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Phase 3 – Wellness Maintenance

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

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

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

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

Chronic Diseases

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In November of 2015, Prevention magazine had an article titled “6 Things Chiropractors Can Help With – And What They Can’t.” The overall message of the article gave very compelling reasons to see a chiropractor beyond neck and back pain. However, it missed the mark on what they cannot treat. With all the misinformation out there regarding the field of chiropractic, it’s time to set the record straight. A Chiropractor can help treat chronic diseases.

First, let’s address the 6 things are that Doctors of Chiropractic can help with:

  1. Lower Back Pain
  2. Neck Pain
  3. Pregnancy Pain
  4. Digestive Issues
  5. Headaches
  6. Blood Pressure

The first two are the most obvious reasons people choose to see a chiropractor. But what about the other four?

A pregnant woman is told to avoid anything that would harm her developing baby. However, the pain that accompanies most pregnancies, especially the further along a mother is, can make her think twice about how to alleviate it. A Chiropractor can use the Webster technique to realign the pelvis. This can successfully address the pain associated with the lower back and sciatica without the use of potentially harmful medications.

Now what about digestive issues? The nerves in the thoracic spine are connected to the digestive system. A misalignment in this region can cause symptoms from indigestion, heartburn, ulcers, bloating and gas. Spinal adjustments can keep a person’s digestive systems functioning as it should. No more digestive issues.

Next on the list are headaches, which is a common problem experienced by many individuals. The cervical spine contains the nerves responsible for this type of pain if there is an irritation.  A chiropractor can restore proper alignment to offset this interference, many times eliminating the headaches and migraines all together.

Lastly, let’s talk blood pressure. There is a University of Chicago study that took 50 people who had both high blood pressure and neck misalignment. With only one chiropractic adjustment, their blood pressure dropped the same as if they took two blood pressure medications at the same time? That is truly an amazing outcome!

Now for the areas that a chiropractor cannot help with, according to the article. It’s true that a medical doctor is better trained at treating acute emergencies, infections, fractures, tumors and injuries that require surgery. But, just like a medical doctor, a chiropractor can and does help with chronic diseases. The difference is in their approaches. Many times a chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol is treated with prescription medications by a medical doctor. A chiropractor, on the other hand, will take a more holistic approach and work with the patient to make lifestyle changes to address the chronic disease. This is addressing the root of the problem rather than the symptoms. Which in the end, resolves the symptoms and the problem as well.

Who’s Driving?

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There are two ways to live your life, and you may have heard this saying before, too. You can be in the driver’s seat or the passenger seat. Being in the driver’s seat means you are in control. You decide where you are going. Being a passenger, on the other hand, means something entirely different. You do not have control of the wheel. You are simply along for the ride. You have allowed someone else to make decisions for you essentially. When it comes to health and wellness, the question we need to ask ourselves is “Who’s driving?” Are we, or are we allowing modern day conveniences and a sedentary lifestyle drive us?

It may come as no surprise that our society is facing a health epidemic. Obesity rates are at an all time high and with that comes type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic inflammation. But why is this the case today? Is it because we have allowed ourselves to be put into the passenger seat of life? And if we have, why would we give up control on our life? Is it easier that way? Is it more convenient? Or have we simply given up on ourselves?

If you have found yourself in the passenger seat of life, there is a way to move over to the driver’s side. The first step is realizing you have put yourself in the passenger seat. The second step is actually wanting to move to the other side. The third is remembering that you always had control of you. Talk to anyone who has lost weight, got healthier, got off their medications for type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. You can see their joy before they even speak a single word. They decided to get in the driver’s seat once again. The feeling of accomplishment and success permeates from them. Yes, it may have taken a while to reach their goals, but each day they remained in the driver’s seat.

You can do it, too. Yes, it’s true. Just slide over to the driver’s seat and grab the wheel. Begin now on your journey back to wellness. If you need help, you can drive yourself right over to us. Our passion is restoring wellness to those we serve.

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.

