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Inflammation Diagnostic Testing

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“Into Flame”

The Latin translation of the word inflammation literally means not only flame, but to become a flame. When we think of inflammation, the immediate image that comes to mind is skin that is red, swollen, and painful. It is visible. Yet there is another type of inflammation that may not be visible or even painful, but just as much a cause of concern, if not more so.  This type is hidden beneath the surface and is gradual in its manifestation.  It begins slowly and does not cause the immediate reaction of red, swollen, and painful skin like acute inflammation does.  This is termed chronic inflammation and diagnostic testing, in addition to mindfulness, can help identify if this culprit resides within us.

Inflammation is a natural process by which the body attempts to protect itself from harmful stimuli and begin the process to heal itself.  However, unlike acute inflammation where the body’s effort is rewarded and the body is healed (like a cut or a bruise), with chronic inflammation there is no reward.  The reason? The harmful stimuli is continually present in the body.  The healing is attempted but is thwarted by the constant onslaught of the problem. Here are a few examples:

  • smoking
  • eating a diet of highly processed foods
  • alcohol consumption
  • lack of exercise
  • poor sleep habits
  • excess weight

Imagine trying to build a sand castle as the tide is rolling in. No matter how fast you move that sand to protect the castle, the waves continue to advance. With each wave, what ever progress you made is washed away leaving you where you started. Inevitably, the water begins to win and you are left with a destroyed sand castle.

Our bodies react in much the same way. The harmful stimuli is the tide. The sand castle is our body. If we continually choose to eat a diet that is high in processed foods and fat, then each meal represents another wave. Over time, our body can’t keep up with repairing the damaged caused by our poor nutrition choices. This chronic inflammation can eventually cause several diseases, including some cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and periodontitis.

The key is to recognize the signs of inflammation before the disease shows up. Knowing what to look for can help you change the way you live and avoid a health scare as so many do. The symptoms that may indicate your body is suffering from chronic inflammation include:

  • ongoing, irritating pain in your joints or muscles
  • worsening asthma or allergies
  • high blood pressure or blood sugar
  • ulcers or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • constant lethargy or exhaustion
  • skin problems

If you suspect there might be a problem you can also have inflammation diagnostic testing performed. A simple test can help uncovered the truth. If you listen, your body will tell you what it needs.

What do you hear?

 

Trigger Points (Part II)

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Now that you have familiarized yourself with trigger points, let’s look at how they manifest themselves in your body.  In other words, what are the symptoms indicating trigger points and the associated referral pain?  What can be done to help correct the situation?

First, it’s important to note that there are two types of trigger points – active and latent.

  • Active trigger points typically have referral pain and occur due to some injury to the muscle.  This injury can be trauma related, or it can also be the result of repetitive use, poor posture, or nerve irritation.  There is also both pain at rest and the area is tender to the touch.
  • Latent trigger points are more localized, causing a limited range of motion and weakness to the area affected.  It may or may not be painful to the touch.

It is not uncommon that active trigger points become latent, or that latent become active.  Many people may believe that when pain returns after long absence it’s a new injury.  In reality, the problem was only laying dormant and something happened to re-aggravate the same injury.

Symptoms of a trigger point can include:

  • limited range of motion
  • pain
  • dizziness
  • weakness
  • loss of coordination
  • buckling of the knees
  • ringing in the ears
  • tingling
  • urinary frequency
  • muscle fatigue
  • sweating
  • tearing of the eyes
  • tension headaches

Fortunately, there are ways to correct the situation and bring the body back into balance.  One is with trigger point massage therapy, which helps to address the knot of constricted muscles that are causing the pain.  Another option is through chiropractic adjustments.  Many times a misalignment in the skeletal system can cause undo stress on certain muscles.  Only by putting things back into alignment can this be remedied.  Ideally, the best course of treatment involves both massage and adjustments, plus strengthening the affected muscles.  Damron Chiropractic & Wellness is unique in that it offers all three therapies under one roof.  Our highly trained team of professionals work in unison to address the needs of every patient that walks through our doors.  Our goal with this approach is to get you out of pain and back to wellness, so you can get back to enjoying your life once again!

