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Athletes, Performance and Chiropractic Care

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Kids start playing soccer at the age of 4, if not earlier. It’s almost comical to watch a game at this age because most of are running simply because everyone else is. There are always those players who “get it”though. They are the ones who score all the goals and running ahead of the pack.

Youth sports plays an integral part in the social life of many families starting at an early age. As these young athletes grow, many parents continue their training by signing up for select and travel teams. Level of play intensifies at each age and it is not uncommon for kids to play the same sport year round. Competition becomes fierce as kids approach high school and college.

With this intensity, the need to be injury-free and performing at the highest level become paramount. Inevitably, however, an injury occurs, either from trauma or repetitive use. When this happens, the athletes primary concern is returning to the game as soon as possible. Other concerns involve elimination of pain and treatment that is non-invasive plus non-pharmacological. Chiropractic care is essential to sustaining this high level performance in a way that meets the needs of today’s competitive athlete.

Parents will invest tremendous sums of money in their child’s lessons, training, camps, equipment, and conditioning. Many times at the expense of anything else, especially if more is at stake such as a scholarship, either in the future or now. There can be a lot at stake in keeping their athlete healthy and well.

If we look at the highest level of sports, you will find a chiropractor on staff. You will also find chiropractors at the Olympic games, too. These professional athletes recognize that chiropractic adjustments have shown to improve performance and pain reduction. They also recognize a chiropractor’s ability to improve nervous system function to enhance faster reaction times. What athlete doesn’t want that?

At the end of the day, every patient deserves to be treated like an elite athlete in the care they receive.

Addressing Pain Once and for All

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At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), people come to us who have been told by other health care practitioners that they were unable to help them. Usually the reason was because they could not determine the source of their problem. The person is typically referred to other specialists, only to be given the same information. How frustrating and expensive this situation can be. Fortunately, collaborative care through chiropractic, therapeutic massage, rehabilitation, and nutrition provides the solution that person has been searching for all along.

Imagine being given a band-aid to stop the bleeding of a deep cut that really needs stitches. Is that the best solution? Would that effectively stop the blood flow? Yet, many of us accept that reality when we take pain medications if there is no long-term solution. While the pain may subside, the problem still persists. When does the cycle end?

Solutions. People like them. We also like to live without pain. So, how can one get an effective solution to their pain, without the band-aid approach of pain medications? The answer is chiropractic care. The approach and results are unique to this field of health care.

Chiropractic is a holistic approach, meaning the entire body and it’s systems are considered in a diagnosis rather than only one or two. For example, a patient with bladder pain is typically treated for their bladder pain. But what if the problem persists, even after treatment. The patient could be referred to urology. But what if nothing is found and the problem still persists? Perhaps this scenario sounds familiar to you, however with another type of pain like the head, back, leg, or neck. How was that pain resolved? Is there still pain?

Time and again we see patients that have found no solutions from other doctors. As almost a last resort they decide to see a chiropractor. The results are profound. It’s time to change the perception of chiropractic care for the 80% of the population that has never seen a chiropractor. Rather than trying to convince you of the benefits, we encourage you to check out our Google and Facebook reviews to learn more.

 

Treating Pain and Inflammation

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Treating pain and inflammation in the U.S. focuses less on the underlying cause and more on the symptoms of pain, especially when it is chronic. It is a temporary solution that only masks the real problem. While the patient may experience pain relief, it is only a band-aid approach that is accompanied by health risks. Risks from the medicine prescribed to the body’s response to the pain.

Chronic pain typically goes hand-in-hand with inflammation, which is how the body protects itself from injury. The role of the inflammation response is to:

  • remove harmful stimuli such as damaged cells, irritants or pathogens.
  • begin the healing process.
  • restore the body to normal function.

A prolonged state of inflammation increases the risk of other diseases especially as we age. Poor lifestyle choices and a sedentary lifestyle are sources of inflammation which has a detrimental effect body’s ability to effectively process it. This gradual decline over the years opens the door to conditions such as arthritis, chronic fatigue, sciatica, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Somehow we expect our body to withstand constant stress, day after day, year after year and remain unaffected by it.

Western medicine typically treats chronic pain with anti-inflammatory medicines. These medications are associated with long-term health problems, in addition to addiction. A better solution that avoids these pitfalls is chiropractic care. Why? Because pain is resolved through a combination of spinal adjustments, massage, proper nutrition, and rehabilitation. Identifying the cause of the pain allows for effective treatment of it.

Today, more and more people are choosing to see a chiropractor when experiencing chronic pain. And finally reclaiming their lives in the process.

 

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.

 

Pain and the Choices We Make

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Imagine two closed doors. You have a choice as to which one you will open. The only information you have been given to help you decide is the following:

Behind the first door is something that you are familiar with. The results you are looking for are not 100%. It may cost you more, but there are no surprises. 

