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Metabolism and Weight Loss

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As individuals, we are so unique that even our metabolism is vastly different than anyone else. Metabolism, or the way we use the calories we consume to sustain life, is central to our overall health. Understanding how our body works in terms of metabolism and weight loss will prevent needless frustration and keep your goals realistic and attainable. So what exactly is metabolism? What factors can affect it? And how can we determine what our metabolism is?

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, metabolism is “the sum of chemical reactions that take place within each cell of a living organism and that provide energy for vital processes and for synthesizing new organic material.” Essentially, metabolism is the process by which the food we eat is converted to fuel. This fuel, or energy, gives us the ability to perform each and every function, from the ones we perform intentionally to those our body simply does for us like breathing, circulating blood, and tissue repair.

There are three factors that can affect our metabolism:

  1. The number of calories we need to maintain life.
  2. The number of calories we use during physical activity.
  3. The number of calories we consume each day.

A key component of metabolism is how your body uses proteins to build muscle and how it uses nutrients for fuel. The first is called anabolism, the second catabolism. If you eat far more than you burn each day, your body will be forced to store the excess energy which, in time, will increase your weight. You will also begin to accelerate your aging. The extra weight puts a tremendous burden on each system of your body simply because it needs to work harder to do even the most basic things like breathing. This, in addition to your age, height, gender, and body composition, also affects the rate of your metabolism.

You can determine your metabolism through both a resting and active assessment that includes a respiration test. This can be a useful tool in determining your baseline and help create your personalized plan to improved health. It can also tell you which you burn more of, fat or carbohydrates, for fuel, plus your ideal heart rate zone that promotes weight loss.

Understanding the unique needs of your body will prevent you from compare yourself and your progress to others. This journey towards wellness is for you alone. Honor who and what you are, and give your body the tools it needs for success.

Weight Loss

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Just like no two snowflakes are alike, neither are any two people. Remembering that truth is essential to any successful weight loss goal. Why? Well, because regardless of the “diet” or change in lifestyle, our physical make-up, metabolism, hormone balance, exercise level, and other variables have a direct effect on our weight. Discarding the “one size fits all” mentality when it comes to successful weight loss will help to manage expectations and alleviate frustrations on the road to better health.

In the U.S., 69% of adults are overweight or obese, yet a vast majority report that they want to lose weight. Contributing to the lack of success of weight loss is the notion of one solution for all. The reality is that what works for one person may not work for another. Fortunately, today there exists a variety of tools to help determine the ideal solution for an individual based on their own body and lifestyle. A weight loss solution can now be customized to fit you and your needs.

The tools that are now available to tailor a weight loss plan range from blood and saliva tests to urine and fecal. These tests can be found in clinics, some better health clubs, and your chiropractor’s office. By assessing the latest scientific research, the results of your lab tests, and your health history, a custom approach to a successful weight loss program can be developed. However, it’s important to note that there are a few challenges, too. The challenges involve you getting better acquainted with your unique biological and lifestyle factors and how they affect each other. The good news is that the payoff is worth the extra effort, because enjoying the results of lasting weight loss is truly priceless.

Here are the factors that affect each person’s weight loss strategy:

  • Nutrition
  • Metabolism
  • Microbiome
  • Hormones
  • Environmental Toxins
  • Genes

The next 6 blog posts will specifically address each factor, ways to determine if it potentially affects you, and how to effectively work with each to custom tailor a weight loss program that is successful.

How To Prevent Accelerated Aging

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At a fundamental level, we know sugar, fat, and salt is bad for us. When we are young, our body is up to the challenge. The challenge of offsetting the effects of eating too much of the bad things and rebounding. As we age, however, the wear and tear of every day life takes its toll on our body. Our reaction time slows and our body’s ability to counter the effects of poor eating habits becomes less successful. In time, the poor eating habits win over and we slowly succumb to the effects of what we eat. We become that which we do not want – a body of inflammation, insulin resistant, hormone fluctuations, and weight gain. Simply knowing that certain foods are bad for us may not be enough to convince us to change. However, knowing what these culprits do to our body and the long-term effect it has on us may be just the catalyst we need to change our eating habits.

