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What Is Workers Compensation?

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Going to work is a part of life. Once you get to a certain age you work. Depending on the profession, the potential for injury varies. Working in construction in a high rise building or on a road crew is certainly more hazardous than working in an office setting. The safety measures we see today were not always available to protect employees. In fact, it took a book to raise awareness and create change in the workplace.  In 1906, Upton Sinclair published “The Jungle” highlighting the extreme dangers workers faced in the Chicago slaughterhouses. His intention was to stir up outrage so as to improve these work environments. His efforts paid off. Wisconsin passed the first workers compensation law in 1911.

Workers compensation is legislation designed to provide medical and wage replacement benefits for injured employees. In exchange for this benefit, the employee waives the right to sue their employer for negligence. An injury can be physical, a pre-existing condition that gets worse while on the job, or even work stress (depends on the state).

The most important thing to remember is to get medical attention as soon as the injury happens. In many cases the first stop is a medical doctor. However, depending on the injury there is more recovery that needs to happen before a person can return to work. While the acute pain and initial healing may have taken place, there may still be chronic pain and lack of mobility. It is very common in these instances for individuals to seek the care of a chiropractor after a work-related injury to address these ongoing issues.

The goal of a chiropractor is to bring the body back in alignment, without pain or limited function. In other words, the body may have morphed into a new position as a result of the injury to compensate. For example, lean to one side to reduce pain. This new position changes the natural alignment of the bones, not to mention the muscles and tendons surrounding them. In order to correct this situation, a series of spinal adjustments combined with massage therapy and rehabilitation are required. Just as it takes time for a wound to heal, the same applies to what lies beneath the skin.

Remember, if you are ever in a workplace accident, think of your recovery in two phases. The first is the immediate phase where medical attention is necessary for survival. The second phase is intended to get your life back on track once again through the benefits of chiropractic care.

Stopping the Domino Effect With DCW

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There is a major commonality between the people who attend a sporting event, concert or even a race. The energy one’s feels is almost palpable. If it’s a highly contested game, the last few minutes are deafening from all the cheering. It seems like everyone in the stadium is caught up in the quest for victory. Or at a concert, the final act can bring every person to their feet, singing the song in unison with the artist. At a race like the Flying Pig Marathon, all the runners in the ques are eagerly awaiting the starting gun. The common excitement on each face is obvious.

In all three situations, there is a common feeling. This shared interest has momentum and creates a sense of belonging. Sometimes life throws us a curve ball that derails us from living fully. It could be chronic pain from a past injury, extra weight hindering our mobility, or type 2 diabetes causing lifestyle changes. At this point in our life, we have two choices. The first is to do nothing, accept the situation as it is and let the chips fall where they may. It certainly is the easier of the two because it requires zero effort on our part. However, there are consequences with any choice and this choice is no different.

Choosing to do nothing creates a domino effect. If we are suffering from chronic pain and choose to do nothing about it, we may put on even more weight because we are more sedentary. More weight only exasperates the problem causing quality of life issues. And so the dominoes continue to fall.

The other option is choosing to act, choosing to change the situation. In other words, never letting the dominoes fall in the first place. If we are overweight or obese, we choose to seek help. We choose to surround ourselves with other like-minded people who share the same goals. This shared interest gives us momentum and support, much like we find at a concert, game, or race. At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), this is exactly what you will find.

Wellness is a state of mind, but also a personal journey. The team at DCW will walk beside you every step of the way. We have helped countless individuals just like you. Dominoes don’t need to fall. You have the power to prevent that from ever happening. Come and experience the DCW difference. This is a choice you won’t regret.

Improving Senior Health Through Exercise

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Trends in obesity rates, especially in older adults, suggest a misconception that it’s too late to get healthy. In fact, more than a third of Americans over 65 are obese. There exists a falsehood that it is normal to lose good health as one ages. Perhaps it is due to the fear of falling or other injury, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle. Aches and pains associated with aging, also contribute to a decrease in activity. Unfortunately, this mindset only exasperates the increase in obesity. The truth is senior do benefit from exercise, no matter what their age.

New research is suggesting that overweight and obese senior citizens who want to lose weight should pursue aerobic exercise, strength training, and a healthy diet. A study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine involved older, obese older adults who scored in the “frail” range on a standard test. This group of 141 individuals were broken into three groups. One group did only aerobic exercise such as walking on a treadmill. Another focused on strength training, and the other on doing both. Lastly, there was also a control group that only attended nutrition classes, but did not diet or exercise.