Behind the second door is something that you are not familiar with. However, the results you are looking for are closer to your ideal. It costs less but there are surprises, ones you will like.

You have two options because of a health problem that is affecting your quality of life, pain. So, given the two options, which door do you choose?

A recent study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) revealed three reasons to choose the second door – “superior satisfaction ratings, reduced costs, and similar outcomes to medical care.” Chiropractic care represents the second door. The first door the care received by a medical doctor (MD). Not surprisingly, most of the U.S. population chooses to visit a medical doctor first when it comes to relieving pain. In the study, 403 patients saw a medical doctor and 316 patients saw a chiropractor as their first choice of care for “their spinal, hip, or shoulder pain.” A questionnaire was completed on day 1 and at 4-months to evaluate the patients pain, the care received, and the costs of care.

The results of the study:

  • Patients treated by a chiropractor experienced a greater reduction in pain.
  • Patients treated by a medical doctor first were less likely to be satisfied with the care they received.
  • Those treated by a chiropractor were more satisfied with the outcome of the care they received.
  • The costs were much lower for those who were treated by a chiropractor.

Now, given what you have learned, which door would you choose?

Why You Should Treat Pain Like an Injury

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Have you ever wondered why many of us do not treat our pain like we treat an injury we sustain? It’s important to understand why we should view them equally.

Remember when you were growing up and your parents would send you upstairs because they were entertaining? The expectation was that you would not interrupt the evening unless there was an actual emergency. To head downstairs because your brother or sister was hogging the television simply would not cut it. To make it crystal clear your parents would say something like, “Unless someone is bleeding or the house is on fire, do not come downstairs.” That was some serious business. There was no question as to what constituted a situation that needed immediate attention. If only the rest of life was that crystal clear.

Pain is one of those things that would be much easier to deal with if its source was obvious. Unfortunately, we usually decide to dismiss the discomfort, take medications, or simply live with it. But what if we decided to treat pain like we would an injury, such as a broken bone or other trauma? If we did that, far fewer people would willingly accept settling for a lower quality of life. The cause of symptom would be addressed correctly and the needless suffering would be over. Perhaps it’s time to change our perception of what defines an injury and how to go about true healing.

What we don’t realize is that there are solutions to resolving our pain. Solutions that many of us have never considered because of misconceptions and misinformation. One solution in particular is the care provided by a chiropractor. This specialist takes a holistic approach, where the nerves in the spine communicate with every part of the body. An interruption in any of these nerve communications creates symptoms such as pain. With chiropractic treatments such as:

  • adjustments
  • decompression
  • therapeutic massage
  • traction
  • electrical stimulation and
  • rehabilitation

the body heals and relief is found. Pain can be optional, but only if we treat it as such.

The Athlete in All of Us

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Many of us watch television shows that reveal the lives of celebrities and their exclusive lifestyles. It seems these individuals have access to things that a majority of us never will. From backstage passes, red carpet events, and the best doctors. The same can be said when it comes to their health and wellness. Great care is given to the food they eat, the dining establishments they patronize, and their appearance in the public eye. Yet, the reality is that we too can have access to many of the benefits enjoyed by those we consider to be the “rich and famous” of our society.

One group in particular is worth noting – the professional athlete. These celebrities also give great care to selecting trainers, nutritionists, and doctors. Interestingly, one such doctor that is heavily relied upon by professional athletes is the chiropractor. Why would it be then that a majority of the U.S. population does not take advantage of the same level of care? Especially when chiropractic care is affordable and easily accessible?

Think about it. We buy the shoes that celebrities wear, purchase products that are endorsed by an athlete. The question we need to ask ourselves is, does the same philosophy also apply to the level of care an athlete receives? Are we not just as worthy? Do we think that because we are not a “professional” athlete that it isn’t necessary? If that is the case, why even buy the expensive sneakers?

The benefits of seeing a chiropractor should not be limited to a select group of the population. Whether they are pro-athletes, or suffered an injury from a car accident. Seeking the care of a chiropractor should be more proactive and inclusive. If a professional athlete sees a chiropractor so they can perform at their desired level of play, imagine what this profession can do for the rest of us?

What Is a Real Doctor?

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If you were asked the question, “what is a real doctor?” how would you answer it? Would your answer include how they look? Where they work? Where they went to school? How they ranked in their graduating class? What their specialty is? It’s probably safe to say that our answers are based on our own experiences with doctors and what we have seen in the media. If we look beneath the surface, do we really know what makes not only a real doctor, but a good doctor?

