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Exercise Is Key to Healthy Aging

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There is a stereotype that exists regarding senior citizens or the elderly. The image that typically comes to mind when we hear one of those words is more than likely a grandparent. This person is sitting in a chair, resting or watching television. Perhaps there is a cane or walker nearby. How many of us would think of a grandparent running a 5k? What about playing tennis or bike riding? The reality is that the lifestyles of the older population can run the gamut. But as we age, we play an active role in determining how well we age by how active we remain.

Essentially we are in the driver’s seat when it comes to controlling our aging process. We cannot avoid getting older and the physical changes that take place such as graying hair, wrinkles, and thinning hair. However, we can slow down the overall aging of our body through something as simple as exercise. Yes, it is true!

There are many benefits to the body and aging through exercise:

  • improved memory and thinking
  • improved spacial memory
  • formation of new neural pathways, brain cells, and blood vessels
  • decrease of inflammation
  • decrease in stress and anxiety
  • better moods, sleep, circulations and digestion
  • improved bone density
  • improved muscle mass, strength, and power
  • better balance
  • higher energy levels

Studies show that older adults that continue to exercise and remain active can be just as competitive as their younger rivals, except, of course, at the elite level. At a fundamental level, we know the importance of exercise regardless of our age. We know the significance of being fit and maintaining a healthy diet. Yet, we continue to engage in unhealthy lifestyles. The question is why? Is it because we feel we can put it off until a tomorrow that never comes? Do we feel okay so therefore we are physically okay? What about excuses we give ourselves that we simply don’t have time, we are too busy? What needs to change within us to accept responsibility for our health? The decision of course is up to you. How one ends up aging comes down to a series of decisions that are made each and every day, starting right now.

Healing With Functional Medicine

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Functional medicine is similar to bringing your car in for service when there is a problem. A mechanic will perform various diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your problem, looking under the hood, checking valves, and fluid levels. What would you think if the mechanic simply walked around the perimeter of your car and did nothing else to determine the problem? How accurate would the assessment of the true problem be?

Many times a doctor does just that with us. We make an appointment due to a symptom we are experiencing like a fever, coughing, rash, or sore throat. The doctor “walks around our perimeter” by taking vitals, asking a few questions, making a diagnosis, then prescribing antibiotics, if necessary. Problem solved. However, shouldn’t seeing a doctor be more like how our car is treated at the mechanic?

Functional medicine is much like the approach a mechanic takes. The doctor looking to identify and correct the root cause, or the underlying mechanisms, of the problem. The result is that symptoms improve and the disease process is halted or reversed. Overall health is improved, as well.

Three factors are involved in the development of disease:

  1. Antecedents are precursors that set the stage for illness. These can include asthma, antibiotics, previous injuries, irritable bowel syndrome, and childhood stress.
  2. Triggers are what sets off an illness such as a virus, suffering a loss, and a lack of exercise.
  3. Mediators are what contributes to an illness such as low hormone levels, inflammation, stress, and poor nutrition.

The goal of functional medicine is to look at the entire patient picture and including as many facts and data as possible. This information allows for the development of clear road map for treatment by the doctor. The goal is to ensure good health is recovered, not simply masked.

At DCW, we take a functional medicine approach to each and every patient we treat. Because success should mean resolving a person’s health problems once and for all, shouldn’t it?

Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome?

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You know there’s a problem when a new syndrome is created because of the society you live in. In other words, a particular lifestyle makes a person more prone to developing a life threatening disease. One such syndrome with this association is metabolic syndrome which is found right here in the U.S.

