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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.

Yes, You Can Lose Weight!

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There are many weight loss shows on television today. It seems to be the latest trend in reality tv, watching others lose weight. Many of the participants are not just overweight, but obese, with highlight the big reveal at the end. A life has been transformed and their face is simply beaming with joy. One show in particular allows the participant to “gift” the same program they just completed to someone else. Someone who needs a transformation as well. While watching a recent episode of this show, I witnessed this “gifting.” The woman who transformed her life with weight loss, gave her best friend the opportunity to do the same. She wanted her best friend to feel as good as she does. What a priceless gift!

The sense of accomplishment among people who lose a tremendous amount of weight is astounding. How could it not be considering how much time and effort it took? It wasn’t a quick fix. There wasn’t a magic pill or product that made it happen. It all boiled down to one thing, and one thing only. The person. Simply wanting something doesn’t make it a reality. A student can say they want straight A’s, but put zero work into making it happen. This lack of hard work can have a domino effect if it continues. For example, consistent poor grades will not get you into the better colleges, not to mention a better job, too.

It’s like that old saying, “you reap what you sow.”

Losing weight can be looked at in the same way as poor grades. Simply wanting to lose weight doesn’t make it happen. Consistently doing nothing about being overweight or obese has a domino effect, too, on your health, your lifestyle, and your sense of self.  We cannot expect to lose weight if we continue to plant poorly with bad food choices and a sedentary lifestyle.

Belly Fat: The Silent Killer

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Remember the movie WALL-E (Disney, 2008)? A waste collecting robot, named WALL-E, is left on Earth after all humans have left. His only purpose for the past 700 years is to clean up the massive amounts of trash on the planet. Yet, despite the debris, he finds a living plant within the rubble. WALL-E then leaves Earth to save his love interest, EVE, and is brought to a space cruise ship where the humans live. Everyone on board is so fat that the only thing they do is recline in hovering chairs, watch t.v., video chat, and drink their meals through a straw. There is much more to the story, but the parallels to our present day society is somewhat disturbing.

Recent statistics suggest that more than two-thirds of Americans are either over-weight or obese. 92% of the world’s population living in areas with polluted air (World Health Organization, 2016). Over 5 trillion pieces of plastic are floating in our oceans (Science, 2/2015) and our landfills are overflowing. Perhaps a scenario similar to WALL-E isn’t too far fetched? However, unlike the movie, there are huge health concerns associated with this weight epidemic:

  • type 2 diabetes
  • coronary heart disease
  • hypertension
  • cancer
  • asthma
  • sleep apnea
  • non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • osteoarthritis
  • infertility
  • metabolic syndrome

Most people don’t realize that not all fat is created equal. In fact, the most deadly is the fat around our waistline, also called visceral fat or belly fat. Research has shown that belly fat is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. This inflammation is a known precursor to the health conditions listed above.

To avoid this health risk, the following recommendations have been established by the National Institutes of Health:

  • Males should have a waistline less than 40 inches, when measuring from the tops of both hip bones.
  • Females should have a waistline less than 35 inches when measuring the same.

Wellness is definitely a journey, with many obstacles on our path. Using this guideline to navigate your journey is a great place to begin. You can easily take steps today that will help you avoid conditions that are preventable. Don’t let belly fat dictate where your journey takes you.

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.

Has Obesity Made You a Spectator In Life?

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No matter what the season, there is always plenty of sports to watch from the professionals to little league. We love being spectators, too. Unless, of course, our team loses. As a result, we somehow believe that as a spectator we can change the outcome of a game. Cheering intensifies in a close game, rally hats come on when our team is down, and booing erupts in an attempt to change a bad call. Even fights erupt between rival fans over something they are powerless to change.

Ironically, there is a parallel between this spectator phenomenon and our approach to health and wellness. The evidence rests in the most recent health statistics from the American Public Health Association:

  • 29.6% of the population is obese
  • 10% of the population has diabetes
  • there has been a 4% increase in drug deaths

Almost a third of the U.S. population seems to be sitting on the sidelines with obesity as a spectator. This passive approach to life has a domino affect on our life as obesity leads to other health conditions such as heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers, and osteoarthritis. However, many cases of obesity are preventable and treatable.

Sitting on the sidelines is like sitting in the passenger seat of a car, because we are simply along for the ride with no control over which direction the car goes, how fast or slow, or its destination. Why would we consciously choose to be a passenger, especially in life? Taking ownership of ourselves means we want a say, that we care about the journey. Having an active role in the game of life elevates our quality of life because we are living on our terms, not limited by external forces. Ironically, these outside forces are something we subject ourselves to voluntarily by:

  • Eating fast food.
  • Living a sedentary lifestyle.
  • Relying on medications to relieve symptoms.
  • Consuming too many highly processed foods.
  • Limiting fresh fruit and vegetables in our diet.
  • Making countless excuses to not exercise regularly.
  • Not holding ourselves accountable to a healthy weight.

If you are one of the almost 30% who are sitting on the sidelines acting like a spectator to your own life, perhaps it’s time to change that. The first step is deciding to join the game. Commit to yourself.

