporty new car. We treat ourselves to these luxuries as a reward. The reward could be for hard work, getting through a difficult time, or celebrating a special occasion. Sometimes we treat things as a luxury even when it really isn’t. We experience it sporadically and lose interest when it isn’t fun anymore. A great example of this is with our health and wellness.

Gyms across the country are filled with people looking to get in shape and lose weight. They are decked out in the latest technology, shoes, and apparel. All too often this is not their first attempt at wellness. What makes this time any different than the others? Will this be the next attempt in a series? Why are we treating our health and wellness as if it were a luxury?

Being fit and in good health should be the standard, a priority. It should never be something we think about during the Holidays or just before bathing suit season. At the gym, personal trainers find that people are not interested in investing in their professional help. They have decided they will “do it themselves.” because their money was spent on technology, shoes, and their brand new apparel. Without realizing it, the person is sending a message that this “workout thing” is simply a luxury to them. Looking good on the surface is more important.

It’s time to set the bar higher for ourselves. Good health and overall wellness should never be considered a luxury that we occasionally partake in. It is a priceless asset that raises our quality of life. It is a commitment we make to ourselves every day, not as a reward, but as an essential foundation to our living.

Commit to Your Health

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Bringing a child to the grocery store is challenging. A battle typically ensues that is a balancing act between food that promotes good health and food that does not. When we grow up things are no different. We battle ourselves over how much we should indulge ourselves and how well we should eat. As an adult the difference is there is no one telling us ‘no.’ We are left to make decisions for ourselves; countless ones, each and every day.

We can face making too many bad choices over a long period of time. Things like too much fast food, not enough water or exercise, eating processed foods, and skimping on sleep. At some point in our life we second guess our bad choices. We want to change, but change can be difficult and it take time to see results.

However, change can happen if we are committed to ourselves. After awhile, poor lifestyle choices ultimately have a domino effect on our bodies from weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. It can even then lead to conditions like chronic pain in places like our back, neck, and legs.

A healthier life means surrounding yourself with others that have the same wellness goals as you. That doesn’t necessarily mean joining a health club (although those are fantastic places to find those people) but rather doing simple things like:

  • walking with a friend.
  • heading to the local farmer’s market and talking to the farmers about their produce.
  • packing a lunch for you and a co-worker instead of going out to eat.

It’s amazing how surrounding yourself with the right people in the right environment can inspire you. At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) we work hard to create an environment of wellness. We work hard to be a positive influence in people’s lives through weight loss, alleviating pain, strength training and healing gut issues. We are committed to your health, but are you committed too?

Adrenal Fatigue Progression

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There are four stages involved in the progression of adrenal fatigue as a result of stress:

  1. Alarm Reaction
  2. Resistance Response
  3. Exhaustion
  4. Failure

The first phase, Alarm Reaction, is also known as the fight or flight response. This is a necessary reaction to survival. The body kicks into high gear to deal with the stressor that the body has encountered which means an increase in cortisol.

In the second phase, Resistance Response, the stressor is still affecting the body’s ability to produce cortisol. This is a gradual process, but the result is that the adrenal glands simply cannot keep up. In the third phase adrenal exhaustion occurs. This phase might take a few years to occur and actually impact the sex hormones, too. The impact of the stressor takes a toll on the rest of the body, not just the adrenal glands. This happens because the body redirects energy to focus on cortisol production to keep up with demand. Imbalances in the sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and androgens) are a common precursor to adrenal failure.

The final phase of adrenal fatigue is failure. The glands are completely exhausted and the patient has a significantly higher chance of heart failure.

So what does this all mean to you? Well, think about the stress that is running rampant in our society. It seems that from the moment we wake up until the moment our heads hit the pillow at night, we are on the run. Running to prepare breakfast, get the kids off to school and ourselves to work. We also rush to get the errands run, dinner on the table, kids to games, practices, recitals, and meetings. Now what about homework, laundry, the dog walked and fed. When does it end?

Life is not a race. Every hour of the day is not meant to be filled with an excess of activities. We are not machines. There is a limit to what our body can do. If we treat it like a machine, we are equipping ourselves for failure. And this failure could cost us our life.

