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Chiropractic Adjustment, Not Manipulation

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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.

Myth #6: Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt

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Myth #6: Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt.

Remember when you were young and seeing a particular food for the first time. Or, what about your child, the first time you introduced them to a new vegetable. Any new food, especially one that does not present itself well on a plate or smell particularly appetizing, can be a big turn-off. Likewise, trying something new like parasailing, or snorkeling, or even zip-lining can be daunting. We may even be afraid. However, our fears and uncertainty should never be a deciding factor in whether or not we try something for the first time.

It may come as no surprise that many misconceptions exist about what a chiropractor does. Perhaps the most common one is that chiropractic adjustments hurt. The movements the chiropractor make are quick and somewhat forceful. The doctor is also in very close proximity to the patient, too. Much of this is so foreign to people that they think it must hurt, otherwise why aren’t more people doing it?

If you ask anyone who has had an adjustment done, they will tell you that it does not hurt. In fact, what they will tell you that once they get up from the table they feel great. It’s like their body was similar to a pressure cooker and they didn’t know how much pressure until they were adjusted. The relief is felt throughout the body, from the joints, to the muscles, and tendons.

One other thing that may startle new converts to chiropractic care is the popping sound one might hear during an adjustment. This popping sound is simply the joint gasses in the joint fluid releasing. It isn’t harmful. It isn’t painful. Actually, it is just like cracking your knuckles. If it was painful, kids wouldn’t do it so much, would they?

Myth #5: Once you start seeing a chiropractor you can never stop

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Myth #5: Once you start seeing a chiropractor you can never stop.

This is the most interesting of all the myths. Perhaps because it uses the word never, like it’s some sort of consequence for choosing to see a chiropractor. It is incredibly easy to create a distorted viewpoint if you do not have all the facts. History has shown us that time and again, from thinking the world is flat to the moon being made of cheese. Likewise, the chiropractic healthcare profession has suffered from the same distortion at the hands of pervasive misinformation.

Yes, there are certain things in life you can never stop:

  • breathing
  • eating
  • drinking water
  • sleeping
  • paying taxes

However, chiropractic care is definitely not one of them, because here are the facts:

  • Many people choose to seek treatment from a chiropractor because they are in pain. Once the source of the pain is corrected, further adjustments can go one of two ways – as needed or stopping. The ultimate goal is educating the patient on how to listen to their body. By listening, they will know if their body is out of alignment and needs adjusting.
  • Wellness care is an option that some individuals choose from a chiropractor, rather than waiting for a problem to arise. As a result, this means periodic visits to keep their body in alignment. This is considered preventative healthcare. Still, the patient dictates when they seek out care, because it could be once a month or once a week.
  • A chiropractor is a person’s partner on their journey to wellness. Just as a dentist or an optometrist is.
  • Sometimes is takes time to correct a problem for a patient, due to the length of time they have been suffering from the ailment. This is normal. It is similar to how braces slowly move teeth. A person can wear braces for up to 2 years to get that perfect smile.

The truth is that seeing a chiropractor does not keep you going forever. Seems like chiropractic care is one of the best kept secrets out there today.

Standards of Care in Chiropractic

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standard of care

Standard, defined as “a level of quality or attainment.” Synonyms for the word standard are quality, guideline, norm, and ideal. Our daily life involves many standards, or guidelines, of care including:

  • the food pyramid
  • an academic grading scale
  • recommended daily physical activity
  • ideal weight
  • adequate sleep
  • water intake
  • alcohol consumption
  • medical check-ups

Research helps to define the standards we live by today. For example, the surgeon general determined after conclusive research that smoking was bad for your health, specifically linked to lung cancer. Therefore, not smoking is a standard for optimal health just as 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week is the standard. Having guidelines helps us to live as healthy as possible. In the field of chiropractic, there is also a standard of care, too.

One of the most popular myths about chiropractors is that you need to keep going once you start. Yet there is some truth to this myth because of the physicality of the adjustment. The doctor is training the body, much like we do when we exercise. Stopping the adjustments is similar to stopping exercising. We all know what happens when we stop working out. Our weight starts to creep up. We lose muscle mass. Our energy level declines. Chiropractic adjustments keeps our body in alignment so it can function as it is intended to. Without this type of care, daily life negatively impacts our body. Aches and pains return.

