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A Different Perspective on Wellness

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Talking about health and wellness seems to be very much like talking about politics or religion. Everyone has an opinion, but no one is willing to listen to the other person. Instead, we are all interested in only what WE have to say, not what the other person has to say. Somehow, we believe that if we do listen, we are indicating that they are right and we are wrong. Well, that way of thinking couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, not only is it wrong, but it also severely limits our ability to learn and grow.

Think about it for a moment. What happens when people start talking about things like not vaccinating their children, not getting a flu shot each year, or even organic food? If it is something completely different than what we believe, we make either a snap judgement about that person or flat out disagree. Either way, we aren’t listening or aren’t interested in learning more about their decision to pursue something different from us. But why? Is it because we secretly like to be right? Is it because we can’t admit that, perhaps, we didn’t do enough research to justify our decision? Is it because we simply took the path of least resistance, because “everyone is doing it” – something like the mob mentality?

Maybe it’s time we started to really listen to what is being said out there about maintaining good health and wellness? Not the advertisements about particular weight loss products or medications, but to what the professionals in the field are saying and living. Take, for example, chiropractors. If schooling for both chiropractors and M.D.s are very similar in terms of classes and length of time, why would one decide to pursue a more holistic approach to wellness? That is the key. Choosing a profession that is vastly different from the norm speaks to passion. It also speaks to a different view on what it means to be healthy and well.

Instead of choosing to stick with what we know as it relates to our own health and wellness, maybe it’s time to start looking through a different lens. A lens that sees the body as intricately connected. A body that is designed to function with proper nutrition, alignment, exercise, sleep, and stress management. One has nothing to lose by learning more about something which we may not know much about. In fact, what we learn could have a significant impact on our quality of life.

Try using a different lens on life. You might be surprised at what you see and how it affects your overall wellness.

Health Obstacles

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The English rock band Foals released a song in 2015 titled “Mountain at My Gates.” The title probably says it all, but it’s a song about the obstacles in life we face each day. We will always have obstacles in our life, that is unavoidable. We may not necessarily like them either, but how we handle them can make a big difference in our life especially as it relates to our overall health.

The easiest example of one of life’s obstacles is when we decide we want to lose weight. Up until we make that decision, we know we are not at our ideal weight. We know we shouldn’t eat certain things. We know we could look and feel better. But there is a mountain at our gates. That mountain is not only the effort it will take to succeed, but the self-motivation and stamina, too. Because, while it may not be difficult to get started with a weight loss plan, there will come a time in our journey where we get frustrated. Frustrated because the weight is not coming off. Frustrated because we had a weak moment and ate far more than we should have. Frustrated because it’s much harder than we thought it would be. But that is the essence of an obstacle, isn’t it?

The first step to overcoming any obstacle is to acknowledge that sooner or later you will face one. It’s part of life. The second step is to be kind to yourself if you slip up and let that obstacle get the best of you. The best thing you can do is move forward and not dwell on the mistake. And the third step is to surround yourself with people you trust to hold you accountable to yourself. These are your go-to people the moment you sense Remember, an obstacle is something that hinders your progress whether it’s internal or external. These are the times you need to test yourself and your commitment to YOU, even if you falter. Recommit. Think how good it will feel to know that you persevered through the obstacles that came your way and realized your goal despite them.

2016 Fitness Movement

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At the onset of each new year there are countless lists of trends of things to be expected. There are trends in fashion, colors, hairstyles, decor, and food. Interestingly, in light of the work we do here at Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), a recent article in Dynamic Chiropractic (1/15/16) highlighted the “Top 10 Fitness Trends for 2016,” by Dr. Jeffrey Tucker. There is also a 2016 fitness trend that you should know about as well.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, or ACSM, there are 10 important trends in the fitness world that are transforming our society and wellness in general.