A Sleep Epidemic

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There was a recent survey published in USA Today that asked the respondents the question, “How do you sleep at night?” Surprisingly, only 8% of the adults who responded said they routinely wake up feeling rested. I’m willing to bet that all of us remember those blissful days of our youth, when sleep came naturally and fully. Where we slept through the night for 10-12 hours at a time. Waking up in the morning we really felt completely refreshed. We opted for orange juice or milk then rather than coffee or tea today. So, why can we not enjoy that same quality of sleep as we age? Why do we find ourselves in the midst of an apparent sleep epidemic?

For many of us, getting older means significant changes to our lifestyle, our responsibilities, sleep patterns, and stress levels. The hectic pace of our life causes us to make food choices that may not be the ideal. Over time, improper nutrition, lack of exercise, and constant levels of stress have a cumulative effect on our body, especially if we do not take steps to neutralize it. The most profound effect is on our sleep which is the linchpin that keeps everything else in our body running as it should.

Without sufficient and consistent sleep, we become irritable, weary, easily frustrated, more susceptible to infection, and desperate to do whatever it takes to get through the day. This means increasing our consumption of caffeine, sugary snacks, and sometimes alcohol to help us sleep at night. The tendency to put on excess weight increases, because we simply don’t have the energy to exercise as we should. The extra weight can cause inflammation, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. And it’s all rooted in life’s most essential necessities – sleep.

We find ourselves in a sleep epidemic because we downplay the significance of sleep. We forget the effort our own parents put into getting us to bed at a reasonable time to keep us healthy and happy. Look into the mirror. What do you see? Does the face of the person looking back at you look tired? If you stop to really think about it, how tired do you really feel? When was the last time you had a good night of sleep or woke up feeling well rested?

While quality of sleep is the ultimate goal, it may be more than a matter of going to bed earlier. We may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This could be the indication of an underlying issue that requires a change in diet, exercise, supplementation, or hormone stabilization. Only you have the power to determine how well you treat the body you find yourself in. Don’t you deserve to feel the best each and every day?

A Good Health “Impression”

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What is a good health “impression”? Let’s start with a few simple analogies to help explain.

Growing up, we were told never to “judge a book by its cover.” If we did that we’d miss out reading a great book, simply because there wasn’t a great picture on the cover compelling us to open it. It’s interesting how a simple piece of advice can apply to other areas of our life. Take, for example, meeting a new person. Will we make a snap judgement about them without getting to know them? Or, what about purchasing a new home? Will we miss the potential in a piece of real estate because the house is in need of an exterior paint job? There is also a flip side to this lesson, as well. Do we make the assumption that a pretty package automatically makes something good for us? Common sense would tell us that it doesn’t.  But how many times do we make the decision based on appearance alone for the sake of a good health “impression”?

When it comes to our health, the same philosophy can be applied. Judging our personal health by what we see on the outside can be deceiving. Deceiving and deadly. Many times, the last sign we see that something is wrong with our health is the one on the surface. Take, for example, high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammation, hormone imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies. Just because we can’t see the effects of these conditions doesn’t mean they don’t exist.  Yet, how many of us do just that? It’s almost like we’d rather wait until it’s a four-alarm fire before we acknowledge there is a problem with our health.

The difference is choosing to be on the offense, versus the defense, when it comes to protecting our most cherished possession – our health. For too long, many of us have been on the defense, blocking the curve balls that life throws at us as we age. We seem to prefer reacting to health scares and challenges, rather than investing in prevention. But, what an easier road we could travel if we chose the offensive approach. Choosing to take the steps each and every day to give our body what it needs to serve us well. Daily steps such as:

  • Staying physically active
  • Getting the recommended sleep each night
  • Drinking alcohol with moderation
  • Not smoking
  • Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein
  • Creating a baseline of our health so we can anticipate problems before they arise
  • Learning to listen to how we feel each day
  • Advocating for ourselves
  • Relying less on the “truths” of big business and the media
  • Assuming less

Healthy aging requires nothing more than our willingness to not be passive any longer. To challenge the status quo so that we can reap the benefits with good health. Removing our assumptions enables us to enjoy a better quality of life, for ourselves and those we love.

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