Living in the Western world offers tremendous advantages from individual freedoms in speech, religion, and race, to opportunities in education, work, and healthcare. However, with these freedoms also comes choices in how we live our life. Modern day conveniences offer countless benefits in terms of time, effort, and cost, but the trade-off can be at the expense of our health. So, what exactly is metabolic syndrome?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines metabolic syndrome as, “a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.” These risk factors can be traits, conditions or habits that increase your chance for developing these diseases. The Western diet and a sedentary lifestyle play a significant role in the development of metabolic syndrome, which requires three risk factors to be diagnosed with it. These risk factors include:

  • Excess fat in the stomach area.
  • High levels of triglycerides which is essentially fat in your blood.
  • Low levels of the good cholesterol (HDL).
  • High blood pressure.
  • High blood sugar, especially while fasting.

The good news is that metabolic syndrome is preventable with a commitment to a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Working with a team of healthcare professionals can help treat this condition effectively, too. Treatment begins with education to fully understand the implications of this disease, then a structured plan to achieve weight loss through diet and exercise. Many times the assistance of a rehabilitation specialist is needed as well. Other steps include re-balancing the gut bacteria by eating probiotics and supplementation.

Brain Health

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Getting old can be a very humbling experience. Just like an old car, parts begin to deteriorate. Our vision is not as clear, our hearing not as sharp, hair starts to thin, the waistline begins to expand, the fine lines on our face deepen. And many times our memory seems to dull. Perhaps the thing that bothers us the most is the combination of aging and our brain health. Our recall may not be as quick as it was when we were younger and at times it can get quite frustrating.

When it comes to reclaiming the benefits of our youth, we can wear glasses or contact lenses to improve our vision or even get Lasik surgery. For our hearing, wear low profile hearing aids. Hair, use special products to regrow it. Waistline, exercise and better nutrition. And for those not so fine lines? Again, special products or even the care of a plastic surgeon. But what about declining memory?

Our memory is perhaps our most prized possession. Not only is it an endless photo album of our life, but also what gives us the ability to connect with others and be productive each day. The thought of aging and even losing a tiny bit of our memory is enough to fill us with dread. The good news is that just like the other areas of our self that can be reclaimed as we age, our memory can be, too.

There is increasing evidence that memory loss is not only preventable but perhaps reversible as well. Yes, it is true. Did you know that poor nutrition and insufficient fluid intake strongly affect a person’s reasoning and thought processes? Think about the emphasis we place on prenatal care and the very young. Much of it is regarding brain development and support.

So what can we do, as we age, to support brain health?

  • Eat foods that contain DHA such as fish, eggs, and meat.
  • Eat foods that contain resveratrol which is found in grapes, pistachios, blueberries, cranberries and dark chocolate.
  • Take supplements that support nervous system health.

To learn more about what supplements would benefit you the most, we encourage you to inquire at DCW.

Phase 3 – Wellness Maintenance

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Perhaps the most rewarding phase of the three on the journey to wellness is the last phase, or phase 3. Phase 3 is simply considered wellness maintenance. It begins when the most challenging phases have been accomplished. Phase 3 is the reward.

In phase 1 you are in pain. It was being out of your comfort zone that prompted you to get help. Phase 1 addressed the most pressing issue, the one that was preventing you from enjoying daily life. But, even though the pain was gone, you were taught that the root of the problem still needed to be fixed. You understood that if it was not corrected the pain would return. So, you began phase 2 which involved rehabilitating the problem area of your body. You built up your strength so that your body could function as it was designed to. During phase 2 you realized what it meant to feel good again. You realized that you were stronger than you thought. You took ownership of your health and wellness. But then what?

Enter Phase 3. This final phase is the one that elevates your life from what it was before you sought care. What type of lifestyle were you living that may have lead to the pain? Were you eating right? How was your weight? How about exercise? What types of medications were you on before? Something for high cholesterol? Type 2 diabetes? High blood pressure? Many times patients find that once they enter phase 3 on their journey to wellness that their weight is down, along with their blood pressure and sugar levels. The ultimate goal of this journey is to live not only pain-free, but with more energy, lower stress, and feeling great each day.

In this final phase, visits to the chiropractor become a monthly thing, or as needed. This is simply maintenance. Maintaining the proper alignment of your body to stay healthy and well. Because now you know what good feels like. Through education you understand your body at a level that you never knew. You are now enjoying the rewards of healing your body and giving it what it truly needs to thrive.