  1. Wearable Technology
  2. Body-Weight Training
  3. High-Intensity Interval Training
  4. Strength Training
  5. Educated, Experienced Fitness Professionals
  6. Personal Training
  7. Functional Fitness
  8. Programs for Older Adults
  9. Exercise and Weight Loss
  10. Yoga

The good news is that DCW has the ability to address 8 of the 10 trends listed above! The rehabilitation component of our team approach encompasses all types of training that is customized to each individuals needs and goals. Our Rehabilitation Specialist, Omari Kittrell, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to help our patients live not only pain-free, but with better health as well.

While there is no “one size fits all” solution to wellness, there is a right way to achieve it and a wrong way. The wrong way is believing that there is a quick fix to things like losing weight. The wrong way is believing that what worked for a friend will also work for you. The wrong way is also not addressing your whole self, but only a single facet such as weight.

The right way is understanding how intricately related each system in your body is. How pain, for example, can affect your sleep, your weight, your emotional state, and your motivation to exercise. It’s also recognizing that if the root of the problem is not addressed properly, any attempts to achieve wellness can be compromised. That means even if you are successful at losing weight in the short-term, the risk of gaining it all back is more likely if there are other unresolved issues you are dealing with like pain.

Take advantage of today’s trends in fitness. Take the time to invest in yourself and discover how a customized fitness approach can benefit you in the long-run.

Dieting

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Dieting can be a catch 22. While a diet can help us lose those unwanted pounds, it can also create a yo-yo effect that causes our weight to swing from high to low and back again. The swing in weight is because maintaining a particular diet may not be easy nor realistic for us. A diet is also vastly different than a lifestyle, too. The word diet implies something with a beginning and an end, whereas a lifestyle denotes a way of living. Something ongoing versus finite. So beware of the diet if losing weight is your goal, because if you are going to go through all the effort you may as well be able to sustain it, right?

A recent article in The Cincinnati Enquirer (1/10/16) shed light on the inherent problem with dieting as a solution to weight loss. The article featured a notable magician, Penn Jillette, who lost more than 100 pounds in roughly 3 months. This in itself is almost unheard of, to lose that much weight in such little time. But it’s incredibly tempting to believe that it can also happen for us as well. And while it just might, the question we need to ask ourselves is this, “Can we sustain the diet that we use to lose the weight once we reach our target?” This could mean for the rest of your life. If the answer is no, then it’s time to look at weight loss a little differently.

Losing weight takes time, just as it took time to add it. It also requires a different mindset, too. The new mindset involves looking at how you live your life, or your lifestyle. With a diet, you may or may not change your lifestyle for the rest of your life. You might just see this as a temporary solution to your weight loss. Temporary is not a solution. Temporary can mean that things may go back to how they were before. A change in lifestyle implies a more permanent solution to a situation. It means changing habits, changing activities, changing routines. It revolves around change. Only when we change ourselves do we see results truly happen. Results that last a lifetime.

Accountability Partner

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Any path to self-improvement is better when we have someone on the journey with us. Not only does it tell us that we are not alone, but it also benefits us in other ways as well. We have someone who has a better understanding of what we are going through, we have someone who can speak to our personal experience because they are right there with us, we also have someone who will hold us accountable to our journey. We have an accountability partner, who will ensure we stay on track and not let obstacles prevent us from succeeding. And sometimes that obstacle is our own self.

Many times our journey towards better overall health requires more than ourselves in order to be successful. And that’s okay. We are social beings. Taking that first step in the right direction can require a lot of effort. Why? Well, the fear of failure can be a very powerful thing. We may have tried once before and failed. We may be unsure of even where to begin. We may get frustrated and decide to settle with what we have. If we have an accountability partner, we have that external motivation to keep us moving forward. We have someone telling us not to settle, to expect and demand more for ourselves.

Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) can be that accountability partner you are looking for. We understand where you are and where you want to be, plus can address the needs of the “whole” you. Surrounding yourself with the right resources to help you along your journey can mean the difference between success and failure. And success with weight loss is what you want, right? Addressing the needs of all of you means going deeper than simply losing weight. It means strength training, it means better nutrition with supplements if needed, it means a structure that is in alignment, it also means addressing any muscle issues as well with massage.