History tells us that a doctor is about disease care. We see one when we are sick and suffering from symptoms. We also see a doctor when we discover something abnormal about our body, have suffered a broken bone, or have a chronic condition like juvenile diabetes or arthritis. Unfortunately, sometimes when we see that abnormality or have developed that chronic condition we are at a major disadvantage. It also costs us far more in the long run. So, what is the alternative? Being on the offense, or rather, practicing preventative care.

To a majority of Americans, preventative care means going to the dentist twice a year, getting a mammogram at the age of 40, or a yearly checkup at the pediatrician for our kids. But shouldn’t it go further than that? In an ideal world, wouldn’t it be better to prevent illnesses and chronic conditions, plus improve our quality of life in the process? The reality is that the ideal is possible and with a real doctor, too.

One of those real doctors that most Americans fail to consider are Doctors of Chiropractic. Yes, it’s true. Chiropractors actually specialize in preventative care. In other words, their treatment helps to keep us healthy and improve our quality of life. These specialists earn a Bachelors Degree just as physicians do, typically in biology, chemistry, physics or exercise science. Just as physicians do. Both chiropractors and physicians attend four years of graduate school with similar classes such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physiology. They both also perform clinical hours, lab hours, and are required to pass their Boards to become certified.

So perhaps it’s time to rethink what a real doctor is and which camp you have been in – disease care or preventative care.

 

Seeking a Cure

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Not having the answer to a problem can be frustrating and unnerving. Something as simple as misplaced keys or cell phone can send our day into a tailspin. However, something bigger like a lost child at an amusement park or an unexplained pain or lump can bring us to our knees. The simple fact of not knowing the where or why is a feeling we never want to experience. However, it is times like these that we would do anything to get the problem resolved favorably. Probably the easiest example to explain this scenario is when it comes to our health or the health of someone we love. There are countless stories of individuals who went to great lengths to find a cure to an ailment from traveling across country to see a doctor, to participating in a clinical trail, or seeking a cure through holistic care.

The problem with this approach to life is the assumptions made. We assume we have all the answers right now. Common sense tells us that this couldn’t be further from the truth. How can we know what we don’t know? Remember that old saying your mom probably said when you were going up, “never say never”? She meant, never say you will never do or think or say something. Wisdom tells us that life is full of surprises. Circumstances present themselves that cause us to say or do or think something we never thought we would.

There is a vast majority of the population that has either outright said or implied that they would never see a chiropractor. And all too often, it’s those same people who end up at a chiropractic office. But it’s only after they’ve tried other options and spent countless dollars. It is our goal at Damron Chiropractic & Wellness to change that. We believe that chiropractic care should be one of the first options a person chooses, not the last. We believe that a lot of money can be saved if more people choose the option they said they would never choose. Once people learn the benefits of chiropractic care from:

  • eliminating pain,
  • resolving the cause of the symptoms,
  • restoring proper functioning,
  • providing preventative health care,
  • lowering the incidence of corrective surgery,
  • increasing energy,
  • and lowering stress,

they realize that they may have let a few assumptions get in the way of the truth.

Beware the Weekend Warrior

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No one needs to convince you that we live in a society that is fast paced. Each day we rush from one thing to the next. Add a couple of kids to the mix and the speed at which we live tends to get amplified. It’s not that we actually like it this way, in fact we may outright hate it. Yet, we continue to live it.

Inevitably there comes a time where we stop to think about our personal health. It might be because we decide to get in better shape or lose weight. Then an opportunity presents itself that we don’t want to pass up. We think it’s a way to help us achieve our goal. It could be a work softball team that plays on the weekends, a family canoe outing, bike riding with the kids, or running a 5k with a friend. Some may call this the weekend warrior. You know, someone who decides to do that one thing over the weekend that they typically don’t do nor is their body prepared for. More often than not, weekend warrior is synonymous with injury.

We know the importance of proper training, stretching before a work out, even stretching after the physical activity. Yet, do we really take advantage of this knowledge? If we did, we would undoubtedly save ourselves the pain of an injury. Somehow, we think we are unstoppable. The key is recognizing that we need to make time for ourselves every day. We need to make our physical health a priority and schedule exercise along with everything else that we schedule. If we don’t, we run the risk of injuries such as:

  • Ankle sprains
  • Knee pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Tennis elbow or Golfer’s elbow
  • Plantar fascitis

The good news is that if we find ourselves suffering from weekend warrior syndrome then a visit to the chiropractor can help tremendously. Whether it’s a sprained ankle sustained while hiking, knee pain from a pick up game of basketball, or shoulder pain from painting your new dining room walls. Chiropractic adjustments put the body back in alignment, which minimizes the impact our weekend warrior mentality can have on us. While a chiropractor cannot stop the weekend warrior, he/she can get them out of pain and back in the saddle once again.

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