Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

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Looks Can Be Deceiving With Our Health

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“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Take that home project that was supposed to be simple, yet turned into your worst nightmare. It started with changing out a light fixture and then turned into so much more. A blown fuse, bad wiring, and an extra hole in the wall.

This same saying seems to be applicable to our health as well; however, with a slight twist. We make the assumption that looking and feeling good equates to good health. As a result, if there are no obvious problems, then there’s no need to fix anything. Yet, how many times do you hear about people suffering major health setbacks without having any warning signs?

This wishful mindset needs to change if we truly value a life of wellness. Because, if not, then we are constantly living on the defense, which is exhausting and puts you at a disadvantage. If you are waiting for a health problem to arise before you take action, then you are already at a disadvantage – both financially and emotionally. It’s like relying on the view from your window to predict the weather. Because you don’t see evidence of a hurricane approaching, it doesn’t mean that it’s not coming.

Good health is our most treasured asset. Consequently, protecting this asset requires a proactive approach. This approach to our health is similar to the one we take with our dentist with regularly scheduled visits to prevent cavities. Also with scheduling regular visits with a pediatrician to ensure our children are thriving. We do this to prevent or minimize a health crisis.

The questions we need to ask ourselves are:

  • Why to do we choose to avoid preventative health care when we know its benefits?
  • Why do we choose to distrust the specialization of a chiropractor if we don’t have all the facts? Shouldn’t we care enough about ourselves to learn the truth?
  • Don’t we deserve the best approach to wellness?
  • What do we have to lose by being proactive?

What Is a Real Doctor?

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If you were asked the question, “what is a real doctor?” how would you answer it? Would your answer include how they look? Where they work? Where they went to school? How they ranked in their graduating class? What their specialty is? It’s probably safe to say that our answers are based on our own experiences with doctors and what we have seen in the media. If we look beneath the surface, do we really know what makes not only a real doctor, but a good doctor?

History tells us that a doctor is about disease care. We see one when we are sick and suffering from symptoms. We also see a doctor when we discover something abnormal about our body, have suffered a broken bone, or have a chronic condition like juvenile diabetes or arthritis. Unfortunately, sometimes when we see that abnormality or have developed that chronic condition we are at a major disadvantage. It also costs us far more in the long run. So, what is the alternative? Being on the offense, or rather, practicing preventative care.

To a majority of Americans, preventative care means going to the dentist twice a year, getting a mammogram at the age of 40, or a yearly checkup at the pediatrician for our kids. But shouldn’t it go further than that? In an ideal world, wouldn’t it be better to prevent illnesses and chronic conditions, plus improve our quality of life in the process? The reality is that the ideal is possible and with a real doctor, too.

One of those real doctors that most Americans fail to consider are Doctors of Chiropractic. Yes, it’s true. Chiropractors actually specialize in preventative care. In other words, their treatment helps to keep us healthy and improve our quality of life. These specialists earn a Bachelors Degree just as physicians do, typically in biology, chemistry, physics or exercise science. Just as physicians do. Both chiropractors and physicians attend four years of graduate school with similar classes such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physiology. They both also perform clinical hours, lab hours, and are required to pass their Boards to become certified.

So perhaps it’s time to rethink what a real doctor is and which camp you have been in – disease care or preventative care.

 

Disease Care

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Think about the times when we would go to see a doctor? We are feeling sick, we’ve injured ourselves, we aren’t getting better, we are experiencing pain, we found something suspicious on our skin, the list could go on and on. Essentially, we visit a doctor to treat a problem, for disease care.

In the chiropractic field, the opposite is the case. These doctors are in the business of health care. Working to ensure that their patients stay healthy and well versus only coming in when there is a problem. This approach is proactive and requires a different perspective, similar to a healthy lifestyle. Living a healthy lifestyle means making choices every day that align themselves with that mentality. Exercising several times each week. Eating fruits and vegetables every day. Skipping the fast food and opting for cooking at home. Drinking plenty of water versus carbonated drinks. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. We have decided that maintaining good health is a priority and will take the steps necessary to ensure that it stays that way.

The best case scenario is to have a family chiropractor, just like you would have a family dentist, an optometrist, or orthodontist. A chiropractor is someone you and your family visit regularly for preventative disease care. This type of care is proactive not reactive. Think about the condition of our car if we chose to maintain it only when we had a problem. Never got the oil changed, rotated the tires or filled them with the correct amount of air. Never refilled the washer fluid or replaced the wiper blades. Never got the car washed of all the salt from winter. How good do you think our car would run over time? Would we significantly shorten its the life of the car? This is the approach of disease care. Why would we treat our bodies any differently than we do to properly maintain our car?

Remember to think about your health and wellness as something to be maintained, as a lifestyle, not something to tend to only when there is a problem. Say goodbye to disease care.

Our Body the Fortress

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Back in medieval times, the castle served many purposes. Not only did it house the royal family, but it served as a focal point for the people. Healthy aging is similar to the effort required to protect the castle and its inhabitants. And treating our body as we would a fortress helps to make better choices every day.

So what role did the castle play for the people who lived during this time period? Besides providing a sanctuary for the king and queen, nobles resided there as well. The king held court with his trusted advisors and met with dignitaries from other countries. For the common people the exchange of goods took place inside its walls, people shopped for food and supplies, there was entertainment with music and acting, plus it offered protection from invaders. The castle was surrounded by high walls and a moat. Entering the castle meant going through the open drawbridge. The castle was a fortress but also the hub of daily life.

Our body is also that hub of life. It is also a fortress that is to be protected from invasion, but the enemy is disease and chronic conditions. If a castle is not properly maintained and protected, inevitably invaders will gain entry. It may not be through the drawbridge either. Holes in the walls of the fortress allow entry as do unprotected walls and passageways. Undesirables are merely biding their time, waiting for a lax in security to make their move and enter unnoticed.

Choosing to look at our body in the same way as a fortress is enlightening. Germs, bacteria and viruses are those undesirables biding their time, looking for an opportunity to invade. It is up to us to create those barriers, plus give our body the daily maintenance it needs to stay well. It allows us to be on the offense rather than the defense. One or two preventative measures can save us the trouble of recovering from illness which affects our family, work, and social life. But there is another side to this. One that doesn’t mean picking up a bug and recovering after a few days.

Subjecting our body to a daily barrage of arsenal, from:

  • eating a poor diet
  • lack of physical activity
  • insufficient sleep
  • smoking
  • excessive alcohol consumption
  • extra body fat

Over time, this lifestyle erodes the natural protection our body has. Similar to a castle in the midst of battle. With each round of attack, the walls surrounding the castle become damaged. How long can the castle defenses withstand the impact? How long can our body withstand the impact of a damaging lifestyle? Fortunately, there are signs of deterioration, alerting us to a potential of a larger problem. It could be weight gain, chronic exhaustion, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. This is our body’s means of communicating that there is a war going on inside of us and the walls of protection are deteriorating.

Protect the only fortress you have. Take the extra steps of preventative care to ensure your quality of life, because healthy aging is not a guarantee for any of us. Chiropractic care is an effective way to remain on the offense to keep those invaders at bay. Stay vigilante and align yourself with those who will help to keep you well.

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