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Why a Car Accident Is Never Minor

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Why do we minimize pain? It seems that no matter the situation, from truly minor to extremely major, we brush it off and move on as if nothing happened. Watch any sporting event and observe how players experience serious physical contact yet get right back in the game again. Or the people on the side of the road after a car accident, declining the trip to the emergency room because they “feel fine.” Feeling fine does not mean our body is fine. If that was the case, then we would know the moment a cancer cell becomes a threat to our health.

A police officer was referred to DCW after experiencing a minor crash during a high speed chase that he walked away from. On the surface he appeared uninjured. Yes, there is no immediate trauma that requires emergency attention; however, what about the micro-trauma inside the body from the impact?

The average car weighs 4,000 pounds, or 2-tons. In the case of the cop, he was pursuing a suspect in his car and traveling fast. This energy of motion is called kinetic energy. The faster the motion the higher the energy. While there are many safety features in a car to protect us like seat belts, air bags, and shatterproof glass, we are still delicate flesh traveling inside a metal container. Upon impact, the car is designed to absorb as much kinetic energy as possible. However, the faster the car is moving the less time the car has to absorb the energy. So, where does it go then? To us. Our body absorbs it.

To ensure that our body is functioning as it should after any car accident, a visit to the chiropractor is a must. Why? Because symptoms may not present themselves until several weeks later. Minor misalignment in the spine can affect different parts of the body and can cause significant problems later on. Be proactive and see your chiropractor after a car accident, no matter how minor. This approach will save you unnecessary pain and suffering, not to mention money.

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.

The Thoracic Spine

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The thoracic spine in the human body contains the most number of vertebrae, twelve to be exact. It comprises the upper and middle back and serves primarily as a source of stability and protection of the vital organs. The thoracic spine is the least flexible as all but two of the vertebrae connect directly to the ribs and sternum. The remaining two, T11 and T12, do not connect to the sternum but still provide protection to the kidneys. Because there are twelve vertebrae there are many areas of the body that is controlled by the nerves in the thoracic spine, and as such, a variety of symptoms that can present themselves if there is a problem.

Think about all that is contained within your rib cage. Your heart, lungs, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, spleen and adrenal glands. If there is an irritation to one of the vertebrae because of an injury or a misalignment due to excessive wear and tear, a symptom can appear that seems unrelated. If you are unfamiliar with chiropractic care, would you know that acne, allergies, shortness of breath, or chronic tiredness could be symptoms of an irritation in the nerves of T11, T9, T1 or T10 respectively? Not knowing the correlation could mean we take unnecessary prescription medications, suffer needlessly, or drink too much caffeine simply to get through the day. But have we really addressed the underlying problem? No.

So, is it any wonder that only 20% of the population has seen a chiropractor? That is a small percentage who understand the correlation between the spine and the rest of the body. That is a small percentage who have looked past the symptoms to uncover the true cause. The good news is that knowledge is power. Power to positively impact your health. Power to positively impact your finances by avoiding unnecessary doctor visits that will only cover the symptoms not the root of the problem like a Chiropractor does.

Irritation or an injury with the nerves in the thoracic spine can cause symptoms such as:

  • asthma
  • pain in the lower arms and hands
  • bronchitis
  • pneumonia
  • jaundice
  • shingles
  • ulcers
  • hives
  • heartburn
  • eczema
  • gas pains

There is always an answer to pain and discomfort. It is how your body “talks” to you and tells you that something is amiss. Always listen to what it has to say.

The Hazards of High Heels

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You’ve heard the saying, “The shoes make the outfit.” Women and their shoes. It all started when we were young, dressing up in our mother’s clothing, with lots of jewelry, and heels! And the higher the heel the better. Didn’t matter if they didn’t fit us, we just loved the way they looked on our little feet. Now that we are older, high heels speak femininity, make us feel sexy, makes our legs more shapely, and our outfit look better. As much as we love them, wearing heels comes with a price. This price affects our posture, knees, muscles, tendons, and potential for pain.

Just like anything in life, there needs to be a balance. Balancing the good versus the bad to create a happy medium. A good example is with our diet. Maintaining a healthy diet doesn’t mean cutting out all the bad stuff. It means keeping that bad stuff in moderation. It can’t be all or nothing. Moderation is key. Now, if we look at shoes the same can be said, especially when we understand the impact the shoe has on our body.

High heels cause many changes in our body:

  • They put our whole body out of alignment. The heels are unnaturally raised above the toes. This, in turn, creates a shift in our hips, shoulders, back, and spine. In the long-run this can cause severe lower back and leg pain.
  • The higher the heel, the more pressure on the front of the foot. This can cause bruising, ankle injuries, pain, tendinitis, and even arthritis.
  • Our balance can be affected, which increases our chances of falling and spraining or breaking an ankle.
  • Much of our body weight is carried by the ball of our foot. Over time this can create a condition called metatarsalgia, which is pain in the foot just before the toes.
  • Pressure is increased on our knees due to the body shifting forward. One study found the pressure on the knees to be increased by 26%. This situation increases one’s risk of developing arthritis in that area.
  • Because the muscles and tendons naturally contract when we walk in high heels, long-term wear can cause them to shorten and tighten creating tendinitis.
  • “Pump Bump” is a term used to describe the bony enlargement on the back of the heel that can develop from the straps of shoes or simple the height of it. This condition is also known as Haglund’s deformity.
  • Hammertoes can develop from squeezing our feet into poor fitting high heeled shoes. This causes the toes to curl in order to fit into the shoe. Over time, this can cause the toes to become misshapen.

By understanding how shoes, especially high heeled shoes, affect our body, we can make better choices in terms of which shoes we purchase and how long we wear them. Being aware can help us age well so we don’t negatively impact the later years of our life.

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