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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.

The Chiropractic Care Conundrum

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There are a lot of things in life we don’t question because we make assumptions and trust the source. We don’t question the gasoline that is put in our car, the dyes used to color our hair, the restaurants we dine at, the chemicals on our lawn, or the safety of the cars we drive. However, there are still times when we do question things in life, too, but perhaps not truly understanding why. Take, for example, the distrust of a field of medicine that is not considered “mainstream,” such as chiropractic care. Why do we trust the food we eat, the gasoline we purchase, the chemicals we put on our lawn and hair, yet question the integrity of a medical profession that is committed to genuine health and wellness for over 100 years?

Education is the only way to change this perception of chiropractic care. Unfortunately, society has been conditioned to believe what they see and hear. Print and television ads become the truth. But just because it is advertised does that really mean we take that information at face value? What is typically best for us cannot always be advertised.

So, how can the public be educated? Ownership falls on each of us. It is our duty to advocate for ourselves. Taking the time to research from reputable sources versus relying on what might be skewed information from a paid ad. Another consideration is our own willingness to actually put in the work for our well-being. In a society of instant gratification, obtaining a life of health and wellness means we are not a bystander. We are an active participant that is fully invested in the outcome. There are no quick solutions, but there are long-term rewards.

Change your perspective through education. Learn as much as you can about how you can truly work towards living your best life now without taking any shortcuts.

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.

 

Maintaining Good Health Is Not a Luxury

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Luxuries in life include many things from exclusive vacations, exquisite dining, a day of pampering, to a sporty new car. We treat ourselves to these luxuries as a reward. The reward could be for hard work, getting through a difficult time, or celebrating a special occasion. Sometimes we treat things as a luxury even when it really isn’t. We experience it sporadically and lose interest when it isn’t fun anymore. A great example of this is with our health and wellness.

Gyms across the country are filled with people looking to get in shape and lose weight. They are decked out in the latest technology, shoes, and apparel. All too often this is not their first attempt at wellness. What makes this time any different than the others? Will this be the next attempt in a series? Why are we treating our health and wellness as if it were a luxury?

Being fit and in good health should be the standard, a priority. It should never be something we think about during the Holidays or just before bathing suit season. At the gym, personal trainers find that people are not interested in investing in their professional help. They have decided they will “do it themselves.” because their money was spent on technology, shoes, and their brand new apparel. Without realizing it, the person is sending a message that this “workout thing” is simply a luxury to them. Looking good on the surface is more important.

It’s time to set the bar higher for ourselves. Good health and overall wellness should never be considered a luxury that we occasionally partake in. It is a priceless asset that raises our quality of life. It is a commitment we make to ourselves every day, not as a reward, but as an essential foundation to our living.

Commit to Your Health

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Bringing a child to the grocery store is challenging. A battle typically ensues that is a balancing act between food that promotes good health and food that does not. When we grow up things are no different. We battle ourselves over how much we should indulge ourselves and how well we should eat. As an adult the difference is there is no one telling us ‘no.’ We are left to make decisions for ourselves; countless ones, each and every day.

We can face making too many bad choices over a long period of time. Things like too much fast food, not enough water or exercise, eating processed foods, and skimping on sleep. At some point in our life we second guess our bad choices. We want to change, but change can be difficult and it take time to see results.

However, change can happen if we are committed to ourselves. After awhile, poor lifestyle choices ultimately have a domino effect on our bodies from weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. It can even then lead to conditions like chronic pain in places like our back, neck, and legs.

A healthier life means surrounding yourself with others that have the same wellness goals as you. That doesn’t necessarily mean joining a health club (although those are fantastic places to find those people) but rather doing simple things like:

  • walking with a friend.
  • heading to the local farmer’s market and talking to the farmers about their produce.
  • packing a lunch for you and a co-worker instead of going out to eat.

It’s amazing how surrounding yourself with the right people in the right environment can inspire you. At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) we work hard to create an environment of wellness. We work hard to be a positive influence in people’s lives through weight loss, alleviating pain, strength training and healing gut issues. We are committed to your health, but are you committed too?

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?

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?

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.

4 Areas of Rehabilitation

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Rehabilitation means different things to different people, but the focus is the same. If we look at the Latin roots we see that rehabilitation means “again” with the prefix re-, and “make fit” with habitare. The DCW Rehabilitation Department has four main areas of specialty:

  • Injury
  • Muscular Imbalance
  • Health Focused
  • Athlete and Sport Specific

The most recognized of the four is our Injury Rehabilitation. This therapy helps individuals who were hurt in a car accident, in the work place, or simply going about their daily activities. The goal is to “make fit” the areas of the body that have suffered from injury resulting in pain, weakness, decreased range of motion, or any other symptomatic effect to restore full functionality. Injury Rehab happens once the patient is out of acute pain and it complements the chiropractic treatments.

Similar to Injury Rehab, Muscular Imbalance Rehabilitation (MIR) is designed to alleviate pain. The difference is that the pain may not originate from a specific injury. The imbalance could be due to years of living and the body simply compensating for a deficiency in a part of the body. A great example of this type of imbalance is text neck. Text neck is caused by the imbalance the neck sustains from constantly looking down at a wireless device. The goal in this area is to rehabilitate the under- and over-active areas of the body with stretching and strengthening to alleviate chronic pain and discomfort, plus increase overall quality of life.

The last two areas of focus in our Rehabilitation Department are less well known. Some individuals are looking to improve the management of a specific health condition. These conditions can range from cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. Other conditions that would benefit from Health Focused Rehab are weight loss or stress management. Many times people need an accountability partner, plus the support of a well trained staff to get started. In addition, specific rehab exercises are modified to accommodate the needs of the patient until progress is made. This prevents unnecessary injury or harm from happening.

The other less familiar specialty is our rehab work with athletes. Playing any sport runs the risk of injury. These injuries can range from micro- to macro-. A micro-injury results from the “wear and tear” on the athletes body from playing the sport. A macro-injury, on the other hand, is due to overuse or a single impact. With this type of injury the cause is much more easily identified.  In order to get the athlete back, specific training is required. Our focus is on utilizing sport specific stretching, strengthening, conditioning, and skill development to restore and maintain their elite athletic performance. From grade school, to high school and collegiate sports, time is of the essence. However, so too is ensuring the athlete has been fully rehabbed to prevent re-injury.

No matter where you are at in life, things happen. The good news is that when things happen, DCW can help make you fit 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