The Truth About Stressors

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Stress has become normal in today’s society. In fact, we have become so accustomed to living with it that we take it with us on vacation. Do we mistakenly believe that the level of stress in our life equates to how successful we are? Or that there is nothing we can really do about it? Perhaps we believe it really isn’t harming us because everyone is living this way. Maybe it’s time to seek the truth about stress, understanding the causes of it, and it’s impact on our body.

Stress is a natural response to something we find difficult, scary, worrisome, frustrating, or demanding. It is a survival mechanism that is physical in nature. However, it was never intended to be a constant state of being like it seems to be today. The adrenal glands, located on top of each kidney, allow our body to cope with the effects of stress through the release of hormones. One of the most important hormones released is called cortisol, because without this our body is unable to deal with the effects of stress.

You might be asking yourself, “what type of stress can cause problems?” Listed below are some of the more common stressors:

  • Chronic conditions such as fatigue, illness, infection, and pain
  • Excessive behaviors such as exercise, sugar consumption, and caffeine
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Late hours
  • Surgery
  • Depression

When faced with stressors, the body responses by stimulating the production of cortisol. You may recall the term “fight or flight.” The cortisol provides the energy necessary for the body to deal with the stressors. Over time, the continual release of cortisol exhausts the adrenal glands, yet cortisol is still produced. Our body is designed to help us survive, so this is the one hormonal system that does not shut down, especially during prolonged stress. This is not a good situation for our body and here’s why:

  • A consistently high cortisol level creates reduced insulin sensitivity which over time can lead to diabetes.
  • A lowered ability to fight infections.
  • An increased loss in bone mass which can lead to osteoporosis.
  • Increased fat around the waist.
  • Increased water and salt retention which can lead to high blood pressure.
  • Higher levels of estrogen which is linked to breast cancer and uterine fibroids.

The next blog post will focus on the progression of adrenal fatigue as a result of our chronic stressors.

Unhealthy Choices

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Going through each day is like walking through an amusement park. There are constant distractions in the form of unhealthy choices. It could be tempting desserts, a late night cocktail, a quick meal at a fast food restaurant, or vegetating on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn and a great flick. Our bed might just be too comfy to get out of early to work out. We need that extra boost of energy mid-day with a diet soda or a fancy coffee to get us through. Someone in the office brought in a cake to celebrate a milestone. There’s a box of donuts in the break room. The daily distractions that keep us off the path of wellness are too numerous to count. So what are we to do?

Maintaining a life of wellness requires discipline from an unhealthy lifestyle. Discipline because we need to be aware of our choices on a daily basis. Wellness also requires accountability to ourselves. We can make the wrong choice but should strive to do better the next time. To help with these daily distractions, it helps to surround ourselves with others who also want to live in wellness. It will be those people who will encourage us to avoid the distractions and make the better choice. Whether it be choosing water over soda, fresh fruit over cake, or going out for a walk versus sitting at home.

The team at DCW takes our role as your accountability partner very seriously. We act as your training wheels, holding you up until you are ready to sustain yourself. Minimizing the daily distractions and increasing your awareness of what your body is telling you. Helping you to understand the benefits of chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, proper nutrition, supplements, stretching and strength training. Education is the foundation to your success. Having the knowledge allows you to take those training wheels off and sustain the wellness you’ve created. It also allows you to know what your body need and when.

B12 Benefits Your Brain

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Getting older is a fact of life, even if we don’t necessarily like it. It doesn’t need to be a bad thing either, especially if we know there are things we can do to slow it’s progress and maintain a higher quality of life in the process. Mounting evidence is revealing that vitamin B12 actually slows the shrinking of the brain that commonly occurs after the age of 60. This is truly exciting news!

Brain shrinkage, also know as atrophy, results in a higher incidence of cognitive impairment. It is this mental decline that sets the stage for an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The evidence is revealing that if we can prevent brain atrophy, then perhaps we can also prevent this cognitive decline, too. A study published by JAMA Psychiatry in June of 2016 focused solely on B12. The results of this study indicated that “high blood levels of vitamin B12 can slow the shrinking of the brain” which is very common once a person reaches the age of 60.

