rehabilitation Archives - Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

Plantar Fasciitis

September 7, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Plantar fasciits is pain that occurs in the heel of a foot. The pain is due to the ligament connecting the toes to the heel bone becoming strained. This important ligament is responsible for supporting the arch in a foot. Ongoing ligament strain causes tiny tears which means the pain continues. These tears create inflammation, swelling, and weakness. There are several factor that contribute to this condition:

being overweight
standing for long periods of time on your feet
high arches or flat feet
ill fitting shoes
tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles

Plantar fasciitis is more common in middle aged individuals, athletes, and soldiers. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you. If you are experiencing heel pain with the first steps of your day, or heel pain that increases throughout the day, or even pain in your heels as you walk up or down stairs, you could have this condition. A chiropractor can provide an accurate diagnosis and successful treatment.

Vanessa M. came to DCW because she was experiencing painful episodes of plantar fasciitis. She had seen other chiropractors but found no relief. A friend referred her to Damron Chiropractic & Wellness and to her this was her last stop. Read Vanessa’s story below:

“I was plagued with Plantar fasciitis that began in November 2015. It was very painful and difficult to live with as I am a very active person. I work out daily and love to run in all kinds of races and events. Plantar fasciitis stopped me in my tracks. Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) was my 4th (and final!!) doctor I visited to treat it. Before coming to DCW, I hit my lowest point when I couldn’t put weight on my feet after walking in a charity race, the pain was that bad. I was going to doctors, but not getting any results.

When I walked into DCW, I could tell it was different. The atmosphere was very open and everyone was so nice. Instead of focusing on just my feet, Dr. Washam actually focused on my hips and diagnosed an imbalance that was causing the plantar fasciitis, which had taken years to get to the point of pain. Dr. Washam went over exactly what he believed was causing the pain and put together a plan to get me pain-free.

I started 3 months of rehabilitation therapy with Jaimie – she showed me strength moves and focused stretching techniques to work into my daily routine. I also had medical massages with Andy, and weekly adjustments with Dr. Washam or Dr. Damron – all of this really helped me get to a great place with my feet. Slowly, but steadily, the pain was less and less. And today, I am thrilled to say that my plantar fasciitis is now PAIN-FREE!!

I actually ran 2 miles this weekend which felt so good because I hadn’t run in over a year due to my pain!”

Choosing a Chiropractor

July 25, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Educating ourselves helps us to make better decisions. For example, the first time we buy a car or a home, we look for as much information as possible. This knowledge minimizes our risk of making a bad decision. One that can save us money, reduce stress, and manage our expectations. The same can be said when considering to see a chiropractor. For many of us, this is something we have never done before. However, if we approach it the same way we did with our first car or home purchase, we will make the right decision in choosing a chiropractor to invest our wellness care in.

One of the first questions a person begins with is, “What should I look for when choosing a chiropractor?” Here are a few things to consider as you research:

Does the doctor offer a multi-functional approach? In other words, is there more than chiropractic offered at the office? For the best outcomes, look for a practice that also offers massage and rehabilitation. Why? Because pain usually involves not only the skeleton, but the muscles as well. The muscles are holding the skeleton in place, even in a painful place. You cannot only fix one without addressing the other, or no progress can be made. Likewise, with rehabilitation. The muscles need to be retrained on what their “normal” position should be.
Does the practice offer testimonials on both their website and Facebook? This will tell you a lot more about the quality of care the doctor provides.
Are the hours convenient? Evening and weekend hours are always a bonus!
If there is a New Patient Special, does it sound too good to be true or reasonable?
How important is education? A good doctor will be focused on educating the patient on how to stay healthy and well.
What about the website? Is it relevant and up to date?
What is his or her wellness philosophy? Is it a care plan designed to get you back on your feet again in a set amount of time or indefinite weekly visits? There should always be a goal where progress is checked.

In the end, you will do yourself a huge favor by learning as much as you can before choosing a chiropractor. It may also be one of the best decisions you ever made, too.

