health Archives - Page 3 of 11 - Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

Why Student Athletes Need Rehabilitation

December 15, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Over a million high school students play a sport, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations (August 2016). The highest percentage play football, followed by track and field, basketball and soccer. Farther down the list is volleyball, baseball, cross country, softball, tennis, plus swimming and diving. This is great news in light of the current health crisis in the rise of obesity. However, this is also a warning. Injuries within the student athlete group cannot be overlooked nor minimized.

Unfortunately, in many situations they are, due to various reasons:

a state title is on the line,
the fear of losing a college scholarship,
missing out of the competition and fun,
or the pain isn’t “that bad.”

There are long term ramifications for this mindset. Therefore, advocate for your student athlete by closely monitoring their sport participation and actively look for potential problems.

The goal is to prevent serious injury, in addition to keeping the body working at it’s peak performance. Also, not creating a ripple effect of other injuries, too. This approach allows the student athlete to enjoy life, long after their sport years are over. Pain-free.

Football is a dangerous sport, even with all the protective gear. The older the player, the harder the hits. Sustaining even a mild injury creates future problems if not addressed immediately. However, all too often, the player jumps right back into the game, never giving the injury time to heal. With the body already compromised, the additional micro-traumas add up faster.

In these situations, rehabilitation is essential. With a shoulder injury, the student athlete might notice a popping sound while lifting weights as he conditions. This popping sound is due to weakened muscles and tendons that can no longer hold the shoulder in place. With proper rehabilitation, those muscles and tendons can be strengthened to hold the shoulder in the socket and eliminate the popping.

The best approach is to align your student athlete with a professional that specializes in rehabilitation. Most of all, be proactive in an investment in your child’s future.

Tinnitus (Ringing In the Ears)

December 6, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

It might surprise you to learn that tinnitus, commonly known as ringing in the ears, is one of the most common health ailments in our country. Over 50 million Americans suffer from this condition, which can range from annoying to debilitating. That is 15% of the population! Although the name implies ringing, other common sounds can be “buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, and clicking,” according to the American Tinnitus Association.

There are four types of tinnitus:

subjective tinnitus – where only the person experiencing the sound can hear it (accounts for 99% of cases).
objective tinnitus – this is extremely rare where the person and others can hear the sound. This is typically caused by the internal functions of the body such as circulation or muscular-skeletal system.
neurological tinnitus – is usually caused by a disorder such as Meniere’s disease that affects the auditory system.
somatic tinnitus – is part of the nervous system that connects the limbs and organs to the brain and spinal cord.

Interestingly, when researching this condition, chiropractic care is often overlooked as a reliable and effective treatment option for those looking for relief. The truth is that pressure and irritation in the cervical spine, specifically the C1 and C2 vertebrae, are the cause of the ringing symptoms. However, the noise that one hears when suffering from tinnitus is not the problem. It is only the indicator light that something is wrong.

In addition to the ringing, sufferers also experience:

anxiety
depression
irritability
confusion
sleep disturbances
mood swings
poor concentration

The cervical spine is the most important area of the spine due to it’s close proximity to the brain stem. A chiropractor’s goal is not only to relieve the pressure and irritation that is creating the ringing symptom but also to determine the root cause for it. For every person the cause will be different, which means that each person’s care plan will also be different.

Quality of life is very important to us at Damron Chiropractic & Wellness. You can take control of your health by changing your path in life from “disease care” to “wellness care.” Come to DCW to thrive!

Chronic Conditions and Chiropractic Care

December 1, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

There are many conditions that the general public does not associate with chiropractic care. While the reasons are varied, it essentially boils down to a lack of easily found information. For example, grab a magazine or newspaper and you will likely find it filled with ads from larger companies. If you turn on the radio or television, whose commercials do you hear? Again, sizable companies that can afford to purchase the airtime plus the production of a commercial. Even online, those who spend the most, get the most views.

