surgery Archives - Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

Knee Pain

December 22, 2016 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Knee pain. There can be many causes for it. Initially we might ignore it, that is until it starts to interfere with our daily life. When that happens our immediate reaction is thinking we need surgery. Pain equals problem, right? While the pain does indicate there is a problem, it doesn’t necessarily mean surgery. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

Recently, a patient came into the office for her periodic adjustment. Dr. Damron noticed that she was limping. When he asked her why she explained she had been experiencing knee pain. She was having trouble walking up and down stairs and the pain was even keeping her up at night. She indicated that her parents felt she had a torn meniscus and should get in to have an MRI. Dr. Damron asked if he could take a look.

His assessment revealed not a torn meniscus but rather a patella (or knee cap) was not tracking as it should. The reason had to do with her IT band (iliotibial band) which is a ligament that runs down the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shin. It appeared that it was tight and inflamed which was causing the knee to become destabilized. An unstable knee cap will cause it to pull to one side or another. A common phrase heard when this occurs is patella tracking.

Dr. Damron’s course of recommended treatment included leg exercises that focused on strengthening the knee and relaxing the IT band with a foam roller. The first night the patient was able to sleep without pain. A major milestone! The following day she was able to walk up and down stairs a bit more freely without debilitating pain. The pain was still there, but it was much more tolerable only after two exercise sessions.

In conclusion, it’s is important to drop assumptions when it comes to pain. That pain does not equate surgery. Most importantly, that chiropractors do far more than simply provide spinal adjustments. Their scope of care encompasses the entire body with a holistic approach that minimizes healthcare costs. If you have yet to see a chiropractor, perhaps it’s time to align yourself with one in the new year to give yourself exactly what your body needs.

Surgery Is the Last Option

April 19, 2016 By Pam Rezai

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.

Strength Training

February 25, 2016 By Pam Rezai

The most recent edition of the ESPN magazine had an article on Stephen Curry. Many would argue that he is the best shooter in NBA history. While that may or may not be the case, the article actually focused on how his lucrative career might not have ever happened. You see, his ankles were creating a serious problem with his ability to play ball. They were getting injured quite frequently and in ways that weren’t considered common. Despite a surgery prior to his NBA career, the ongoing issues continued to persist, that is until a new Personal Trainer entered the picture with the Golden State Warriors. His philosophy was built around the concept of strength training. If Stephen Curry was able to strengthen his core, specifically his hips, could the stress on his ankles be offset? The short answer, yes.

Fast forward to today and one may not even realize what Stephen Curry went through to get where he is now. The hours of strength training has allowed him to continue playing the sport he loves. By investing in his most treasured asset, his own body, he has been able to nearly eliminate the ankle problems he suffered from before. The game changer was the benefits of strengthening his body.

The reality is that sometimes surgery is not the solution. The human body, if given the opportunity, can elevate its performance to compensate for any weakness with strength training, or rehabilitation. You still owe it to yourself to live as fully as possible. Working with a plan to strengthen key areas of your body that are causing problems is what we do at Damron Chiropractic & Wellness. You needn’t wait until you think you might need surgery either to improve your situation. Strength training should be your first resort, not your last.

You may not be Stephen Curry, but you can benefit from strengthening just as he did. It’s never too late to start.

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.

Knee Pain

Surgery Is the Last Option

Strength Training

OUR TEAM

Dr. Andrew Damron, Chiropractor

Dr. Greg Washam, Chiropractor

Brooke Snyder, Operations Manager

Nicole Foreman, Licensed Massage Therapist

Erika Pantona, Insurance Specialist

Amy Faris, Patient Care Coordinator

Hours

Contact information