Make Your Training Personal

June 2, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Walk into any local gym or fitness center and chances are you will soon encounter a personal trainer. Couple that with all the equipment, free weights, and class offerings and it’s no wonder that some people steer clear of these places. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing, plus uncomfortable if your goal is to lose weight. Not because you want to lose weight, but because you might see people there who don’t need to lose weight. There’s nothing worse than comparing ourselves to others, especially in a public setting.

People may mistake personal trainers as those who just help us use the exercise equipment. And while that may be a part of what they do, it certainly is not all. Training, whether it’s to lose weight, build strength, or trim inches, requires specific strategies to make it personal to you. Adding to that any physical limitations a person might have due to a past injury or surgery, plus their current physical condition makes working out even more personal. The good news is that the ideal personal trainer will develop a program that is unique to the person. Utilizing benchmarks to note progress. A personal trainer will always be ready to make changes, too, always keeping in mind the individual’s goals.

If the idea of joining a gym intimidates you, that’s okay. It’s also normal. But, that should not be a reason to stop you from getting healthy again. Perhaps you don’t know where to start. Maybe you have concerns, questions, or fears. That’s okay, there is a place you can go to get you on the right path, in a setting that is more private. One of the unique benefits at Damron Chiropractic & Wellness is our Rehabilitation Department. Many chiropractic offices do not offer this valuable service to their patients.

Working with our Rehabilitation Specialist is like the training wheels you had on your bike. Support until you no longer need it with training that is personal to you. No matter what your goals are: to lose weight, gain strength, increase mobility, or lessen pain. By addressing what is holding you back, our Rehab Specialist will help you reach your specific health goals. You will also know when it’s time to graduate, when it is time to join that gym. When that time comes you will no longer need those training wheels.

Can Chiropractors Treat Depression?

May 17, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Mental illness is a phrase that relates to any number of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behavior. These conditions can range from depression and anxiety to obsessive compulsiveness and autism. Today, what is most alarming, is the significant increase in people suffering from mental illness, specifically depression and anxiety. Yet, the most troubling is the increase among our youth. A recent article in Dynamic Chiropractic (May 2017) titled “Is It Time to Rethink Mental Illness? (Pt.1)” challenged society’s current approach to treating this trend.

Current remedies involve a doctor’s prescription intended to correct the chemical imbalance associated with a particular mental illness. The author of this article, Dr. Timothy Perenich, cited research that revealed this treatment to be ineffective. In other words, this research questions the chemical imbalance theory most doctors rely on. However, if this theory was true, “the drugs given to correct the imbalance should demonstrate clear efficacy.” (p.28) The author continued by stating, “In fact, evidence shows not only are these drugs largely ineffective, but they’re also dangerous.”

Unlike other diseases such as cancer and diabetes, many mental illnesses have no clear causes. Furthermore, they cannot be identified by common tests like an MRI or blood test. A diagnosis is actually an opinion. Dr. Perenich highlighted a direct correlation between the increase in diagnosed mental illnesses and the drugs available to treat them. The question we need to ask ourselves is who benefits? It definitely is not the patient looking for help.

Dr. Perenich is a Doctor of Chiropractic. His article challenges us to think about mental illness differently. That, perhaps, more can be done to treat a person suffering from depression or anxiety rather than with drugs. This is especially true with our youth. The side effects alone are enough to encourage a parent to look elsewhere for help. Some drugs can double the risk of suicide. Even the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded in 2010 that the most commonly prescribes drugs are not an effective treatment for depression.

So, what does this doctor suggest? Looking at the patient as a whole, in addition to taking all factors into consideration to find the hidden source of the depression symptom. Recent studies are showing that inflammation is linked to depression. This is associated with autoimmune diseases such as lupus and celiac. The field of chiropractic relies on a holistic approach. Looking at ALL factors that may contribute to a symptom like depression. Chiropractic care does not utilize any prescription medications to remedy a condition. Rather, a chiropractor relies on natural healing through herbs and nutrients, spinal adjustments, rehabilitation, and medical massage.

The current approach our society is taking is not working. Seems like looking through a different lens may be all it takes to find a solution.