Vitamin B12 provides another benefit, as well. It also lowers a chemical found in the blood called homocysteine. Homocysteine is found in high levels in individuals who eat a lot of animal protein with little fruits and vegetables. This chemical is thought to contribute to heart disease, brain atrophy and Alzheimer’s. The higher levels of vitamin B12 is overwhelmingly positive. It is the only supplementation that is able to slow brain shrinking, or atrophy, in human clinical trials. And, to date, there have been no drugs that have been able to do this at the same level. That feat is truly amazing.

Minimizing Health Regrets

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We’ve all seen those movies where the main character is reflecting on their life. The choices they made, their regrets, joys and failures. The movie typically focuses on their regrets. That one love that got away, fear that led them down a safer path, quitting too soon. While it may be the movies, there are undoubtedly parallels to our own lives, because truth be told, who wants to experience regret? The key to living a good life is minimizing one’s regrets, so when we look back on our golden years we can truly say, “well done!”

We can also apply this same rationale to our health. Many times poor health is the result of a series of decisions that contribute to it. This series of decisions can literally take years before we see the results such as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. When faced with the reality of our decisions it’s easy to think that we can simply get by with taking prescription medications. But this only masks the symptoms and does not get to the root of the problem. Getting to the root of the problem means taking a good hard look at the decisions we have made up until that point and deciding to change. Change what we eat, change our level of physical activity, change how we treat ourselves. Consider the symptoms a warning sign. A warning sign to minimize your health regrets in the future.

Yes, we can always take positive steps to change the outcome. We can take control of our daily decisions so that they help us be the best version of ourselves. We needn’t look back on our life with health regrets. We needn’t negatively impact the quality of our golden years. We can enjoy optimal health at every stage of life. It simply begins by making better decisions, every day. The choice is ours.

Education Advantage

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When we are young, we don’t fully understand the significance of our education, the advantages that a good education provides us. However, later in life, after experiencing many of its realities, we fully realize and appreciate the advantage of our education. Education can open doors for us that may not have opened without it. Education can open our eyes to things we may never have known about, that then in turn empower us. Knowledge can transform lives. It can also create value to those who receive it and increase the credibility of the one giving it.

How many encounters have you had with a representative from any company, big or small, that truly educated you on what you were purchasing or considering to buy? That number is probably rather small, but those experiences definitely left a positive impression on you, didn’t it? Think about how that person made you feel as they educated you on why a certain thing needed to be done, on how it would truly benefit you. Did you feel important? Did you feel valued? Did you trust that person more? Did you walk away feeling like you had the knowledge now to make the best decision for yourself?

Let’s face it, there are not many individuals who really take the time to provide you that much value. However, at Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) we make a concerted effort to educate and inform each and every one of our patients. Our goal is to ensure that every person who walks through our doors has a deeper understanding of true wellness and the power that they have to influence it. We aim for less reliance on medications to treat symptoms, but rather on addressing the cause of the symptoms. Only when this happens can transformation take place. We strive for an elevated quality of life.

When you understand the solution, you can make better choices for yourself and those you love. You also realize that the truth will indeed set you free.

 

Teenagers and Sleep

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Why is it the older we get the more we crave sleep? And the younger we are the more we think we can get away with little of it? The truth is that sleep is essential to our well being, it allows our body to refuel each day. A lack of sleep is cumulative. One night will not make up for several weeks of inadequate sleep, yet we seem to think that is the case. Just think about how much teenagers sleep.

It’s probably no surprise that a chronic lack of sleep has a severe impact on a person’s health. It has been increasingly documented that not getting enough sleep contributes to an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke. But why is this the case? While we are asleep our body has the opportunity to perform necessary repairs that can only happen when the body is quiet. This occurs in our digestive, respiratory, central nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems. Sleep allows our body:

  • to rest the neurons in our brain so that new pathways can be built.
  • to build up our immune system defenses to keep us healthy.
  • to prevent respiratory illnesses like a cold and the flu.
  • to prevent weight gain.
  • to control our appetite.
  • to repair itself.

Now, what about teenagers? Studies are showing that teenagers are more at risk for chronic sleep deprivation. It is not surprising that teenagers are typically sleep deprived, especially during the school year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently published a study that indicates teens who get less than 7 hours of sleep a night are more prone to dangerous behaviors. These behaviors include texting and driving, drinking and driving, riding with someone who has been drinking, or not wearing a seat belt. This is all compared to a teen who gets 9 or more hours of sleep a night.