We love convenience foods. Something that gives us extra time. While the convenience can be priceless at the time, the cost to make it that way comes with a price later. Ensuring shelf-life and stability requires the manufacturer to add chemicals to prevent the breakdown of the food item. Our body was not designed to tolerate the daily influx of chemicals. The constant onslaught creates an environment of inflammation, which is really a low-grade, systemic irritation that begins at our core and permeates throughout our body. The problem with inflammation is that it accelerates our aging process. While aging is a natural process, no one would say “Please make me age faster.” But eating processed foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils does just that. How? By eroding the protection on our genes that inhibit cell death. If the protection is gone, cell death (a natural process) occurs much faster than it normally would.

Having a sweet tooth and eating more of it than we should also ages our body by slowing the body’s repair mechanism. It also creates oxidative stress which leads to a build up of toxins. Eating too many refined carbohydrates is another culprit to aging us because in essence, refined carbs are really sugars. Meals that are laden with refined carbs cause a spike in our insulin. Inevitably the pancreas miscalculates how much insulin it needs so too much is then circulating in our system. Once this happens, blood sugar drops and you find yourself hungry again a short time later. Insulin resistance develops which is a precursor to diseases like type 2 diabetes.

So what is the fix to prevent an acceleration to our aging?

  • Reduce the amount of processed foods you consume. Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store when you shop.
  • Eat the right kinds of fats that nourish the cell membranes. Fats that are high in omega-3 such as salmon, grouper, flax seeds, and sesame seeds are ideal.
  • Increase your intake of leafy greens and berries. Foods that contain antioxidants and phytonutrients.
  • Stay away from refined sugar as much as possible. Instead, to satisfy your sweet tooth, opt for foods made with honey or maple syrup. Don’t swap sugar for artificial sweeteners either.
  • Choose carbohydrates from whole-food sources such as whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and seeds.

Be realistic with your expectations. Change in smaller increments if it’s easier that way. Don’t go in with the attitude of “all or nothing.” Removing the barriers to optimal health will help your body begin the process of healing and help to decelerate the aging process. Healthy aging should look and feel good.

Reversing Obesity

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Whether obesity is considered a disease or a health epidemic, it is a reality that can have devastating consequences. A recent article in USA Today, highlighted the fact that while this is certainly the case, there is also no magic solution for those who suffer from obesity. In fact, Americans spend nearly $60 billion a year on the latest diet trends, books, and pills with only modest results: “two-thirds of U.S. adults remain overweight or obese. And those who lose weight often just lose just a few pounds. Many then regain the weight.” The real message here? Only through a lifestyle change can wellness be found.

There is no arguing the countless risks associated with obesity:

  • high blood pressure
  • high cholesterol
  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • stroke
  • gallbladder disease
  • osteoarthritis
  • sleep apnea and respiratory problems
  • some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

However, these risks also affect one’s quality of life and the life of those they love. In order to help change this scenario, one needs to change their perceptions of weight loss and the idea that there is exists a miracle product that will shift the responsibility from them to something else. As much as we’d like to believe that the solution lies outside of us, the reality is that it lies within. It always has. Barring a medical condition, we are what we eat and what we do. If we choose poor eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, and high stress careers, we can’t be too surprised by the side effects. We gave ourselves subpar fuel, we skimped on daily maintenance in favor of convenience and the fast -track. We voluntarily tipped the scales to “get it all done” each day. But there is always a price to be paid when we do that, especially as we get older.