Rehabilitation With Chiropractic Care

May 4, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

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.

Avoid the “Perfect Storm” of Disease-Care

January 5, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

In 2000, George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg starred in the movie “The Perfect Storm”. It is based on the true story of a commercial fishing vessel lost at sea during a storm. This storm was exceedingly rare due to the combination of adverse weather factors. In the chiropractic world, we see a lot of people who got caught in a perfect storm. Negative and unpredictable factors affect their lives in such a way that their quality of life is significantly diminished. Factors such as:

a sedentary lifestyle
car accident
work related injury
smoking
poor diet
diabetes
obesity
chronic pain

Some factors can be self-made, others can be simply bad luck or hereditary. Either way, these factors can create a perfect storm that equates to illness. At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness our goal is wellness for life. We take a person’s perfect storm and work with them utilizing chiropractic, rehabilitation, massage and nutrition.

We hear a lot about disease care with people suffering from chronic conditions. Rarely is there any press on wellness. Wellness means that a person is feeling good and looking good. In our world, being well means the perfect storm is over and that person can get back to doing what they love with a higher quality of life.

Life can give us lemons, and lots of them. But we do have a choice. We can choose to settle for what life hands us or decide to seek help. This does not mean using a band-aid approach either, as tempting as that might be. Rather, it means finding a resolution once and for all by ignoring disease-care. Disease-care actually cares for the disease and not finding out what is causing it in the first place. The presenting symptoms may appear to be coming from the leg, but it is really nerve interference in the spine. Treating the leg pain with disease-care does not address the nerve interference in the spine. Consequently, the leg pain will return. That is not wellness.

If you suspect a perfect storm in your life there is a solution. Life happens, but wellness does not, unless you decide to seek it out.

Why Student Athletes Need Rehabilitation

December 15, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Over a million high school students play a sport, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations (August 2016). The highest percentage play football, followed by track and field, basketball and soccer. Farther down the list is volleyball, baseball, cross country, softball, tennis, plus swimming and diving. This is great news in light of the current health crisis in the rise of obesity. However, this is also a warning. Injuries within the student athlete group cannot be overlooked nor minimized.

Unfortunately, in many situations they are, due to various reasons:

a state title is on the line,
the fear of losing a college scholarship,
missing out of the competition and fun,
or the pain isn’t “that bad.”

There are long term ramifications for this mindset. Therefore, advocate for your student athlete by closely monitoring their sport participation and actively look for potential problems.

The goal is to prevent serious injury, in addition to keeping the body working at it’s peak performance. Also, not creating a ripple effect of other injuries, too. This approach allows the student athlete to enjoy life, long after their sport years are over. Pain-free.

Football is a dangerous sport, even with all the protective gear. The older the player, the harder the hits. Sustaining even a mild injury creates future problems if not addressed immediately. However, all too often, the player jumps right back into the game, never giving the injury time to heal. With the body already compromised, the additional micro-traumas add up faster.

In these situations, rehabilitation is essential. With a shoulder injury, the student athlete might notice a popping sound while lifting weights as he conditions. This popping sound is due to weakened muscles and tendons that can no longer hold the shoulder in place. With proper rehabilitation, those muscles and tendons can be strengthened to hold the shoulder in the socket and eliminate the popping.

The best approach is to align your student athlete with a professional that specializes in rehabilitation. Most of all, be proactive in an investment in your child’s future.

Addressing Pain Once and for All

October 20, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), people come to us who have been told by other health care practitioners that they were unable to help them. Usually the reason was because they could not determine the source of their problem. The person is typically referred to other specialists, only to be given the same information. How frustrating and expensive this situation can be. Fortunately, collaborative care through chiropractic, therapeutic massage, rehabilitation, and nutrition provides the solution that person has been searching for all along.

Imagine being given a band-aid to stop the bleeding of a deep cut that really needs stitches. Is that the best solution? Would that effectively stop the blood flow? Yet, many of us accept that reality when we take pain medications if there is no long-term solution. While the pain may subside, the problem still persists. When does the cycle end?

