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Finding the Root Cause

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In the field of law there are attorneys. Just as in the field of medicine there are doctors. However, within each field there are countless specialties. In law, there are attorneys that specialize in real estate transactions, divorce, legal defense, prosecution, corporate, and tax. With medicine, there are doctors that specialize in pediatrics, cancer, surgery, heart, female reproduction, and trauma. It is good to have specialities because when there is a specific problem, we want a specific answer, not generalities. When it comes to our health, we know preventative is best. But there are inevitably times when that doesn’t happen and we get sick or injured. Sometimes when that happens there is a ripple effect. Symptoms may be alleviated, but the underlying problem may persist. The good news is that with our overall wellness, there are doctors that focus on finding the root cause of the problem and preventing future problems. One of those doctors is a Doctor of Chiropractic.

What many people don’t realize is that a Doctor of Chiropractic chooses this field of practice because he or she believes in a holistic approach to a person’s health. Each part of a person is intimately connected – mentally, physically, emotionally. What happens to one part of us affects all the others. We cannot separate things into compartments. Chiropractors also believe that prescription medications tend to mask the underlying problem and have the potential to create other problems for the person down the road, too. Chiropractors work tirelessly to resolve the root cause of the problem, whether it’s pain, discomfort, lack of mobility or flexibility, migraines, fatigue, or inflammation. If you have never been treated by a chiropractor this may sound counterintuitive to what we have been exposed to in the media and press with respect to what one might call “modern day medicine.” You needn’t look too far to find countless advertisements for prescription medications offering a solution to various health ailments. But do they always solve the true cause of your problem?

Chiropractic care is a comprehensive approach to the overall wellness of the entire individual. It seeks to understand, then provide a solution to the real problem. It finds the cause.

Have You Settled With Your Health?

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There’s a great commercial out there from DirecTV, poking fun at people who settle for cable television. While it is quite entertaining and a clever way to market their product, it can also shed some light into other areas of our lives as well. It seems that society at large has decided to settle, or accept, less in life. It starts in our youth where we may settle for less than straight A’s. We may settle and not push ourselves academically in high school and beyond, instead opting for a primed social life. We may continue to settle later in life with jobs that don’t give us purpose, settle with friends who take us for granted, or settle with a less than desirable weight or diet. We simply decide at some point to not put for the effort it takes to have it better. Choices such as these have long-term ramifications to our overall success in life. However, it is never to late to expect more out of yourself. You can decide to never settle in life again, especially with your health.

Making the decision to expect more can change the landscape of your life. Prioritizing your health and wellness by actively choosing to lose weight through diet and exercise has a positive ripple effect with your self-confidence, energy level, self-image, and lifestyle. We may not even realize that we have settled for anything because we are content. However, contentment can sometimes be seen as settling for less than, too.

Take an inventory of your life. Stop and really think about ways you can raise the bar in your own life and expect more from yourself. Not settling can push you out of your comfort zone, but staying where you are can have far greater consequences. Making better health a priority now can give you years of a higher quality of life much later. Pushing yourself to take an active role in overall wellness can change the trajectory of your life in amazing ways. Deep down, you know if you have been settling for less with your health. Maybe it’s time to listen to that small voice and tell it you are ready to begin.

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.

Start With a Solid Foundation

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With the new year upon us, there is a flurry of activity in the resolution department. A vast majority of these resolutions center around a single theme – better health. Better health could mean a resolution of losing weight, joining a gym, working out more, eating out less,  or tossing out all the processed food at home. Either way, it all comes back to the same theme, better health. But there is something more to this resolution that could determine whether or not a person is successful. That is, is there a solid foundation from which to build from?

On the surface, dieting programs seem to work. We purchase the special ingredients, eat what the diet tells us we can, and watch the pounds drop off. But there’s a problem eventually. What happens when the diet is over? Studies indicate that resolutions to lose weight fail an average of 6 times. Six times! It’s no wonder people get frustrated and give up, resigning themselves to being overweight and, by default, unhealthy. The problem is that a diet is a temporary fix. It does not address the lifestyle a person is living nor the physical activity a person is engaging in. It also does not address the foundation, or core, of a person. For example, pain in a person’s knee or back can thwart their efforts to keep any weight off they may have lost with a diet. Why? If this is to be a lifestyle of health and wellness, pain in any place of a person’s body will inhibit their physical activity. If it hurts, one cannot do much of anything. Weight can be lost with a diet, but toning and strengthening the body cannot happen.

At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness we begin with the foundation of a person. We uncover why the foundation may not be solid. Why there is pain. We address the problem head on with stretching and strengthening exercises. At DCW, we call that rehabilitation, or physical therapy. By rebuilding a solid foundation for an individual, we open the door to obtaining successful weight loss goals. It is not a temporary solution, but a lifelong solution.

There are no quick fixes in life. There are ways to remedy a situation to improve it, but it always requires the investment of time and work. Are you ready to get well? If the answer is yes, we’d love to hear from you!

Health: Your Greatest Asset

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Ringing in the new year means many things. Resolutions. Watching the ball drop in Times Square. Celebrating with family and friends. It also causes us to pause and reflect on the year coming to an end. The successes, the failures, the joys, the sorrows. We look forward to the new year with hope and excitement, too, for we realize the possibilities that await us. But we also take inventory of our life as well. This inventory is where we draw our resolutions from. It is this very inventory that we see what is truly important in our life – those we love and our health. We become astutely aware of our greatest asset, good health. For without good health everything else pales in comparison.