The Reality of Healthy Aging

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If you had the opportunity to jump into a time machine and see your future self, would you take it? Would seeing your future self change anything about how you live your life? Would you be afraid of what the future holds? Unfortunately, people tend to gamble with their health and wellness starting when they are young, doing things like:

  • eating a lot of processed foods
  • binge eating
  • binge drinking
  • not exercising
  • smoking
  • not getting enough sleep
  • consuming too much fast food
  • looking at electronic devices much of the day

In our youth, our body can handle this wear and tear, then rebound quickly. As we age, the speed at which we rebound becomes much slower. Our body’s ability to recover from unhealthy habits becomes ineffective over time. Yet, if we look around us, how many people do you see that are out of shape, overweight, or obese? This didn’t happen overnight.

Aging does not mean we cannot enjoy life the way we did when we were younger. We can successfully age with awareness and accountability. Awareness means:

  • monitoring our daily activities.
  • making better food choices.
  • getting plenty of sleep each night.
  • drinking more water each day.
  • making exercise a priority.

In terms of accountability we can:

  • align ourselves with others who have similar goals.
  • seek out wellness professionals such as a chiropractor and massage therapist.
  • sticking with the perimeter at the grocery store, where most of the whole foods are located.
  • commit to ourselves with a written contract to live our best life now.

While we cannot prevent ourselves from aging, we certainly can help ourselves age better. Looking better, feeling better, sleeping better, and moving better will happen with awareness and accountability. We really don’t need a time machine to show us what a life of poor decisions can do to our body. We can simply look around us.

 

Looking Good vs Feeling Good

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Skinny jeans. SkinnyMom.com. Skinny Pop Popcorn. Skinnygirl Cocktails. Even skinny love. All this focus on skinny. What does skinny really mean? Does skinny equate to looking good and feeling good? While this may be something we say we want, to be skinny, but do we really know what we are wanting?

According to the dictionary, the definition of skinny is “very thin.” Synonyms for skinny include scrawny, emaciated, undernourished, and bony. Granted, there are some people who are simply born that way, who remain thin no matter what they eat. However, for the vast majority of us, our metabolism is not equipped that way. Calories in must be less or equal to the calories out, or the weight gets added to our frame. But let’s say that we lose weight and become skinny. Does looking good and feeling good go hand in hand?

There is a fine line between being too thin and being at a healthy weight for our height, age, and whether we are male or female. There is also a price to be paid if we cross that line into the unhealthy waters of skinny. Being healthy is really how you feel, not about the number on the scale. How you actually feel on a daily basis is a good indicator as to your overall health. But there is another way to look at it, too. You can be thin, but also extremely unhealthy. Your body may not have the nutrients nor body mass it needs to thrive. Likewise, being overweight is unhealthy, as well. The extra weight puts additional stress on the body. It can affect your sleep, your metabolism, plus create aches and pains. But if a majority of our population is overweight or obese, why are we letting ourselves stay this way? Is it because we are so use to feeling bad, we don’t know what good feels like anymore?

So, what does feeling good feel like? Perhaps letting go of the crutches we are using to get through each day would help us to see how we are really feeling? Letting go of the caffeine, alcohol, pain medications, sleep aids, elastic waistbands, and anti-depressants. How would we really feel if we stopped using these things to help us feel good? What if you knew that you could feel good again without the crutches? What if you knew that it was possible to feel good again, but it would take time? Would you be willing to let go of your crutches and find out?

A life of health and wellness requires work, just like anything worth having does. Feeling good is priceless, especially after spending years not experiencing it.

What are you waiting for?

Change

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There are many lessons in life to learn. Some we learn very early in life. How many times did we need to touch a hot surface to know not to touch it again? Chances are just once. Some lessons in life that take a bit longer to learn. The reasons could range from sheer stubbornness, ignorance, luck, or disinterest. Still, there comes a time when we realize that learning the lesson is inevitable. When we are ready and willing to learn and grow from our mistakes. And while the message may not be new to us, we finally actually hear it. It somehow resonates deep within us. It compels us to change.

Finally hearing what has been told to us countless times really comes down to the messenger and where we are at with our life. Why do we shut down as adolescents when our parents dispense advice but then absorb every word when a good friend says the same thing? Our parents may have more wisdom, but we hear what our friend says.

Most, if not all, of us have learned what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, even it we are not living it right now. We may have seen countless advertisements, commercials, books, videos, articles, all with the same core message. If a majority of our society is overweight or obese then we have to wonder who’s hearing the message. However, there usually comes a tipping point in everyone’s life where they do finally hear the message regarding living a better life. Perhaps it was a success story from someone we know or a personal connection we made with a new acquaintance. What changed? We did.

Being ready for change is a process. While we might have always known it at a certain level we just weren’t open to it. Don’t be frustrated if you’re still waiting for that tipping point, for that compelling feeling to change. If you are reading this, you are in the process of getting ready for change. Be patient with yourself. One day you will wake up and know you are ready to play an active role in your quest to live a healthier lifestyle.

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.

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