The study ran for six months, with each non-control group exercising three times per week. At the conclusion of the study, all non-control groups lost weight. In fact, the average weight loss was 19 pounds. The most significant finding, however, was the improvement in frailty scores. Follow up testing involved mobility tasks such as walking up stairs, standing up, and picking up a coin. All three non-control groups improved their scores. The most improved was the combination group of aerobic exercise and strength training at 21%. The other two non-control groups averaged a 14% improvement.

So, what’s the lesson learned here? That it is never too late to get healthy. Older individuals can do more to help themselves live independently as they age. Plus, do it safely, without risk of injury. Age does not matter when it comes to living a healthy life.

Feet and Back Pain

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an internationally known tourist attraction that draws millions of visitors each year. Located in Pisa, Italy, this bell tower built during medieval times began tilting to one side once construction got to the 2nd floor. Upon completion, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was leaning 15 feet because its foundation was too soft. As a result, during the almost 200 years it took to built (war caused 100 year gap in construction), the builders tried desperately to offset the leaning, even until present day.

The foundation of anything has a profound effect on the rest of the structure. While many things can be done to remedy the leaning, if the foundation is not addressed, ultimately the problem will still exist. There are many parallels between this tower and the human body.

Feet are the foundation to the human body. At birth, most people have perfect feet. By the age of 20, 80% of those have developed a problem. By the time a person is 40, most have some sort of foot condition. If our feet are our foundation, most of us are just like the Tower of Pisa. However, unlike the tower, we don’t tilt or lean. Instead, our hips, back, shoulders, and neck compensate for our problem foundation. Think of a zigzag line. The line begins at our feet. To offset the instability of the feet, the hips lean to one side. The back then offsets that by leaning to the other side. See the zigzag effect? This situation is what contributes to what is commonly called back pain.

Orthotic support plays a significant role in providing an effective treatment when this condition presents itself. A chiropractor can correct the misalignment of the spine, hips, and neck with adjustments, plus provide heel lifts, as well. With an improved foundation, the rest of the body must relearn its proper position. Effective chiropractic treatment will work to correct the problem and eliminate the back pain. Our feet give us our mobility. We needn’t sacrifice that as we age. Rather, we should do what we can to protect it.

Rehabilitation With Chiropractic Care

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Rehabilitation is an often overlooked piece of the wellness puzzle. We can be so focused on alleviating our pain today that a long-term solution is not considered. A proactive chiropractor will incorporate this key piece into their treatment. It will ensure that the source of the pain is not only alleviated, but corrected as well. The body must relearn its proper function. Otherwise it will go back to how it was before and the pain will return.

Pain is a powerful motivator. However, it typically needs to reach a certain point for us to actually do anything about it. Thresholds of pain vary from person to person. People can live with chronic pain and rationalize it away. But why should anyone get use to anything, especially pain?

Resolving pain is a journey for many individuals. It can start with taking over the counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen. But that only masks the symptoms. It does nothing to correct the source of the problem. Again, pain is a powerful motivator because once it’s gone life resumes. But over time, simple over-the-counter medications no longer work. Pain then motivates a person to see their primary care provider. Prescriptions are written for pain. Symptoms have yet again been addressed, but the cause still exists. By the time a person walks through the doors of Damron Chiropractic & Wellness, they have seen countless doctors and the pain is still there.

Chiropractic care is individualized. This means that treatment addresses the unique problems a person is experiencing. It is not a “one size fits all” solution. Chiropractors are beginning to realize that some patients require a retraining. A retraining of certain muscles to prevent the body from returning to the position it was in when they first arrived at the office. Enter rehabilitative care.

Rehabilitation is an effective means to improve strength and mobility. This approach allows the patient to rebound faster. It also has lasting effects, too. Pain does not return as it had before with other remedies. Muscles are no longer able to pull the bones back to their old position. A position that caused the pain. Rehab allows muscles to do the job they were originally designed to do.

If pain is your constant companion, consider seeing a chiropractor that has a multi-disciplinary practice. One that utilizes rehabilitation to give you the relief you have been searching for. Don’t let it be your last option on your journey to become pain-free. Appreciate the intricate nature of your body. Understand the effects daily wear and tear can have. It took years of living to get to where you are today. Results are not instant. But results will be worth it if you are patient and give your body time to change.

Gout and Chiropractic Care

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When cells die, which happens at a rate of millions per second, they release substances called purines. Purines are broken down into uric acid which is then removed by the kidneys. Sometimes there is more uric acid than the kidneys can eliminate. When this happens, the uric acid content in the body steadily increases. This condition, called hyperuricemia, can lead to the development of crystals in the joints and tissues. It is these crystals that cause the pain and inflammation associated with gout.