Ironically, despite knowing about guidelines and recommendations society tells us that we don’t always follow them. If we did, we would not have an obesity epidemic, smoking would cease, and every student would receive an A. Free will gives us the choice and all too often we choose poorly. The good news however is that we can choose differently which can reverse unhealthy trends.

Standards of care exist chiropractic, as well. This standard is one adjustment per week as it is meant to be proactive. Just like visiting your dentist every 6 months to prevent cavities. Visiting the chiropractor keeps the body functioning as it should rather than letting the daily wear and tear of life compromise it. And yes, that is exactly what life does. We go through each day incurring a series of micro-traumas from falling, playing a sport, working out, and poor posture. Yet a simple and painless adjustment once a week and significantly offset this.

The choice is ultimately ours to make. And while knowledge is power, it really only is when we do something with it.

 

Knee Pain

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Knee pain. There can be many causes for it. Initially we might ignore it, that is until it starts to interfere with our daily life. When that happens our immediate reaction is thinking we need surgery. Pain equals problem, right? While the pain does indicate there is a problem, it doesn’t necessarily mean surgery. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

Recently, a patient came into the office for her periodic adjustment. Dr. Damron noticed that she was limping. When he asked her why she explained she had been experiencing knee pain. She was having trouble walking up and down stairs and the pain was even keeping her up at night. She indicated that her parents felt she had a torn meniscus and should get in to have an MRI. Dr. Damron asked if he could take a look.

His assessment revealed not a torn meniscus but rather a patella (or knee cap) was not tracking as it should. The reason had to do with her IT band (iliotibial band) which is a ligament that runs down the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shin. It appeared that it was tight and inflamed which was causing the knee to become destabilized. An unstable knee cap will cause it to pull to one side or another. A common phrase heard when this occurs is patella tracking.

Dr. Damron’s course of recommended treatment included leg exercises that focused on strengthening the knee and relaxing the IT band with a foam roller. The first night the patient was able to sleep without pain. A major milestone! The following day she was able to walk up and down stairs a bit more freely without debilitating pain. The pain was still there, but it was much more tolerable only after two exercise sessions.

In conclusion, it’s is important to drop assumptions when it comes to pain. That pain does not equate surgery. Most importantly, that chiropractors do far more than simply provide spinal adjustments. Their scope of care encompasses the entire body with a holistic approach that minimizes healthcare costs. If you have yet to see a chiropractor, perhaps it’s time to align yourself with one in the new year to give yourself exactly what your body needs.

 

Chiropractic Adjustment Answer

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a chiropractic adjustment can help minimize your health concerns.

Aches and pains. The older we get, the more we seem to have them. Some we know the reason why, but some we don’t. Raking leaves means our back will ache the next. But, what if we wake up one morning and suddenly have pain radiating from our shoulder and don’t know why?

Recently, I had an experience like that. While getting myself ready one morning I felt a sharp pain to the right of my sternum as I was putting a necklace on. It hurt when I inhaled and bent over to put my shoes on. The mind begins to race when we have unexplained pain. We begin to think about all the things it could be – cancer, heart attack, stroke, aneurysm – lots of bad things. It’s a natural reaction and I did the same thing.

The pain continued throughout the morning. Shortly before noon I asked Dr. Damron what it could be that was causing my chest to hurt, especially when I inhaled. Without hesitation he responded, “Oh, you have a rib out of place.” I looked at him in disbelief. He then added, “This is common, but fixable.” A chiropractic adjustment was my solution. Immediately following the adjustment I noticed an improvement in my pain level. Dr. Damron told me that I would be sore for the rest of the day but should be much better the following morning. He was right.

I was sore for the rest of the day, but it was much more manageable. I also wasn’t worried it was some life threatening disease. The next morning I was pain-free. It was relief to know that the pain had an explanation and it was addressed rather quickly with an adjustment. How many times do we find ourselves going to various doctors to determine the cause of our pain? Think of the costs involved. At DCW established patients receive same day care and better results.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Finish Your Treatment Plan

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If you’ve ever had a prescription filled, you know that the doctor tells you to finish the medication even if you feel better once again. The bottle also alerts you to the same thing. Why? Well just because you feel better does not necessarily mean that you are. The fact that you feel better is a great thing, but there is a reason that the course of treatment is the length that it is. Likewise, with the treatment plan you are prescribed by a chiropractor, there is a reason to finish it, even though you start to feel better once again. You want to stay better.