Solutions. People like them. We also like to live without pain. So, how can one get an effective solution to their pain, without the band-aid approach of pain medications? The answer is chiropractic care. The approach and results are unique to this field of health care.

Chiropractic is a holistic approach, meaning the entire body and it’s systems are considered in a diagnosis rather than only one or two. For example, a patient with bladder pain is typically treated for their bladder pain. But what if the problem persists, even after treatment. The patient could be referred to urology. But what if nothing is found and the problem still persists? Perhaps this scenario sounds familiar to you, however with another type of pain like the head, back, leg, or neck. How was that pain resolved? Is there still pain?

Time and again we see patients that have found no solutions from other doctors. As almost a last resort they decide to see a chiropractor. The results are profound. It’s time to change the perception of chiropractic care for the 80% of the population that has never seen a chiropractor. Rather than trying to convince you of the benefits, we encourage you to check out our Google and Facebook reviews to learn more.

Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome?

October 14, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

You know there’s a problem when a new syndrome is created because of the society you live in. In other words, a particular lifestyle makes a person more prone to developing a life threatening disease. One such syndrome with this association is metabolic syndrome which is found right here in the U.S.

Living in the Western world offers tremendous advantages from individual freedoms in speech, religion, and race, to opportunities in education, work, and healthcare. However, with these freedoms also comes choices in how we live our life. Modern day conveniences offer countless benefits in terms of time, effort, and cost, but the trade-off can be at the expense of our health. So, what exactly is metabolic syndrome?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines metabolic syndrome as, “a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.” These risk factors can be traits, conditions or habits that increase your chance for developing these diseases. The Western diet and a sedentary lifestyle play a significant role in the development of metabolic syndrome, which requires three risk factors to be diagnosed with it. These risk factors include:

Excess fat in the stomach area.
High levels of triglycerides which is essentially fat in your blood.
Low levels of the good cholesterol (HDL).
High blood pressure.
High blood sugar, especially while fasting.

The good news is that metabolic syndrome is preventable with a commitment to a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Working with a team of healthcare professionals can help treat this condition effectively, too. Treatment begins with education to fully understand the implications of this disease, then a structured plan to achieve weight loss through diet and exercise. Many times the assistance of a rehabilitation specialist is needed as well. Other steps include re-balancing the gut bacteria by eating probiotics and supplementation.

Treating Pain and Inflammation

October 11, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Treating pain and inflammation in the U.S. focuses less on the underlying cause and more on the symptoms of pain, especially when it is chronic. It is a temporary solution that only masks the real problem. While the patient may experience pain relief, it is only a band-aid approach that is accompanied by health risks. Risks from the medicine prescribed to the body’s response to the pain.

Chronic pain typically goes hand-in-hand with inflammation, which is how the body protects itself from injury. The role of the inflammation response is to:

remove harmful stimuli such as damaged cells, irritants or pathogens.
begin the healing process.
restore the body to normal function.

A prolonged state of inflammation increases the risk of other diseases especially as we age. Poor lifestyle choices and a sedentary lifestyle are sources of inflammation which has a detrimental effect body’s ability to effectively process it. This gradual decline over the years opens the door to conditions such as arthritis, chronic fatigue, sciatica, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Somehow we expect our body to withstand constant stress, day after day, year after year and remain unaffected by it.

Western medicine typically treats chronic pain with anti-inflammatory medicines. These medications are associated with long-term health problems, in addition to addiction. A better solution that avoids these pitfalls is chiropractic care. Why? Because pain is resolved through a combination of spinal adjustments, massage, proper nutrition, and rehabilitation. Identifying the cause of the pain allows for effective treatment of it.

Today, more and more people are choosing to see a chiropractor when experiencing chronic pain. And finally reclaiming their lives in the process.

Plantar Fasciitis

Choosing a Chiropractor

Make Your Training Personal

Can Chiropractors Treat Depression?

Rehabilitation With Chiropractic Care

Avoid the “Perfect Storm” of Disease-Care

Why Student Athletes Need Rehabilitation

Addressing Pain Once and for All

Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome?

Treating Pain and Inflammation

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