Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

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Neck Pain

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lynn-zimmer

Neck pain is not synonymous with getting older. However, many of us equate getting older with aches and pains. Below is a testimonial from one of our patients about how she thought just that. That is until she was referred to Damron Chiropractic & Wellness:

“I started at Damron on the referral of my massage therapist and, to be honest, I was not expecting a whole lot. I had lived with pain in my neck and lower back for so long I did not even realize there was something wrong. Or that it even could be fixed! Dr. Damron and crew took me in right away. They made me feel part of their family and I started getting better!

The improvements did not last long. Dr Damron explained that in order for the results to stay, I needed to strengthen my muscles so they would remain in the correct alignment. Made sense. So, I started seeing Jaimie Hensley, DCW’s Rehabilitation Coordinator, three times a week. That’s when things really started to work! The exercises Jaimie has me do, seem innocent enough, but they aren’t! They really work! And the stretching exercises she has me do simply make me feel good!! I am now about finished with my rehab program. My lower back is at about 100% and my neck is almost there. To top it off, I have more muscle tone, lost some weight and I feel so much better about myself than when I started!”

– Lynn Zimmer

The truth is that getting older can be a wonderful thing. You can be fit, feel good, and pain-free. The choice is ours as to which path we choose. We don’t need to learn to live with neck pain, back pain, or any pain for that matter.

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.

Why You Should Treat Pain Like an Injury

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Treat Pain Like You Would An Injury

Have you ever wondered why many of us do not treat our pain like we treat an injury we sustain? It’s important to understand why we should view them equally.

Remember when you were growing up and your parents would send you upstairs because they were entertaining? The expectation was that you would not interrupt the evening unless there was an actual emergency. To head downstairs because your brother or sister was hogging the television simply would not cut it. To make it crystal clear your parents would say something like, “Unless someone is bleeding or the house is on fire, do not come downstairs.” That was some serious business. There was no question as to what constituted a situation that needed immediate attention. If only the rest of life was that crystal clear.

Pain is one of those things that would be much easier to deal with if its source was obvious. Unfortunately, we usually decide to dismiss the discomfort, take medications, or simply live with it. But what if we decided to treat pain like we would an injury, such as a broken bone or other trauma? If we did that, far fewer people would willingly accept settling for a lower quality of life. The cause of symptom would be addressed correctly and the needless suffering would be over. Perhaps it’s time to change our perception of what defines an injury and how to go about true healing.

What we don’t realize is that there are solutions to resolving our pain. Solutions that many of us have never considered because of misconceptions and misinformation. One solution in particular is the care provided by a chiropractor. This specialist takes a holistic approach, where the nerves in the spine communicate with every part of the body. An interruption in any of these nerve communications creates symptoms such as pain. With chiropractic treatments such as:

  • adjustments
  • decompression
  • therapeutic massage
  • traction
  • electrical stimulation and
  • rehabilitation

the body heals and relief is found. Pain can be optional, but only if we treat it as such.

Injury Prevention in School Sports

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football

School and sports. They go hand in hand. Our kids start out young playing a sport like soccer. Head to a park on a Saturday morning in the spring or fall and you will see countless fields of kids playing soccer. School gyms are a busy place during the school year with team sports such as volleyball and basketball. Find a baseball field in the spring and early summer and chances are you can catch a game. You will also find lots of parents too lining the sideline or sitting in the bleachers, too. Adolescence means school and sports. But, it also can mean so much more.

If we make the big leap to college level sports, we know that there is a big difference in competition and intensity of play. There is also a big difference in how the players are treated too, especially the ones that have scholarships. Those athletes are given priority in terms of conditioning, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. But before they arrived at that level of play, what type of priority treatment did they receive at the high school level in terms of conditioning, rehabilitation, and injury prevention? What about at the grade school level?