We can have all the money in the world, but if we are unable to enjoy it then it’s a waste. Likewise, if we have countless possibilities each day but are unable to take advantage of them because poor health is holding us back then it means nothing. Good health and overall wellness is priceless. Lose it for any amount of time due to an injury or illness and you will know what that means all too well.

At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW) we understand the value of your greatest asset. We work tirelessly to return every patient we treat back to good health and wellness. We know the value of a team approach. Coordinating care to address the unique needs of each person we see. When you have that road map to take you to your destination you understand peace of mind. You would never take a trip without one. Same with your health. You need a care plan that maps out the steps to your destination of wellness, and DCW does just that. Combining chiropractic, massage, rehabilitation and nutrition to ensure we find that solution you are looking for. Now that’s peace of mind.

 

The Road to Wellness

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Remember that great television ad from Staples featuring the easy button? Everything was resolved with the simple push of a button. It became such a hit that Staples began selling the actual easy button. If only life were that easy. As comical as it might be, reality tells us that many things in life just aren’t designed to be easy. When it comes to our own personal wellness journey, the road inevitable has a few bumps along the way. However, modern day medicine gives us the impression that there is an easy button that comes in the form of prescription medications. A quick fix for any ailment, hence the trend our society is facing today of increasing prescription use. The road to wellness has no use for an easy button because the easy fix does not address the underlying issue and is only a temporary solution.

A recent article from The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, 11/3/15) highlighted the fact that society’s dependence on prescription drugs is continuing to increase. It also revealed an increase in those who are taking five or more medications as well. Five or more! With the number of side effects related with any medication, taking more than one at a time sounds like a recipe for disaster. How can someone know what “good” feels like if their body is dealing with the effects of the multiple medications they are taking?

While we might wish that there was an easy button when it comes to our health, it simply isn’t the case. What is is time, patience, knowledge, and work. Slowly unraveling the coils of a sedentary lifestyle with poor nutritional food choices. It took time to get us where we are at, it will take time to get us back to where we want to be. Toss out your misconceptions about wellness. There isn’t a band-aid approach that will fix things. There isn’t an easy button or prescription medications that will do the trick. What there is is you – your efforts, your commitment to yourself, your investment of time. A journey of wellness always begins somewhere, but where you go with it is completely up to you.

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.

The Healing Crisis

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“Two steps forward, one step back.”

This familiar saying seems to capture the true essence of healing. At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), healing is our top priority. However, healing is a process that not only takes time but also involves various stages. The stage that surprises our patients the most is called the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. This is also called the healing crisis stage. While it might seem odd to have the words healing and crisis connected, this is exactly what is happening within the body. Healing actually means the body is eliminating the toxins that are existing within it. The healing crisis is the temporary worsening of symptoms as the body goes through the process of getting well. It is normal and to be expected. Unfortunately, if we are unaware of this stage in our healing we might think something is wrong. We then want to stop whatever it is we are doing to heal, and then find ourselves once again right back where we started – in pain.

At DCW we are big advocates of education. We believe that with knowledge comes the power to transform your life. All to often it is misconceptions, or a lack of understanding, that leaves people living with pain and discomfort. Many times, the people who walk through our doors have tried to address their pain in other ways, without success. From the onset, every team member at DCW works to identify, address, educate, and resolve whatever issue brought that person to us.

When it comes to healing, knowing that you will inevitably take “two steps forward, and one step back” at some point in the process is an important sign that you are on the right path. It means your body is responding well to the treatment you are receiving. Your body is working hard to heal, and sometimes that means experiencing additional symptoms such as nausea, poor coordination, headaches, and fatigue. The good news is that this is a temporary situation and one that resolves in only a couple of days.

Remember, healing is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. It requires work. Your body is equipped to know what it’s supposed to do. Give it the room it needs to heal itself. Your body will thank you and you will benefit because you will feel the difference.

Best Health Possible

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There’s a great song by Eric Clapton that he wrote for the 1986 movie “The Color of Money,” starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. The song is entitled “It’s In The Way That You Use It” and it’s about two pool hustlers and how they use their talents to scam others.  It seems that the title is also appropriate for our general health and wellness, too. We may not have the ideal height, weight, genetic make up, or body type and that’s okay. What it really comes down to is how we use what we do have today so that we can enjoy the best health possible tomorrow. Or as Eric Clapton sings, “It’s In The Way That You Use It.”

We have all heard countless stories of the triumph of the human spirit despite incredible odds. Those individuals don’t let handicaps, bad luck, or tragedy prevent them from reaching their goals. They take what they have and create success. The same philosophy can be applied to any of us. Why should we let anything stop us from looking and feeling good? What it really comes down to is using each day to benefit our health. Taking one step at a time in the right direction versus throwing obstacles in our path. Obstacles such as excuses, distractions, laziness, and frustrations that give us “reasons” to not use what we have to make ourselves the best version possible.

With the New Year right around the corner, take time to evaluate what is holding you back from reaching your wellness goals. Be honest with yourself. Make 2016 the year you use what you have to stay on the path of wellness. If you’re stuck, Damron Chiropractic & Wellness can be your guide. Sometimes we need a little help, just like the training wheels on your first bike. DCW can be your training wheels that get you on the right path of better health and wellness. We can help you achieve the best health possible, in a way that honors who you are and where you are on your journey. Once you have your balance, you’ll be ready to take it from there.

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