Lifestyle changes are necessary to reverse obesity. Lifestyle changes such as:

  • Learning the value of proper nutrition, where to find it, how it affects your body.
  • Changing eating habits from snack times to the food items we snack on.
  • Protecting our sleep to ensure we get enough each night.
  • Taking inventory of our recreational activities and perhaps, looking for new, healthier options.
  • Investing time to raise our heart rate every day at least 20-30 minutes with activities like walking, cycling, swimming, tennis, or hiking.
  • Lowering our expectations of weight loss with regards to how much we can lose and how fast.
  • Being satisfied in the daily choices we make for a healthier lifestyle and patiently waiting for the changes to manifest themselves in us.
  • Finding a place such as a wellness or fitness center to be your accountability partner, because let’s face it, there will be bumps on our journey to better health.

The obesity trend can be reversed. Investing in ourselves is investing in our future. We can improve the quality of our life one step, one choice, and one change at a time. The power is literally right inside us.

Lowering Blood Pressure Through Adjustments

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The more we age, the more we hear certain words:

  • cholesterol
  • blood pressure
  • weight
  • diabetes

If we age well, these words cause us no concern.  If we don’t, we go on high alert, monitoring our sugar levels, our weight, and food intake. Healthy aging really requires a team effort. While there are countless steps we can take ourselves to promote healthy aging, like eating a balanced diet and staying active, having the support of a team of healthcare professionals to keep you on the right path is helpful. Research is continuing to suggest that chiropractic adjustments have blood pressure lowering benefits. This is yet another significant advantage to adding a chiropractor to your healthcare team.

One of the keys to healthy aging is minimizing our dependence on pharmaceuticals. The reason? Pharmaceuticals simply mask the root of the problem. Granted, if we have high blood pressure and take a blood pressure lowering drug, we will lower our blood pressure. But why was our blood pressure high to begin with? What are the side effects of taking a particular pharmaceutical? How much do these side effects negatively impact our lives? If we make no other changes to our lifestyle other than taking a pill each day have we really addressed the root cause? No, we have not. It’s true that when a doctor prescribes a particular medicine, like one for lowering blood pressure, that there is also the expectation that the patient will also take other steps to improve their overall health. Steps like eating a healthy diet and exercising. However, the reality is that we have a safety net in place with the prescription medication. Even if we aren’t making the best decisions each day to encourage a healthy lifestyle, the medication will pick up the slack.

The reality is that prescription medications should be viewed as a temporary bridge between where we are and where we want to go. If we can avoid it, they should never become a permanent fixture in our lives. Rather, we should take the steps necessary to improve our lives to the point where we no longer need medications like those to lower our blood pressure. Adding a chiropractor to your healthcare team can be a pivotal step in getting you where you want to go in terms of better health. Lowering blood pressure and pulse rate through chiropractic adjustments are just one of the countless health benefits to chiropractic care.

Continue to increase your arsenal of resources to promote your healthy aging. Not only for you, but for those you love as well.

Menopause and Andropause

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By the year 2050, one in five Americans will be older than age 50, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While getting older is a goal we all strive towards, we experience bumps along the road as our body ages. For a woman, a major bump is menopause, which marks the end of her reproductive period. For a man, he has a similar experience with andropause. Both have the ability to cause profound changes in a person’s life with the manifestation various symptoms. However, with a proactive approach through the care of a chiropractor, the bumps along the way can be minimized so that aging can be both healthy and happy.

The decline in hormones during menopause does not happen suddenly to a woman. Over a period of 6-8 years prior to menopause, the hormones estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate. This fluctuation leads to profound changes to a woman’s body and life. These changes include irregular periods, mood swings, irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, disturbed sleep, increased abdominal fat, and urinary problems. Additionally, after menopause, the likelihood of other health conditions increase as well, from bone loss and heart disease to memory loss and loss of libido. However, many of these symptoms can respond favorably to changes in nutrition, exercise, and dietary supplements. Interestingly, exercise is one of the most important and effective ways to prevent or improve these menopausal symptoms.