It is common for the pain to register at a 9 or 10 by those who suffer from this condition.  This pain can last for several days, too. In addition to pain, other symptoms of gout include:

  • stiffness
  • swelling
  • redness
  • tenderness

The occurrence of gout has been documented for over 4,000 years. It was once considered a king’s disease due to the foods that triggers its onset, which are all high in purine as well:

  • alcohol
  • red meat
  • shellfish
  • organ meats

Gout is a form of arthritis that typically manifests itself in the joint of the big toe. Other areas include the joints of the knees, feet, and ankles. The first common sign is pain and swelling of the big toe, with men over the age of 45 more likely to suffer from this condition. However, other health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or kidney disease are present first. But gout does not discriminate. Both young and old, male and female can develop it.

Chiropractic care is an often overlooked treatment option for gout sufferers to alleviate pain with adjustments, therapeutic medical massage, and dietary supplements. Unfortunately, many of the medications prescribed to treat this condition come with serious side effects. These include stomach pain, headache, nausea, diarrhea, rash, elevated blood pressure, and decreased kidney function.

A chiropractor can help a gout sufferer manage their symptoms holistically and without side-effects. Including help with diet and exercise. The ultimate goal is improving quality of life, minimizing or eliminating pain, and improving mobility.

Is Weight Holding You Back?

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Quality of life not only affects the individual but also those around them as well. Take the reality show My 600-lb. Life. While the show centers around the person with the weight problem, the family is also involved. Children, spouses, significant others, parents. The problem affects them, too, because the family unit is tied to the care of the obese loved one. While this is an extreme example, it reveals the ripple effect of a chronic condition on the person themselves  to those who surround them.

This is a different perspective on resolutions as we approach the new year. Typically we hear others say they want to lose weight or get in shape or take better care of themselves. Reality tells us that most resolutions fail. But maybe they wouldn’t if we upped the ante. If our success or failure at living better only seems to affect ourselves, then win or lose, we only have ourselves to blame. However, if our success or failure affects our children, spouse, or family, then that’s a different story altogether, isn’t it? We hurt others by failing to live a healthier life. It could be the extra weight that prevents us from being active or chronic pain that limits our mobility. Living on the sidelines as our family plays in the game of life. Don’t we owe it to them to be the best version of ourselves?

Whether it’s extra weight, pain, weakness, or an old injury that is holding us back, chiropractic care can help. There is a root cause to your problem. Drop the excuses, look around you and ask yourself these questions:

  • “How is my quality of life affecting those around me?”
  • “Have I really tried everything in my power to improve my situation?”
  • “What am I afraid of?”
  • “Am I really living my best life?”

Honest answers is the goal, because anything less is a disservice to you and those who love you. Resolve to change your situation in the new year rather than make excuses. You can enjoy the quality of life you deserve by making that resolution.

Why We Need Mobility and Stability as We Age

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In our youth we take many things for granted – our health, time, money, high metabolism, and there will be food on the table when we get home. We have a sense of immortality, that nothing bad will happen to us. It is the gift of our youth, ignorance. You can tell by how kid behave on the playground this sense of innocence. Climbing, running, swinging, it seems they are showcasing the benefits of their youth. Compare this to those who are living in a nursing home. The sharp contrast in both the mobility and stability between the two groups is obvious.

Mobility implies freedom. The freedom to move from one place to another. The ideal is the ability to move easily and without pain. Stability, on the other hand, implies strength and steadiness. Children manifest both. The older we get, the more we need to work to keep both. However, the reality is that we don’t appreciate what we have until it is gone. According to the most recent statistics published by the CDC, over a third of U.S. adults are obese (11/2015). But it doesn’t stop there. In addition to the extra weight, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers are also connected to obesity. So, what happened? In one word, life happened.

Mobility and stability are not only for the young. Granted, it is easier for our youth to be like that because not enough life has happened yet. However, as we age, keeping our mobility and stability is essential to living well and here’s why. Mobility is freedom. Being mobile allows us to remain active which helps keep us fit. Stability helps to prevent falls. Falls, especially in older people, contribute to broken bones and other injuries. These consequences of falls can affect our mobility which in turn can affect our weight and create further health issues.

At DCW, we help our patients with both mobility and stability through our Rehabilitation Department. We make it a priority to individualize treatment plans to ensure each patient can improve their ability to move without pain. We also incorporate balance exercises to strengthen stability. While we cannot be young again, it doesn’t mean we can’t reverse the effects of time on our body and regain our movement.

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