Big business has deeper pockets to literally infiltrate every media outlet. In fact, studies show that the average adult is exposed to over 5,ooo messages – per day! Business is in business to make money. As a result, an advertisement or commercial needs to be convincing and compelling so you buy. But, does that mean the ad is the best option available to you?

History tells us that many products and services have come and gone as more information became available to the general public. Take cigarettes, saccharine, flame retardants, bisphenol A (BPA), and parabens (found in make-up). The public took these products at face value and believed what the advertisements stated. In addition, we even trusted that our government was protecting our best interests. The lesson learned here? That we need to actively advocate for ourselves and not let those who have the deepest pockets win our vote. As a result, we owe it to ourselves and our children to do our homework.

When it comes to our health, advocating for ourselves will reveal that what we thought we knew is actually wrong. Wrong, because we let mainstream media and big pharma tells us what was right. Chiropractic care has faced an uphill battle in proving its tremendous value in better health. Yet countless studies, testimonials, research and historical data prove that it has countless benefits. A chiropractor does far more that successfully treat those suffering from back and neck pain.

Due to this misinformation, below are several chronic conditions that many people do not realize can be treated with chiropractic care :

tinnitus (ringing of the ear)
vertigo
fibromyalgia
Meniere’s disease
chronic fatigue
rheumatoid arthritis
multiple sclerosis
lupus

The next several articles will address these chronic conditions in further detail, in addition to how a chiropractor can help those who suffer from them.

How Fear Keeps the Extra Weight On

November 29, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Fear. It comes in different forms. There’s the fear you feel when watching a scary movie. Or the fear you have of being stung by a bee. Fear can also be somewhat healthy, like the fear in making that big presentation at work. However, there is another type of fear that holds us back. Prevents us from living our best life. That fear is difficult for many of us to even admit. Because if we do, then we are admitting we are aware of our situation yet have denied its existence. A great example of this type of fear is with our weight.

There is absolutely no denying that a majority of us are not healthy. Statistics validate this fact time and again. Many times the trends in data show an increase in the number of people who are overweight and obese. This extra weight causes several weight related conditions, too, from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation. If we know this to be true, why does the trend continue to grow? In one word, fear.

It is difficult to admit that there is a problem. If we do admit that there is a problem then that means we must do something about it. Otherwise, we look and feel worse. We may think that people perceive us as failures or that we let them down by acknowledging we need to lose weight but don’t. Revealing our health issues to others and ourselves means we accept responsibility for our current state of affairs. We look awfully foolish if we own our obesity yet continue with life as if we never did.

The fear of admitting to ourselves how unhealthy we are creates a ripple affect that can be overwhelming. So, rather than deal with the problem, we bury ourselves in life. We pretend we are fine with our body. Fear can keep us stuck exactly where we are. But that fear can rob us of a longer life. It can also rob us of living pain-free. Choose to look at your current health as an opportunity to become the best version of yourself and put your fear in a corner. Today.

A Healthy Lifestyle Is the Ultimate Vacation

November 17, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

There is a process we use when making a big decision from what our next car purchase will be, to where we will go on our next vacation. We talk to friends who have recently purchased a car or love to travel, search online for reviews and information, even talk to those in the business of selling cars or traveling. The purpose it to collect as much information as possible to make the best decision possible, especially if what we are looking to do is completely foreign to us. The knowledge we gain from our research may empower us to make the best purchase decision, but it stops there. Let me explain.

When buying a new car or vacationing at that new destination, we are only enjoying the car while we are in it. We are only enjoying the vacation while we are actually on it. Yes, we can look at pictures of our travels and yes we can take our new wheels out for a spin every day, but that’s it. We spent all that time, effort, and eventually money on something that cannot enjoy every moment of every day. Once that vacation is over, it’s over. We also cannot live and sleep in our car. Why not the same time, effort, and money in something that we can enjoy 24/7? Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?