In men, the hormone testosterone begins to decline in their 50s. Just as with women, men can experience significant changes and health concerns during this period of life. Examples include loss of sexual function, weight gain, fatigue, bone loss, anemia, and declining muscle strength. Under the care of a chiropractor, a man experiencing andropause can help offset this change with exercise and dietary changes. A diet that incorporates a heart-healthy foods is the ideal such as the Mediterranean diet which is high in fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish. There is a significant correlation between good cardiovascular health and improved sexual health.

Aligning yourself with a reputable chiropractor as your partner in healthy aging can provide you with the tools to increase the quality of your life, no matter what phase it may be.

The Truth About Sugar

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Sugar comes in many forms, some more obvious than others. Obvious forms of sugar include powdered sugar, brown sugar, table sugar, and turbinado sugar. We know that using excessive amounts of these types of sugars is bad for our health. We know that consuming too much of it can cause a whole host of health problems such as cavities, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. However, this is only part of the sugar problem that our society faces today. The truth about sugar is that it exists in just about every type of food we eat each day. Some of it occurs naturally, some is added, and some is ultimately converted from something else like carbohydrates. Understanding how sugar affects you and where it is found will empower you to make better choices.

Assuming we are careful with our sugar intake, we may not realize that choosing not to eat a candy bar but instead drinking that energy drink is the better option. Hidden sugars make it difficult for us to make healthier decisions, unless we know where to find them. Sugar is found in high fructose corn syrup, fruit, cereal, rice pudding, and carrot cake. It also comes in the form of simple and complex carbohydrates with foods like white rice, bread and pasta made with refined flour, pastries, whole grain breads, and starchy vegetables like corn, peas, white potatoes, and beans. But, you might be thinking, how can something healthy like corn or whole wheat bread be potentially harmful to my overall health?

Essentially, carbohydrates turn into sugar. And while some types of carbohydrates take much longer than others to convert to sugar, like those from complex carbohydrates, they eventually do as well. The key is to ensure you balance your intake of sugar and carbohydrates. There is a vicious cycle that occurs each time we eat foods that are processed or highly refined. Sugar and simple carbohydrates break down in our body into glucose (an energy source every cell needs) and quickly enter our bloodstream. The glucose, in turn, releases insulin to regulate the amount of glucose (energy) that the cells receive. Rather than having a constant and even supply of energy, there is a surge followed shortly by a significant drop in blood sugar. This creates that vicious cycle where we feel that dip and get sluggish, turn to less than healthy snacks to boost our energy, and find ourselves dipping again a short time later.

The solution? Consume more complex carbohydrates, as they contain fiber, which slows the sugar break down. It becomes more of a steady flow, which helps to manage energy levels better. We don’t feel that dip as we do with sugary treats and simple carbohydrates. Including healthy fats makes a difference, too, like avocados, eggs, and nuts. Being aware of what you eat, and when, will help keep your blood sugar in balance so you can have that authentic energy to enjoy every day.

Hurry Up & Wait

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Think about the last time you had an appointment at the optometrist, primary care doctor, or other health specialist. How long did you have to wait to see that particular person? Did you find yourself waiting for quite some time only to feel yourself getting frustrated and anxious because you needed to return to work or pick up the kids? More often than not, we hurry up to get to our various doctor appointments and then wait. It is not uncommon to wait 30 minutes to an hour to see a doctor. Waiting rooms are usually full and surprisingly accepted as normal. It seems that we are expected to wait.

There is an interesting phenomenon in the world of chiropractic care. One that may be unheard of to the majority of the population – minimal wait time. Actually, many times there is no wait time at all. Imagine walking into your Chiropractor’s office at your appointment time and seeing your doctor within a few minutes of your arrival? Imagine not only being treated and getting healthy once again, but returning to your day with minimal disruptions to your schedule. Truly the best of both worlds!

There is a better way to seek and receive medical care, especially if you are living with pain. Whether it’s pain from a past injury, pain from a new injury, or pain from a recent car accident or work accident. Living with chronic pain can be optional. So is how long you wait to get better. Take some time to do some research on the vast benefits of chiropractic care. Begin to see past the big advertisements and research sponsored by big business and look for the truth as it relates to optimal wellness. Question misconceptions and false truths. Choose solutions versus a band-aid approach that masks the problems. Decide to identify the root of your health problem so you can get back to living pain-free, once and for all.