Water and Health

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Up to 60% of our body is comprised of water.  71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water.  All living organisms need water to survive.  Fresh water is a modern day convenience that allows us to wash clothes, operate dishwashers, water our lawns, flush our toilets, boil water, and make ice cubes.  Yet, despite all this availability, the average person in the U.S. consumes only 3.9 cups per day (USDA, 2011).  If asked, we could easily articulate that without water we would become dehydrated, that we need it to survive, but why then do we consume far less than we should?  Why do we opt for sugary colas or other beverages if given a choice?  Do we really know and understand what the amazing benefits of this life-sustaining liquid really are?

Let’s break the benefits of water down into bite-size pieces of helpful facts:

  • Fluid Balance – With 60% of our bodies comprises of water, drinking sufficient water will help maintain that delicate balance.  Sweating, breathing, urinating, and bowel movements cause us to lose some of that 60%, so replenishing for those very reasons is important.
  • Calorie Control – Drinking water helps us to feel full, reducing our desire to eat too much during meals or snacking.
  • Clearer Skin – Water flushes the toxins out of our body which causes skin inflammation, clogged pores, and acne.
  • Kidney Function – Consuming enough water helps our kidneys do their job of eliminating toxins via urine and waste.  Amazingly, our kidneys process 200 quarts of blood daily.  That’s a lot of fluid.
  • Fatigue Lifter – One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is fatigue.  Drinking water helps to keep you more awake.
  • Pain Reliever – After every work out it’s important to drink plenty of water to help prevent sore muscles and achy joints, especially if the body is dehydrated to begin with.
  • Alleviates Migraines and Headaches – Again, dehydration is a major cause for both of these ailments.
  • Constipation Aid – Drinking water helps to keep things moving – literally.  If the body needs more it will pull it from the colon, resulting in constipation.
  • Metabolism Boost – Sufficient intake helps the body to break down food more efficiently with a higher metabolism.
  • Keeps Temperature Regulated – Water has the ability through sweat evaporation to release heat from the body.  This process helps to keep the body’s temperature regulated properly.
  • Moisture Protection – Having an optimal level of moisture in our body helps to protect our tissues, spinal cord, and joints with proper lubrication and cushion.
  • Disease Prevention – Drinking more than the minimum amount of daily water has been linked to a lower chance of developing kidney stones, urinary cancer, colon cancer, and heart attacks.

So, to ensure that we enjoy the benefits of water, how much do we need to drink?  A popular piece of advice many of us have heard is “Drink 8 8-ounce glasses of water per day,” or the eight-by-eight rule, which dates back to 1945.  But according to the Institute of Medicine, an adequate intake of fluid for men is approximately 13 cups and women 9 cups.  Interestingly, it states fluid rather than specifically water.  Given the vast benefits of water, wouldn’t it be better for us if we chose to make those 9-13 cups of fluid strictly water?  Imagine the reaction from your body and how good you will feel!

Chronic Inflammation

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When we think of inflammation, the first image that comes to mind is probably a minor injury we suffered that became infected like a splinter or skinned knee.  The area around the wound got red and was tender to the touch.  It felt hot and hurt.  We knew that with proper treatment the inflammation would subside and the wound would heal.  But inflammation can also take place inside our body as well, which doesn’t leave obvious visual signs like the splinter or skinned knee.  However, being aware of the symptoms of inflammation can help you remedy the situation.

According to Medical News Today, “inflammation is the body’s attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens – and begin the healing process.” (Feb. 2015)  Acute inflammation is the wound example above which is short in duration. Chronic inflammation can last months or even years due to the body’s failure to eliminate the cause of the problem.  What are some conditions that cause chronic inflammation?