DCW is rooting for you! Your success is our success. Who’s holding you accountable?

New Year’s Fitness Resolutions

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Each and every year as we approach January 1st we think of resolutions. The most popular, by far, is the resolution to lose weight, especially after all those indulgences over the Holidays. However, when January 1st arrives, many of us find that we don’t know where to begin when it comes to improving our health or losing weight. In fact, we may not have seen the inside of a gym in years. We may have aches and pains that have prevented us from even considering enjoying a gym membership. We may be afraid of making that financial investment because of the pain and discomfort. Both may prevent us from enjoying those workout classes or exercise equipment. The good news is that there is a way to eliminate this roadblock to your New Year’s fitness resolutions. It involves specifically addressing the cause of your pain and discomfort, then correcting it once and for all.

At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), we help individuals get back on track with their fitness goals so they can have success with their fitness resolutions. One of our four elements of care at DCW is rehabilitation, or physical therapy. By identifying and addressing problem areas with strength training and stretching we can provide countless benefits such as:

  • pain relief
  • increased energy
  • improved sleep
  • more strength
  • better balance
  • greater mobility
  • plus the option to join that gym

Removing the obstacles that prevent us from achieving our fitness goals for the new year is key to living a life of wellness. Let us help you remove the barriers that might lay in your path. We can equip you with the solid foundation from which to enhance your life with better health.

Genes and Weight Loss

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It is true that we are all genuinely unique. Each of us has the genes to prove it. However, while our genes may dictate our traits and characteristics that make us unique, we do have some control over which genes we activate, especially when it comes to weight. It’s true that researchers searched for the specific gene that controlled weight, but it was finally determined that it didn’t exist. In fact, what does exist are hundreds of genes that can influence weight. And while we might have a predisposition to weight gain, there are strategies to help prevent this from occurring.

The genes that affect our weight loss cannot be altered, but the lifestyle we lead can determine whether these genes turn on or off. Diagnostic testing can reveal whether or not we carry a known gene, or gene variant, that predisposes us to gaining weight. We can also look to our family history, too. Our ancestry will shed light on conditions we might be predisposed to such as weight gain. Knowledge is power, especially in this case. If we know we are predisposed to weight gain based on our family tree, then we can change our lifestyle to prevent weight gain from occurring. We can “turn off” the gene that predisposes us to weight gain by not giving it the fuel it is looking for. Changes in nutrition, exercise, stress, and exposure to toxicity help offset the tendency.

According to the CDC, “obesity is usually the product of complex interactions among multiple genes and environmental factors” rather than a single gene. Which is why a weight loss strategy for one person may be successful and a failure for another. Understanding how unique we really are is a relief. We can know that we simply need to find a strategy that is custom tailored to our specific needs, versus utilizing a “one size fits all” solution when it comes to weight loss.

Understanding and honoring our uniqueness will go a long way to achieving the weight goals we desire.

Toxins and Weight Loss

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Our modern world is filled with conveniences brought to us by the latest technologies. Inventions of plastic, pesticides, and preservatives have given us a wealth of options to help us live at a faster pace and do more. However, this lifestyle comes with a price. The price we pay is that we now must live in an environment that is filled with the byproduct of these conveniences. Byproducts that we ingest and then store within us. This situation can prevent us from achieving the weight loss we desire, simply because our body can not function as it should.

Let’s face it, if we can’t see it, we really don’t think about it. Out of sight, out of mind. Right? Unfortunately, whether or not we can see the toxins in our environment, they exist. Evidence is growing that reveals how harmful these toxins are to how our body functions, specifically how we process, store, and lose fat. Toxins can be found in everyday items like processed foods, cosmetics, many personal care products, our dental fillings, and even the plastic containers we store our food and water in. Yet, we trust that because the product or food is on the shelf it must be safe for us. While initially it might be, long-term exposure has the potential to change your body’s ability to control weight.