Encourage enough sleep in your home. Consistency is key. Maintain a routine for bedtime. Be careful with napping, as 20-30 minutes is the ideal, otherwise one might have trouble falling asleep later. Get plenty of exercise each day. 30-60 minutes is a good range. Make healthy food choices. And, lastly, make sure that the bedroom is quiet, dark, and comfortable.

Good night!

OUR TEAM

Dr. Andrew Damron, Chiropractor

Why ChiropracticProfessional Experience Personal Information
Dr. Damron established DCW because he was fed up with the current health model. Statistics continue to show an increase in pharmaceutical prescriptions to patients every day. Although he does believe some medications are necessary, he believes the majority of what is prescribed is actually harmful to the patient’s long-term health, creating another set of healthcare issues as a result. Dr. Damron believes DCW’s unique approach to achieving overall wellness will revolutionize the healthcare industry through collaborative care utilizing chiropractic, massage therapy, rehabilitation, and nutrition. The DCW focus addresses the whole person versus a only symptom and uncovers the root cause. He also believes that education is vital to sustaining a healthier more vibrant lifestyle as well. His goal is to create a healthier society and a better place for our children to live.
Dr. Damron began his medical career with a Biology Degree from Wright State University in 2002. He went on to receive his Doctorate of Chiropractic from the prestigious Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida in 2007. While attending Palmer, he had the opportunity to travel abroad to Madagascar and provide chiropractic care to the native Malagasy people. Dr. Damron has continued his post-graduate studies with a focus on nutrition, rehabilitation, and functional medicine.
Dr. Damron and his wife, Kristy, reside in West Chester with their two young children, Graden and Isabelle. An avid Buckeye fan, Dr. Damron enjoys playing the guitar in a band with his college friends, watching/playing any sport, cooking, reading, and attending concerts, especially the Dave Matthews Band and Foo Fighters.

Dr. Greg Washam, Chiropractor

Why ChiropracticProfessional Experience Personal Information
Dr. Washam was introduced to Chiropractic by his mother at the age of 16. She was working for a Chiropractor at the time, experiencing all the benefits that Chiropractic care had to offer, and thus began taking Dr. Washam and his siblings in for regular adjustments. Dr. Washam had been experiencing painful bouts of Strep Throat from the age of 8, which always included a 10 day course of antibiotics. While under Chiropractic care his doctor convinced him to avoid the antibiotics and receive Chiropractic adjustments instead. To his amazement, Dr. Washam’s strep throat symptoms had vanished within three days and he never had an issue from that point forward. He was so astounded by his experience that he fell in love with Chiropractic and decided that was the path for him. He wanted to commit his life to helping people through the power of Chiropractic, just as it had helped him.
Dr. Greg Washam began his college education at the University of Cincinnati, studying biology. After he made the decision to become a Chiropractor, he attended Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, MO. While at Logan, he received his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Life Sciences in 2009. He received his Doctorate of Chiropractic in 2011. Dr. Washam was presented with various awards upon graduation. These included Dean’s List honors, the Senior Intern Assistant Award, and the Award of Excellence from the Division of Research. He has completed many hours of post graduate education focusing on nutrition, supplementation and injury recovery.
Dr. Washam and his wife Kassie reside in Mason, Oh with their two daughters, Lillian and Wren. In his free time, Dr. Washam enjoys cooking, exploring new restaurants, touring local craft breweries and reading. He also spends a great deal of time outdoors with his family and his Beagle, Willow. Dr. Washam is a music enthusiast and listens to all genres of music. He especially loves classic rock from the 60’s and 70’s. His favorite band of all time is Led Zeppelin.

Brooke Snyder, Operations Manager

Why DCWProfessional Experience Personal Information
Brooke had never been to a medical office where she really felt like they cared more about her than her money until she came to DCW as a patient. DCW made it so easy to arrange financial payment with, they were compassionate, dedicated and most importantly 100% honest. The team addressed all aspects of her health and well-being, above and beyond chiropractic care. Her initial impression of chiropractic offices were that they would only adjust then send her on her way. She realized that she was wrong. Because of her experience as a patient at DCW she realized she wanted to pursue a career within it. She saw everything she wanted in healthcare at DCW. Finally, a place where patient care really comes first! She comes to DCW with a degree in Nursing and a background in finance. When someone asks her “Why DCW?” she cannot think of one reason why not.
Brooke has a background in business finance and computer technology prior to the start of her medical career. She attended Southern State and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Science, R.N. Sh began working from DCW in December of 2014.
Brooke has five beautiful girls from 15 to 6 years old. She is married to Jamey Snyder who has two boys of his own. She lives on a two acre farm in the country with horses, dogs, cats, and a pot belly pig. Brooke enjoys spending time with her very active family and watching their kids play sports.