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic Sinusitis
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Allergies
  • Diabetes

So how would you know that your body is suffering from chronic inflammation?  What are some of the symptoms?

  • Persistant pain in the joints or muscles
  • Worsening allergies or asthma
  • High blood pressure or blood sugar
  • Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS)
  • Ulcers
  • Constant fatigue or exhaustion
  • Skin problems or bloodshot eyes

According to a 2012 article in SCD Lifestyle, “Inflammation becomes chronic when it stops being an acute response” (i.e. the body’s reaction to a cut or bruise) “and remains a constant low-level physiological response.”  It continues by stating, “Chronic inflammation is when your body no longer has the ability to turn off the inflammatory response and it starts damaging healthy tissue in your body.” But guess what?  Chronic inflammation can be preventable.  Yes, it’s true – preventable by YOU.  Our lifestyle and the choices we make significantly impact our body.  A hectic schedule, high pressure job, lack of sleep, high fat foods, weight gain, sugary foods and drinks, daily consumption of alcohol – are some of the choices, when made each and every day, cause our body to become chronically inflamed. Only for the simple fact that it is trying to protect YOU.

In addition to improving your lifestyle and choices,  there are other changes you can make to reduce and eliminate chronic inflammation:

  • Taking Fish Oil
  • Getting 8 hours of sleep
  • Spinal adjustments
  • Exercise
  • A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meat and fish
  • Supplements like vitamin D, magnesium, and turmeric

You can stop the war your body is waging against itself.  Be aware of your choices and how they really impact you.  Allow your body to begin the healing process so you can enjoy the benefits of living without chronic inflammation.

 

Vertigo

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Remember as a kid hopping onto that tire swing and your friends winding it around until it could go no further and then letting go?  You would spin and spin and spin – fast.  When the tire finally came to a stop, you would get off and drop to the ground because everything seemed to still be spinning around you even though it wasn’t.  Walking a straight line was literally impossible.  You’d have to close your eyes and lay in the grass until the dizziness subsided.  Summer fun at it’s best!

The older we get, the idea of getting on that tire swing and spinning can make us nauseous just to think about it.  But there are times in our life that we may get the sensation of whirling and loss of balance without the help of a tire swing.  The name for this condition is called vertigo and it “results from a sudden or temporary change in the activity of the balance structures in your inner ear (vestibular system) or in the balance structures’ connection to the brain. (Mayo Clinic 9/12)”  Defined by symptoms of lightheadedness, imbalance, dizziness or a sensation of movement when we are not, are common.

Vertigo can be caused by:

  • migraines
  • multiple sclerosis
  • head and neck trauma
  • calcium debris in the inner ear (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
  • tight or spasmatic muscles in the neck
  • stress
  • adrenal fatigue or exhaustion
  • certain medications
  • food allergies
  • gluten sensitivity
  • diabetes mellitus
  • hypothyroidism
  • hypoglycemia
  • whiplash
  • Meniere’s Disease

Depending on the cause, the duration can last moments to weeks.  Fortunately, our body has the ability to adapt to what is causing the vertigo and balance is once again restored.  The important thing to note is that many cases of vertigo do not require the use of medication to correct it.  In fact, the course of treatment can involve specific exercises, dietary changes, spinal manipulation, lifestyle changes, stretching, and strength training.  If you ever do experience vertigo during the course of your life, you can feel at ease that it can be temporary and can be corrected.  If it is a reoccurring issue, getting evaluated can mean the difference between living with the condition, or figuring out the cause and having it never come back.  Having the knowledge is not only empowering, but it also saves you from worry and anxiety.

Here’s to keeping you informed and well.

What Do Symptoms Really Tell You?

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“Experience Life,” a magazine published by Lifetime Fitness, is always full of informative articles on achieving optimal health and lifelong wellness.  In the most recent addition (January/February 2015), an article by Pilar Gerasimo, focused on minimizing symptom suppression in ways that support living a healthy life with little or no medical intervention.  There are several highlights from that feature piece that can help you to achieve your wellness goals.