Not finishing your medication means there’s a high likelihood that your problem will return because it wasn’t entirely gone in the first place. Granted it was diminished substantially, but the remnants that had not yet been removed by the effects of the medication now have a chance to regroup and flourish once again. This situation leaves you back where you started from. When you seek the care of a chiropractor, the doctor always prescribes a treatment plan to address the pain. The typical length of a treatment plan is 4 to 6 weeks. At about week 2, if not sooner, the patient starts to feel good again. The pain is nearly gone, if not totally gone. While this is fantastic news, this does not mean that treatment is over. In fact, it has only just begun. Just like when taking medication. One needs to finish the course of treatment for it to be effective.

Know that there is a purpose behind each chiropractic visit. Know that each visit during your treatment plan is a step towards healing. Give your body the time it needs to reap the benefits of each adjustment, massage therapy, and strengthening you do during treatment. Feeling great is good, but staying that way is even better!

Passing the Buck With Pain

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Sometimes it takes a health crisis to realize that the healthcare industry has a tendency to pass the buck more often than not. A patient came to us recently who had seen various doctors regarding unexplained pain she was experiencing. Each doctor essentially did nothing to help her except tell her to see another doctor. It was obvious she was lost and frustrated, not to mention still in pain without any answers.

One of the first questions Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) asked her during her consult was, “What happened around the time you began experiencing this pain?” She replied, somewhat hesitantly, “A very minor car accident.” It was right then and there that the doctor realized what was causing the pain and the X-rays confirmed it.

The “very minor car accident” was causing pain in her lower abdomen, specifically her bladder. The various doctors she had seen kept testing for a urinary tract infection that continued to come back negative. One doctor suggested it could be interstitial cystitis, an incurable inflammation of the bladder lining. The X-rays revealed a compression in her lower spine involving the vertebrae that contained the nerves affecting the bladder and lower abdomen. After one decompression treatment and a spinal adjustment her pain had noticeable improved. She was also prescribed supplements that aid in disc and connective tissue health. Fast forward one week and this patient is feeling like her old self once again!

You see, two things happened that left someone in pain:

  1. The right questions were never asked.
  2. Something as insignificant as a “very minor car accident” can have a big impact on a person’s body.

There is always a root cause to pain. And usually where the pain is felt is not the actual source. Plus, any jarring of the body, no matter how small can create havoc in the body because the body absorbs that energy. Slight shifts in the body’s alignment can be enough to create pain. Seeking the car of a chiropractor can not only heal a person, but also keep them healthy and well.

Foundation, Structure, and Function

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There’s something unique you should know about Damron Chiropractic & Wellness – we utilize a team approach to every person that walks through our doors.  This team approach to wellness focuses on three parts of the body:  the foundation, the structure, and the function.  By addressing these three areas we ensure that we optimize every person’s visit and get them back to living a pain-free, active life.  We believe that by addressing the whole person the problem is truly corrected and less apt to reappear.

The Chiropractor’s role is to address the body’s structure, specifically the spine, when it is out of alignment.  This misalignment may or may not cause pain to a person, yet the body must compensate for the change in the “normal” structure of the spine.  Compensating means the muscles begin to reassign themselves to support this “new” structure which can be brought about by poor posture or an injury, for example.  Muscles that normally wouldn’t support the spine now need to.

For the Chiropractor’s spinal adjustment to have maximum benefit, it’s ideal that the muscles are in a relaxed state.  This is accomplished through massage.  By loosening the tense and restricted muscles through massage, the spine can be afforded greater mobility and shorten the journey to wellness. However, there is another step in this approach to help the body heal.  It involves reteaching the muscles to prevent the spine from resuming its former position.  That’s where strength training plays a vital role in this process.  Conditioning the muscles to function as they should helps to keep the spine functioning as it should.  Building the strength of the body helps to keep the body in a state of wellness because it can now do what it was designed to do.

Our bodies were created with each part serving the whole.  Every cell designed with a specific purpose in mind.  The lack of proper care causes a domino effect where the integrity of the whole is affected. Inflammation, excess weight, poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, medications, and lack of exercise all contribute to the decline of health and wellness.  Thoughtfully addressing the needs of the whole person, as a team, allows Damron Chiropractic and Wellness to stop the domino effect and begin to build a solid foundation from which to reach wellness.  We believe that meeting the body’s needs from a structure, foundation, and function perspective greatly enhances the overall well-being of the individual who’s seeking true wellness.

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