Nicole Foreman, Licensed Massage Therapist

Why MassageProfessional Experience Personal Information
Nicole always wanted a career that was focused on helping people. It wasn’t until she drove past the Dayton School of Medical Massage on a daily basis that it became clear what she was meant to do. She enrolled as soon as she could and it has been the best decision she has ever made. She loves the feeling of knowing she has alleviated someone’s pain and possibly made their day better in some way. She had been working alongside chiropractors for over 7 years before joining the DCW team. Before DCW she never really felt her opinions and insights were valued or even asked for, which she felt hindered patient care and the effectiveness of each treatment. At DCW she feels valued and part of a practice that is focused on changing the approach of wellness with cohesive and effective patient care.
Nicole is a graduate of the Dayton School of Medical Massage and obtained her license in 2008. She utilizes Deep Tissue, Swedish and Thai massage techniques to relieve pain, tension, and stress while increasing range of motion and flexibility.
Nicole is married to her husband of 5 years and they one daughter, Rylee, and one child on the way due in September 2016. As a family they enjoy camping, hiking and spending time at the lake during the summer.

Erika Pantona, Insurance Specialist

Why DCWProfessional Experience Personal Information
Erika started coming to DCW in 2010 after spending two years in substantial pain after an injury. She had spent those two years at various specialists and taking medications to simply get up in the morning due to the pain. She was 18 when she found herself facing a major, life altering surgery (SI Fusion) and realized there must be another way. When she began her treatment plan at DCW she started to have days with little or no pain. She stopped taking her medications and realized they had been affecting her overall mood. In 2015 Erika joined the DCW team because they allowed her to live her life once again. She wants to prevent others from living in pain like she did unnecessarily, and to receive the benefits of chiropractic care.
Erika is well versed in the insurance industry with her previous employment at Express Scripts and Anthem.
Erika has two siblings and resides in Liberty Township. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and hiking with her family.

Amy Faris, Patient Care Coordinator

Why DCWProfessional Experience Personal Information
After moving to Ohio in 2010, I was in need of some relief from minor pain associated with working in customer service fields for 15 years. I was interested in seeking alternative forms of therapy and found a chiropractor in our small town. After going for a few visits, the therapy seemed somewhat outdated compared to what I had researched. In talking with my husband, he remembered that he knew someone who was a chiropractor. After just a few visits with Dr. Damron, I definitely noticed a difference in his techniques and style. It was nice to see results and feel like I was being listened to as a patient, not just heard…something you don’t always feel with doctors. After being a patient for several years, the opportunity came about to join the DCW team. It would be something different from what I had done in my past, however I knew my passion for working with people would translate well into helping patients receive the best care possible. I believed in the mission of DCW as a patient, and I am excited to be part of living that mission every day. 
 I am originally from St. Louis, MO. I graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a degree in Secondary Education – Language Arts. I worked in restaurant/catering management for several years before starting a career in retail management and training.
In that position, I met my husband, Matt, who is from Wilmington, OH. After we got married in 2010, I moved to Wilmington. Realizing retail wasn’t where my heart was any longer, I began working as a substitute teacher in the Clinton County area. Matt and I live in Wilmington with our 6 year old German Shepard, Dale. I enjoy camping, boating, riding 4-wheelers, and spending time with family and friends. I love St. Louis Cardinals baseball and am a recently converted Cincinnati Bengals fan.

Hours

Monday 9-1 & 2-6

Tuesday 9-1 & 2-6

Wednesday 9-1 & 2-6

Thursday 9-1 & 2-6

Friday 8-11

Saturday and Sunday CLOSED

Contact information

 3187 Western Row Road Suite 114
    Maineville, OH 45039

Office:
     (513) 770-3434

Email:
    info@damronchiropractic.com