Enjoying the fullness of good health and true wellness is something that you can enjoy each and every day. And obtaining that lifestyle is something that can be achieved if we do the right research and information gathering. Take a look around you and list those people you know who already have that lifestyle. What are they doing that you aren’t? Commit to asking them. Spend the time to research a healthy aging lifestyle. At the crux is probably some type of holistic health care such as chiropractic. A unique field of care that focuses on the entire body versus a single system. People who enjoy optimal health are more interested in making every day a vacation. This is quite different than enjoying only 2 weeks of vacation out of the year.

Treat your health as you would preparing for a vacation. Take the time to thoroughly research what it will take beyond exercise and healthy eating to really live well. Create a life where you don’t need to take a vacation from to enjoy it. Feel like you do on vacation, every day of the year.

Looks Can Be Deceiving With Our Health

November 16, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Take that home project that was supposed to be simple, yet turned into your worst nightmare. It started with changing out a light fixture and then turned into so much more. A blown fuse, bad wiring, and an extra hole in the wall.

This same saying seems to be applicable to our health as well; however, with a slight twist. We make the assumption that looking and feeling good equates to good health. As a result, if there are no obvious problems, then there’s no need to fix anything. Yet, how many times do you hear about people suffering major health setbacks without having any warning signs?

This wishful mindset needs to change if we truly value a life of wellness. Because, if not, then we are constantly living on the defense, which is exhausting and puts you at a disadvantage. If you are waiting for a health problem to arise before you take action, then you are already at a disadvantage – both financially and emotionally. It’s like relying on the view from your window to predict the weather. Because you don’t see evidence of a hurricane approaching, it doesn’t mean that it’s not coming.

Good health is our most treasured asset. Consequently, protecting this asset requires a proactive approach. This approach to our health is similar to the one we take with our dentist with regularly scheduled visits to prevent cavities. Also with scheduling regular visits with a pediatrician to ensure our children are thriving. We do this to prevent or minimize a health crisis.

The questions we need to ask ourselves are:

Why to do we choose to avoid preventative health care when we know its benefits?
Why do we choose to distrust the specialization of a chiropractor if we don’t have all the facts? Shouldn’t we care enough about ourselves to learn the truth?
Don’t we deserve the best approach to wellness?
What do we have to lose by being proactive?

Exercise Is Key to Healthy Aging

November 4, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

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.

What Are Good Fats?

November 1, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Fats always get a bad rap. Remember the low-fat, fat-free craze of the 90s? Seemed like every product on the shelves had little, if any, fat in it. There were SnackWells cookies, fat-free Fig Newtons, Lay’s WOW chips, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter margarine, and fat-free cheese. It took some time, but eventually people have begun to realize that it’s a fad that doesn’t work. In fact, people not only gained weight, but also consumed a ton of unhealthy chemicals including high fructose corn syrup. So, what’s the deal with fat? Can it be healthy for us? And if it is, how much and what kind is?

Fat is one of the key building blocks our body needs to sustain metabolic functions. These functions range from keeping our nerve safe to hormone production. Eliminating or significantly reducing fats presence in our body has a negative impact on our health as evidenced by the dual impact our society is experiencing with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, it has taken far to long to figure this out due to bribery and misleading studies instigated by a sugar-industry trade group (JAMA Internal Medicine, September 2016). If we add this to the fact that it takes a long time for the winds of change to take effect, then one can see the ramifications involved.

With the recent trends toward shopping local, holistic health care, and whole food consumption, the tides are turning. Yet people still question if fat is good. The short answer is that overall fat is indeed healthy for us. However, there are several variables to consider to help you make the best decision.

There are three types of fats:

Saturated
Monounsaturated
Polyunsaturated

All can be healthy, if care is given when choosing. Examples of saturated fats include coconut oil, butter, and the fat in red meat. Monounsaturated fats can be found in olive oil, avocados, and raw nuts. Polyunsaturated fats include flaxseed and walnut oils.