Our Pavlov Response

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In the early 1900s, Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov accidentally discovered classical conditioning while working with dogs. Classical conditioning involves an unconditioned stimulus and response. Then replacing the unconditioned stimulus with a neutral one in order to get the same response. Using dogs, Pavlov found that the dog began to salivate (unconditioned response) to an unconditioned stimulus, the food. He then realized he could turn a neutral stimulus,such as a bell ringing, into a conditioned response. In other words, the dog would begin to salivate when the bell rang, just as it did when it saw food. Our response to many things in life is really no different than what the dogs experienced in Pavlov’s experiments. We, too, have our own Pavlov response, especially when it comes to health and wellness.

Commercials and advertisements would like us to believe that what they are promoting is the solution to what we are searching for. All to often we believe that what they are promoting is the solution, as well. Heck, who doesn’t want their problem to disappear, especially those that involve our health and wellness? So, the unconditioned stimulus is the solution being promoted. Our response is the hope brought about by the possibility of a solution. Advertisements use various means to get our Pavlov response. They are looking for an action from us – a purchase!

To achieve sustainable good health and wellness, we need to change our stimulus. We have been conditioned for far too long to believe that improved health comes in the form of a pill or latest trend. Changing the stimulus means reconditioning ourselves to find the solution elsewhere:

  • whole food nutrition
  • exercise
  • adequate sleep
  • lower stress
  • meditation
  • chiropractic care
  • massage

We can change the outcome if we are aware of how we have been responding. We can train ourselves to respond in a better way. One that truly addresses the root of our problem versus opting for the band-aid approach that does nothing more than keep us exactly where we are.

Have You Settled With Your Health?

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There’s a great commercial out there from DirecTV, poking fun at people who settle for cable television. While it is quite entertaining and a clever way to market their product, it can also shed some light into other areas of our lives as well. It seems that society at large has decided to settle, or accept, less in life. It starts in our youth where we may settle for less than straight A’s. We may settle and not push ourselves academically in high school and beyond, instead opting for a primed social life. We may continue to settle later in life with jobs that don’t give us purpose, settle with friends who take us for granted, or settle with a less than desirable weight or diet. We simply decide at some point to not put for the effort it takes to have it better. Choices such as these have long-term ramifications to our overall success in life. However, it is never to late to expect more out of yourself. You can decide to never settle in life again, especially with your health.

Making the decision to expect more can change the landscape of your life. Prioritizing your health and wellness by actively choosing to lose weight through diet and exercise has a positive ripple effect with your self-confidence, energy level, self-image, and lifestyle. We may not even realize that we have settled for anything because we are content. However, contentment can sometimes be seen as settling for less than, too.

Take an inventory of your life. Stop and really think about ways you can raise the bar in your own life and expect more from yourself. Not settling can push you out of your comfort zone, but staying where you are can have far greater consequences. Making better health a priority now can give you years of a higher quality of life much later. Pushing yourself to take an active role in overall wellness can change the trajectory of your life in amazing ways. Deep down, you know if you have been settling for less with your health. Maybe it’s time to listen to that small voice and tell it you are ready to begin.

The Workout Win

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At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) we pride ourselves on being different. One of those ways is through our Rehabilitation department. Many of our patients come to us from the Chiropractic side. People who are in pain and looking for relief. Those individuals need rehabilitation therapy to strengthen their body to keep out of pain; however, we also offer additional services within that department, too. You see, you don’t need to be a chiropractic patient first to enjoy the benefits of working with our Rehabilitation Specialist, Omari Kittrell. You can simply want to feel good again with strength training, improving your flexibility, losing weight, or learning different exercise techniques. It’s the workout win.