In 2013, the Mayo Clinic published a report that said almost “70% of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, more than half take two, and 20% take five or more.”  The most common prescription drugs taken are used to treat depression, pain, acid reflux, infections, plus high cholesterol and blood pressure.  Interestingly, the reason these medications are prescribed to treat a condition that is dependent many times on a person’s lifestyle, and in no way addresses the root cause of their problem.

Medications mask the real problem, giving only temporary relief.  Like a revolving door, as symptoms present themselves medication is taken, then life continues on until, once again, the symptom presents itself.

The author, Pilar, goes on to say “We have been taught to think of a great many maladies (from dry eyes to social anxiety) as ‘diseases.'”  She acknowledges that this school of thinking brought to us by the pharmaceutical industry that makes a living helping us get “better.”

The article equated how we should handle our health problems with the way we handle burning something in the oven.  When the smoke alarm in our home goes off, we do everything we can to remedy the situation and stop the noise.  We would consider what went wrong in causing our dinner to burn, noting how to prevent it from happening the next time.  In the ideal world, we’d like to think that this is how we would handle our health problems that arise, but all too often that is not the case.  We are too quick to slap on a bandaid and carry on as we had been, knowing deep down that the problem still exists and future alarms of a burnt dinner will inevitably happen.

The good news is that there are ways you can change the outcome for the better:

  • Understand how resourceful your body really is in how it manifests symptoms, typically beginning with minor symptoms like fatigue or discomfort.  Listening to your body for the onset of symptoms can alleviate the impact of more serious ones later and allow the body to heal itself.
  • Recognize the connection between the different parts of your body.  In other words, a symptom in one place can indicate a problem in another.
  • Be your own advocate and always ask “why.”  Ask until you truly understand what is happening to you and what you can do about it.
  • Know the ins and outs of the medications you are currently taking and don’t assume anything.  Learn all the side-effects, including how they might affect your goal lifestyle of health and wellness.

Be your own advocate and start listening to you!

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

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Why is it that when it comes to our automobiles we are like the dogs in the Pavlov experiments?  Each time an indicator light turns on we are conditioned to heed the warning and service our car.  Similarly, just how the bell would ring causing the dogs to salivate conditionally as they anticipated being fed.  The car is a source of freedom, bringing us to work and back home, taking us to our vacation destination, and out to cheer our favorite team.  Yet our most overlooked vehicle of freedom is our own body.  Granted, there are no indicator lights to tell us to get more sleep, start exercising, drink more fluids, or eat more protein, but there are indicators that, if we listen carefully, will tell us exactly what we need to know to ensure we stay on track with our health.

Our primary mode of transportation, our very selves, can never take a back seat.  In fact, ignorance, as it relates to our body, is not bliss especially as we get older.  Ignorance can cause bigger problems for ourselves and our quality of life which is something no one wants.  So, what are some of those “indicator lights” we should be looking for that tell us something is amiss with our body?

  • Chronic fatigue – do you wake up feeling just as tired as you did when you went to sleep the night before?
  • Migraines – do you find that most days you suffer from a headache?
  • Arthritis – do you feel your daily activities are restricted due to the pain and discomfort of arthritis or stiffness in your joints?
  • Sports injuries – is that old football injury causing you issues with your range of motion or pain?
  • Weight loss – have you hit a plateau with your weight loss goal and despite your best efforts feel stuck?

While the mechanic is the professional that addresses the needs of your car, a Doctor of Chiropractic is the health care professional specifically trained to address the needs of the human body through the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.   A chiropractor is focused on finding those “indicator lights” within our muscles, bones, joints and nerves to reveal the problem, identify its source, and then provide the appropriate course of treatment.

Remember, ignorance is not bliss, but rather a lack of ownership to our most important asset – our bodies.

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