Not all fats are created equal, either, for example, Big Mac fat is not the same as that found in an avocado. One is natural, the other highly processed. So what can you look for when determining which route to go with your fat intake?

Go with fats that boost omega-3s such as wild salmon, winter squash, leafy greens, and pecans.
Avoid heavily processed oils like canola, corn, and soybean. These oils are high in the bad omega-6 fatty acids which cause inflammation to our body.
Use oils that smell like where they are from. High quality olive oil should have a good flavor and smell.
Purchase high-quality grassfed butter as this is considered good animal-based fat.
Treat your fats like a buffet, opting for variety.
Always opt for high-quality, organic fats.
Avoid high-heat cooking.

Toss out your old fears and misconceptions about fats and learn the truth. Your body needs it to thrive.

Combating Stress Overload

October 27, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Living in such a fast paced society we may find it difficult to know what it really feels like. It is our norm, the only thing we have been exposed to. Yet, our body is not designed to function in this way. While it would be nice to have an owner’s manual for our body. Something that explains the warning signs (or indicator lights) when if there is a problem. Imagine how easy managing our health would be then! Have a question, check out the owner’s manual!

Unfortunately, life is not designed this way. Because we do not have an owner’s manual it is completely up to us to know our body. Know what it feels like to feel good, to suspect there is a problem, understand how each system is connected to the other. We need to learn how to identify symptoms, causes, and effects. Most importantly, we need to know how our body optimally functions so we can provide it with the care it needs to thrive.

Modern day society has led us to believe that stress is normal. To be successful in life means pushing ourselves harder and longer. However, this comes with a high price. The price we pay is not immediate, but rather a series of symptoms, or indicator lights, that add up over time. Eventually, our body simply quits on us, leaving us with a major health crisis.

Below are several symptoms to help you determine whether or not you are stuck in stress overdrive:

Food cravings – Our craving for salty or sweet foods intensifies when we are under stress because it provides energy and replenish our systems. Have your cravings increased?
Negativity – Stress causes us to be more judgmental and irritable. Have you been cranky lately?
Sleep deprived – Being over-stressed makes sleeping soundly more difficult. Do you wake up in the morning feeling exhausted?
Belly fat – High stress creates higher levels of cortisol in our body. This excess contributes to extra weight around our middle section. Have you been frustrated with your inability to lose weight?

It is possible to reverse this stress cycle if we make the effort. Here are a few ideas to offset the stress in our lives, especially if we find ourselves in stress overload:

Take time each day to breathe slowly and deeply for at least 5 minutes.
Go outside and walk or simply sit and enjoy the scenery.
Enjoy a relaxing bath.
Try yoga.
Create space in your home for meditation and practice quieting your mind for 10 minutes.
Call a good friend.
Get a massage.

Remember to be aware of your body’s indicator lights. When given the warning, be proactive and don’t let stress take its toll on your body unnecessarily.

Healing With Functional Medicine

October 18, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

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:

Antecedents are precursors that set the stage for illness. These can include asthma, antibiotics, previous injuries, irritable bowel syndrome, and childhood stress.
Triggers are what sets off an illness such as a virus, suffering a loss, and a lack of exercise.
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?

Why Student Athletes Need Rehabilitation

Tinnitus (Ringing In the Ears)

Chronic Conditions and Chiropractic Care

How Fear Keeps the Extra Weight On

A Healthy Lifestyle Is the Ultimate Vacation

Looks Can Be Deceiving With Our Health

Exercise Is Key to Healthy Aging

What Are Good Fats?

Combating Stress Overload

Healing With Functional Medicine

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Dr. Andrew Damron, Chiropractor

Dr. Greg Washam, Chiropractor

Brooke Snyder, Operations Manager

Nicole Foreman, Licensed Massage Therapist

Erika Pantona, Insurance Specialist

Amy Faris, Patient Care Coordinator

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