As a child grows their body develops and changes. So does everyone else’s. If playing football, the tackles become harder as the opponents grow in size and weight. In basketball, the intensity of the players increases as does the contact. What is available to these athletes to help them stay healthy and injury-free throughout their season? Do they have the proper resources available to them for personalized conditioning and strength training?

Many times what is offered is not player specific, nor is it truly meant for injury prevention. Coaches and parents will want their kid back on the field or court as soon as possible. Why? To win and to increase their odds of being seen by a recruiter. Yes, kids are resilient. Yes, kids recover quickly. But at what cost?

At DCW we see student athletes. We understand the desire to get back in the game and play. But we also know that if that student athlete is not 100% they run the incredible risk of re-injury. We also know that there is player specific conditioning and rehabilitation that will help offset the risk of injury, too. So, until your kid makes it to the college level of play and receives the individualize treatment, let DCW ensure they receive it today for the sake of tomorrow.

4 Areas of Rehabilitation

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all-sports

Rehabilitation means different things to different people, but the focus is the same. If we look at the Latin roots we see that rehabilitation means “again” with the prefix re-, and “make fit” with habitare. The DCW Rehabilitation Department has four main areas of specialty:

  • Injury
  • Muscular Imbalance
  • Health Focused
  • Athlete and Sport Specific

The most recognized of the four is our Injury Rehabilitation. This therapy helps individuals who were hurt in a car accident, in the work place, or simply going about their daily activities. The goal is to “make fit” the areas of the body that have suffered from injury resulting in pain, weakness, decreased range of motion, or any other symptomatic effect to restore full functionality. Injury Rehab happens once the patient is out of acute pain and it complements the chiropractic treatments.

Similar to Injury Rehab, Muscular Imbalance Rehabilitation (MIR) is designed to alleviate pain. The difference is that the pain may not originate from a specific injury. The imbalance could be due to years of living and the body simply compensating for a deficiency in a part of the body. A great example of this type of imbalance is text neck. Text neck is caused by the imbalance the neck sustains from constantly looking down at a wireless device. The goal in this area is to rehabilitate the under- and over-active areas of the body with stretching and strengthening to alleviate chronic pain and discomfort, plus increase overall quality of life.

The last two areas of focus in our Rehabilitation Department are less well known. Some individuals are looking to improve the management of a specific health condition. These conditions can range from cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. Other conditions that would benefit from Health Focused Rehab are weight loss or stress management. Many times people need an accountability partner, plus the support of a well trained staff to get started. In addition, specific rehab exercises are modified to accommodate the needs of the patient until progress is made. This prevents unnecessary injury or harm from happening.

The other less familiar specialty is our rehab work with athletes. Playing any sport runs the risk of injury. These injuries can range from micro- to macro-. A micro-injury results from the “wear and tear” on the athletes body from playing the sport. A macro-injury, on the other hand, is due to overuse or a single impact. With this type of injury the cause is much more easily identified.  In order to get the athlete back, specific training is required. Our focus is on utilizing sport specific stretching, strengthening, conditioning, and skill development to restore and maintain their elite athletic performance. From grade school, to high school and collegiate sports, time is of the essence. However, so too is ensuring the athlete has been fully rehabbed to prevent re-injury.

No matter where you are at in life, things happen. The good news is that when things happen, DCW can help make you fit once again.

Phase 2 – Rehabilitation

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The end of pain can create a sense of disillusionment. The person who was suffering from pain now feels immense relief. This feeling of relief can lead the person to mistakenly believe that the absence of pain means the cause of the pain has been eliminated. The truth is that that person has entered the second phase of returning to wellness. Phase 2 is rehabilitation. This stage requires a conscientious effort on behalf of the patient to strengthen their body to restore proper functioning and to reduce the chance of their pain returning.

As indicated in the prior post, phase 1 involves pain relief – period. The person in pain made a decision to seek help, whether is was the result of an accident or a series of life choices that lead to the pain. Sometimes in the chiropractic field, the patient decides to discontinue care once the severity of the pain is gone. Unfortunately this only delays progress, or healing. Why? Because in time, the pain returns as nothing was done to prevent it.