We call it the workout win for several reasons:

  • DCW requires no membership dues or fees to participate.
  • You can workout in a small group or privately if you prefer.
  • Omari Kittrell is not only a Personal Trainer, but also certified in Pilates – Reformer I,II, and III.
  • You will be in a nurturing, positive environment that meets you exactly where you are at in your wellness journey.
  • DCW is an ideal starting point for those who are beginners and may be dealing with other health concerns too.
  • DCW is the perfect place to establish a solid wellness foundation so you can be better prepared for a more traditional gym.

Sometimes we simply aren’t ready for any mainstream workout regiment. We may have other health concerns that are limiting our ability to do that. A place like Damron Chiropractic & Wellness, or DCW, can help you find good health once again. What it really comes down to is this – are you ready to feel good again? If you are, then we are here. Consider the DCW difference and stop by for a visit. It’s true what they say, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” You never know the possibilities in life if you don’t open your mind to the options available to you.

2016 Fitness Movement

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At the onset of each new year there are countless lists of trends of things to be expected. There are trends in fashion, colors, hairstyles, decor, and food. Interestingly, in light of the work we do here at Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), a recent article in Dynamic Chiropractic (1/15/16) highlighted the “Top 10 Fitness Trends for 2016,” by Dr. Jeffrey Tucker. There is also a 2016 fitness trend that you should know about as well.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, or ACSM, there are 10 important trends in the fitness world that are transforming our society and wellness in general.

  1. Wearable Technology
  2. Body-Weight Training
  3. High-Intensity Interval Training
  4. Strength Training
  5. Educated, Experienced Fitness Professionals
  6. Personal Training
  7. Functional Fitness
  8. Programs for Older Adults
  9. Exercise and Weight Loss
  10. Yoga

The good news is that DCW has the ability to address 8 of the 10 trends listed above! The rehabilitation component of our team approach encompasses all types of training that is customized to each individuals needs and goals. Our Rehabilitation Specialist, Omari Kittrell, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to help our patients live not only pain-free, but with better health as well.

While there is no “one size fits all” solution to wellness, there is a right way to achieve it and a wrong way. The wrong way is believing that there is a quick fix to things like losing weight. The wrong way is believing that what worked for a friend will also work for you. The wrong way is also not addressing your whole self, but only a single facet such as weight.

The right way is understanding how intricately related each system in your body is. How pain, for example, can affect your sleep, your weight, your emotional state, and your motivation to exercise. It’s also recognizing that if the root of the problem is not addressed properly, any attempts to achieve wellness can be compromised. That means even if you are successful at losing weight in the short-term, the risk of gaining it all back is more likely if there are other unresolved issues you are dealing with like pain.

Take advantage of today’s trends in fitness. Take the time to invest in yourself and discover how a customized fitness approach can benefit you in the long-run.

New Year’s Fitness Resolutions

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Each and every year as we approach January 1st we think of resolutions. The most popular, by far, is the resolution to lose weight, especially after all those indulgences over the Holidays. However, when January 1st arrives, many of us find that we don’t know where to begin when it comes to improving our health or losing weight. In fact, we may not have seen the inside of a gym in years. We may have aches and pains that have prevented us from even considering enjoying a gym membership. We may be afraid of making that financial investment because of the pain and discomfort. Both may prevent us from enjoying those workout classes or exercise equipment. The good news is that there is a way to eliminate this roadblock to your New Year’s fitness resolutions. It involves specifically addressing the cause of your pain and discomfort, then correcting it once and for all.

At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), we help individuals get back on track with their fitness goals so they can have success with their fitness resolutions. One of our four elements of care at DCW is rehabilitation, or physical therapy. By identifying and addressing problem areas with strength training and stretching we can provide countless benefits such as:

  • pain relief
  • increased energy
  • improved sleep
  • more strength
  • better balance
  • greater mobility
  • plus the option to join that gym

Removing the obstacles that prevent us from achieving our fitness goals for the new year is key to living a life of wellness. Let us help you remove the barriers that might lay in your path. We can equip you with the solid foundation from which to enhance your life with better health.

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