Chiropractic care is extremely effective and results-driven, where long wait times are a thing of the past.

National Chiropractic Health Month

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Did you know that October is National Chiropractor Month? Each year the month of October is designated to this medical specialty and its countless benefits. There is also a theme selected each year by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), and this year it’s “#PainFreeNation.”

According to a 2011 report by the Institute of Medicine, approximately 100 million Americans are affected by chronic pain, with “an estimated cost to American society of at least $560-$635 billion.” The result of this pain is the overuse of medications such as codeine, Vicodin, oxycodone, and Percocet. However, the problem is that these painkillers mask the problem plus increase the risk of death due to overdose. So, October is dedicated to helping Americans live pain-free without the over-dependence on prescription medications – “#PainFreeNation.”

The field of chiropractic is focused on the wellness of the entire person using a non-drug approach. Chiropractors look beyond the symptoms and work with the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to get to the root of the problem. Practices like Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) even take it a step further by incorporating therapeutic massage, rehabilitation, and nutrition into the treatment plan, as well. The trend today is quickly moving in the direction of a conservative, multidisciplinary approach when it comes to the treatment of pain. This couldn’t come at a better time because the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had called the abuse of prescription pain medications as an “epidemic.”

In January of this year, a paramount change was made to the standards of care as it related to treating chronic pain. For the first time ever, Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) were included. This change came as the result of The Joint Commission, an independent not-for-profit organization, that accredits and certifies over 20,000 healthcare institutions and programs in the U.S. Since 1951, The Joint Commission has been in existence, ensuring that every hospital and health care facility provides “safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.” This is a huge milestone in the field of chiropractic because society is finally acknowledging the over-reliance on prescription drugs to treat pain.

October is a month that really puts the focus back on you. The trend in healthcare is finally shifting to one that does not simply treat the symptoms, but rather the cause. Digging deeper to give you the best outcomes for a higher quality of life that is ultimately pain-free.

Dietary Patterns & Brain Health

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Raise your hand if getting older is something you look forward to. I’m guessing there are very few hands going up right now. While aging isn’t optional, healthy aging is. But there are several facets to healthy aging, from physical and emotional to social and cognitive. One is not necessarily more important than the other; however, without mental capability, the others simply cannot be. Our cognitive ability dictates how the rest of us will function. The higher our cognitive ability the more we can connect with others, take better care of ourselves, and remain active. Take away our cognitive ability and those areas cease to exist. So, as we continue to age, how do we ensure our brain power is kept strong?

To sustain life, we need to eat. Eating can mean different things to different people, but it essentially boils down to eating smart. Elementary school taught us the food groups – meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables, fish, whole grains – yet how many of us use that information when planning what to eat?

A recent article in USA Today highlighted how dietary patterns offer “the best hope for feeding your brain.” So what does this mean? We have all heard of superfoods, foods like acai berries, spinach, and wheat grass. And while it’s true that they are packed with nutrients that are beneficial to our health, we cannot just rely on one food item to maintain optimal health. It is the entire diet that impacts our health.

There a several studies suggesting that there are certain diets that help slow cognitive decline. Ironically, these are the same diets that are also good for our hearts. Some of these diets might even help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and they typically contain those superfoods. A few diets the article mentioned were:

  • The Mediterranean Diet
  • The DASH Diet
  • The Mind Diet

Each of these diets contain fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and lean proteins, plus provide that dietary pattern researchers are most interested in. The belief is that there is a synergistic effect from the nutrients found in whole foods that have a positive impact on brain health. So, the bottom-line is – eat smart and create a dietary pattern that helps to prevent memory loss and other signs of brain aging.

Aging is going to happen whether we like it or not, so why not make it work to your advantage?

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