In phase 2, the most important work is accomplished. It basically ensures that the treatment received in phase 1 is successful. While symptom relief is still a motivating factor in the treatment plan, other elements are introduced. Elements such as strength training, balance, and stretching. The body’s proper alignment (that is, one without pain) is enhanced by strengthening the muscles that support it. Without that, the body will eventually go back to it’s pre-treatment alignment – which caused the pain in the first place.

Understanding why and how function will be restored is a critical piece in the process. At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) we believe education is the foundation for every patient’s success with treatment because the ultimate goal is elevated wellness. What does that mean? It means raising the bar on personal wellness. It means being in a better place of wellness than where you were before.

Sacrum & Coccyx

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Sacrum is derived from the Latin word os sacrum which means “sacred bone.” The word “sacred” is significant because it is the base of support for the entire upper body. In addition to that it also provides support for the spine, holds the spinal nerves, and connects with the hip bones to form the pelvis. The sacrum is located just below the lumbar spine and begins as 5 distinct vertebrae until it solidifies into a single bone between the ages of 18 and 30. Just beneath the sacrum is the coccyx, also known as the tailbone. It is made up of between one and three bones that are fused together, bears the body’s weight while sitting, plus provides an anchor for the muscles in the pelvic region.

Everything from the hips on down are the parts of the areas of the body that are controlled by the nerves in this region of the spine. There are symptoms associated with a problem in the sacrum and coccyx from pain when sitting, to hemorrhoids and itching in the same area. The sacrum plays a vital role in several systems in the human body: skeletal, muscular, nervous and female reproduction. In the skeletal system, the it is the cornerstone for the spine and hips. It connects key muscles in the legs and hips, giving the legs movement. With respect to the nervous system the sacrum and coccyx protect the nerves that control the lower extremities. And in a woman, the sacrum helps to form the pelvic cavity which supports and protects the fetus.

Fractures can occur in the sacrum. These fractures are known as sacral insufficiency fractures. These occur when the sacral bone is no longer able to handle the weight it carries. In older women, osteoporosis is the leading cause of sacral insufficiency fractures, but other risk factors include radiation to the pelvis, steroid use, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperparathyroidism, anorexia, and hip joint replacement. Surprisingly these fractures can also occur in pregnant or breast feeding women due to a condition known as temporary osteoporosis. Symptoms of this type of fracture include pain in the lower back, hips, groin, or pelvis area. Up until the early 80’s, sacral insufficiency fractures went undiagnosed. Treatment is non-surgical and requires rehabilitation therapy, electrical stimulation, and massage.

 

The Injury Ripple Effect

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When we injure ourselves, the focus is immediately put on the area affected. We break our arm, we get a cast. We scrape our knee, we put a band-aid on. We sprain our ankle, we put a brace on. We lift something heavy the wrong way and hurt our back, we take pain medication. But a question still remains. How does that injury affect the rest of the body? The trust is that any injury has a ripple effect on the rest of the body. The injury is not contained within itself, rather it impacts other areas of the body as well because the body needs to compensate for the injured part. It’s this compensation that creates misalignment and the potential for future problems.

Rehabilitation after an injury should encompass not only the affected area, such as the knee or shoulder, but the whole body. Granted, the initial emphasis needs to be made on the knee or shoulder, but rehabilitation does not end with the injury. True rehabilitation ensures that the impact on the body from the injury has been addressed, even if it is minor. Imagine how the body will be impacted in the long run if countless injuries over the years have never been corrected? Would we be out of balance because we subconsciously shifted our weight to our left side ever so slightly? Would we be more prone to falls later in life because this occurred? Would this have been avoided had we taken proactive steps to protect our body from daily living over the years?