Our body is designed to naturally detoxify itself. Educating ourselves on what foods and products contain toxins and then working to avoid them our body can begin the process of ridding itself of the harmful inorganic compounds. Certain foods can help speed up the process, too. Foods such as cilantro and parsley, and eggs. You can also determine through diagnostic testing what toxins are present in your body so you can develop a plan to eliminate them.

More often than not, the presence of toxins in our body is the result of years of exposure. Be patient and give your body time to eliminate them. You may just find that by going this route your weight loss goal will be successful.

Hormones and Weight Loss

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Did you know that you produce over 50 hormones? Each hormone is responsible for a different function within your body. There are multiple glands throughout your body that produce these hormones to carry out specific functions. They are chemical messengers that regulate functions such as sleep, growth, hunger, metabolism, and reproduction. If a hormone imbalance occurs, the body can be affected by weight gain or with problems losing weight. As we age, we also find that hormones and weight loss become more intimately linked too.

Extra body fat, high levels of stress, poor nutrition, and toxin exposure all can play a role in how well our hormones function. Carrying this excess body fat hinders our body’s ability to control our appetite with the hormone leptin, which tells us when we are full. This miscommunication can lead to overeating and additional weight gain.

Living with excess stress can create a situation where your adrenal glands overproduce the hormone cortisol. This hormone is responsible for raising your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It is also responsible for regulating your immune system. High levels of stress can wreak havoc on your body because sugar cravings can increase, feelings of fatigue can worsen, and the likelihood of thyroid dysfunction grows.

Fortunately, diagnostic testing is available to help determine the reasons for unexplained weight gain or the inability to lose weight. Getting a complete hormone panel test administered will assess your thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal glands. This will chart your course to return balance to your hormones. Recommendations from your healthcare professional could range from dietary adjustments such as reducing your sugar intake, moderating caffeine and alcohol consumption, and increasing proteins and vegetables in your diet; switching from strength to cardio training; and increasing your sleep and practicing relaxation techniques.

The good news is that hormone balance can be achieved. If you find yourself stuck in the weight loss department, something more may be going on. Knowing what you are up against can turn the tides back in your favor so you can reap the rewards from your efforts to obtain better health and wellness.

Hormones and Weight Loss

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Did you know that you produce over 50 hormones? Each hormone responsible for a different function within your body. There are multiple glands throughout your body that produce hormones to carry out specific functions. Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate functions like sleep, growth, hunger, metabolism, and reproduction. If a hormone imbalance occurs, our body can be affected with either weight gain or with problems losing weight. As we age, we find that hormones and weight loss are intimately linked throughout our life.

Extra body fat, high levels of stress, poor nutrition, and toxin exposure all can play a role in how well our hormones function. Carrying excess body fat hinders our body’s ability to control our appetite. The hormone responsible for telling us we are full, leptin, is produced by our fat cells. The excess weight we carry hinders our brain’s ability to receive the signal from leptin that we are full. This miscommunication can lead to overeating and additional weight gain.

Living with excess stress can create a situation where your adrenal glands overproduce cortisol. This hormone is responsible for raising your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It is also responsible for regulating your immune system. High levels of stress can wreak havoc on your body. We may find that sugar cravings increase, feelings of fatigue worsen, and the likelihood of thyroid dysfunction grows.

Fortunately, diagnostic testing is available to help determine the reasons for unexplained weight gain or the inability to lose weight. Getting a complete hormone panel test administered will assess your thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal glands. This will chart your course to return balance to your hormones. Recommendations from your healthcare professional could range from dietary adjustments such as reducing your sugar intake, moderating caffeine and alcohol consumption, and increasing proteins and vegetables in your diet; switching from strength to cardio training; and increasing your sleep and practicing relaxation techniques.

The good news is that hormone balance can be achieved. If you find yourself stuck in the weight loss department, something more may be going on. Knowing what you are up against can turn the tides back in your favor so you can reap the rewards from your efforts to obtain better health and wellness.

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