Consider looking at your body as an intricately connected system, like that of a clock. If even one small piece is affected, it impacts the other parts. The time is no longer accurate. Everything is off. We are that clock. One piece not working as it should does affect the whole.

 

The Truth About Chiropractic Care

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facts

There exists an old misconception about those in the chiropractic field that seems to date back to the earlier days of this profession. This misconception is very similar to other professions such as used car salesmen and lawyers. When we think of a used car salesman a particular image may come to mind, and one that is not very flattering. The same can be said of lawyers, too. Does an ambulance chaser come to mind? However, one could argue that not all used car salesmen nor all lawyers are like that. In fact, one could also argue that they know of many individuals who are reputable and professional in each field. They know lawyers who have brought justice to those who deserve it the most. They know men and women who work hard to provide a previously owned vehicle to a family at the best possible price. Does one bad apple taint the field for the rest?

In the field of chiropractic, one of the biggest misconceptions is that once you start to see a chiropractor you need to see one for the rest of your life. That treatment never ends. This must be how urban legends begin, because under layers of falsehoods there exists a kernel of truth but it has been so misconstrued that even the truth is difficult to believe. So what is the truth as it relates to achieving wellness through chiropractic care?

Typically, people visit a chiropractor when they have an injury or are in pain. At that time a particular treatment plan is prescribed. At DCW that treatment plan includes not only the specialized care of the chiropractor but also the collaborative care of both the massage therapist and rehabilitation specialist. The reason behind this approach is so the body can hold the alignment the chiropractor has performed. By massaging the muscle that is restricting the mobility of the spine and then strengthening those muscles with rehabilitation, the success of chiropractic is amplified. Once the 6 to 8 week treatment has been completed, patients are instructed to come back either once a month or only as needed. DCW patients learn how to recognize how their body feels when it is out of alignment. They are then in control of their care. They come in only when they feel it is needed, not for life.

The goal of Damron Chiropractic & Wellness is to provide the highest quality patient care so people can get back to living life on their terms, not the pain’s.

Surgery Is the Last Option

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When you have an accident or get injured, surgery should be your last option, not your first. Granted there will be times when it is apparent that surgery is required, depending on the severity of the injury. But many times we mistakenly jump to the conclusion that the body is unable to heal itself and surgery is needed. In fact, the surgical option can come with another set of potential issues and complications whether it’s a knee replacement or a herniated disc. So, if the situation permits, exploring other treatment remedies may not only heal you but also prevent a longer road to recovery.

Strengthening the affected area through a series of specific exercises can significantly reduce the chance of surgery if you are working with a credible professional that is trained to do just that. Being actively engaged in physical therapy over a set course of time, plus eating the right foods and taking the right nutritional supplements can help to heal the body, too. But what if after all the effort to correct the problem it doesn’t work? Well, then surgery can be your last option. Surgery is invasive, not a guarantee, expensive, and many times requires physical therapy afterwards. Why not try other options first?

Your body is an amazing organism made up of many complex systems. Given the chance, it has the ability to heal itself if given the right tools. Perhaps the injury occurred in the first place because we lacked balance and were weak. Perhaps we overexerted ourselves causing our body to stain. Perhaps we thought we were okay after a minor car accident only to wake up two weeks later in pain. Seeking a holistic approach to our body can provide great insight as to the true cause of our problem and eliminate countless visits to other doctors who may opt for surgery first.

Patience, along with rehabilitation, is really a virtue, especially when it comes to the well-being of our body.

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: 10-1 and 3-7

Tuesday: 10-1 and 3-6

Wednesday: 10-1 and 3-7

Thursday: 10-1 and 3-6

Friday: Closed

Saturday: By Appointment Only

CONTACT INFO

Damron Chiropractic and Wellness

Address:
    3187 Western Row Road Suite 114
    Maineville, OH 45039

Office:
     (513) 770-3434

Email:
    info@damronchiropractic.com