When we were looking for patients to celebrate their stories of finding relief during National Chiropractic Month, Debbie Skewes was at the top of Dr. Brooke’s list.

Chiropractors Help More Than Just Back Pain

She first visited Dr. Brooke in late summer with complaints of pain and stiffness in her shoulder, knee, and hip.

“My knee was basically locked up, I was suffering from sciatica from my hip, and my shoulder was suffering from bursitis,” says Debbie. “I hadn’t been to the in years and thought it was time to try it again.”

She set an appointment with Dr. Brooke after her daughter told her how much he had helped with her son’s headaches. After her initial appointment, she had a better understanding of what her issues were and the plan to get her back to feeling and moving better.

Now, Debbie can move her knee freely without pain, her sciatica is manageable, and he continues to prescribe special therapeutic exercises for her shoulder. She recently had some ribs displace and because she had continued to see Dr. Brooke, he was able to help move them back into place.

“Debbie is one of those patients that you just look forward to having in the office. Always smiling and appreciative of her care,” says Dr. Brooke.

A True Believer in Chiropractic

This wasn’t the first time Debbie chose a chiropractor over other healthcare options for her pain and wellness.

“I was raised on chiropractors,” she recalls. “We went to chiropractors for sore throats, muscle cramps, anything you can think of. I truly believe in them.”

As longtime chiropractic patient, she has seen the industry progress in their processes and level of care. She says she can tell that the doctors at Tuck Chiropractic have worked hard to refine their practice and provide the  best level of care possible.

If anyone tells her they’re skeptical of chiropractic, all she can do is say “just give it a try!”.

We’re Here to Help

While 80% of chiropractic patients come in with back pain, we are able to do so much more for the overall mobility and functioning of the whole body. Often times, issues that arise in other parts of the body stem from misalignment in the spine. Because we look at the body as a whole and treat the source of the issue, not just the symptoms, we are able to help people feel better and live better lives.

Start your chiropractic journey today by requesting your first consultation. 

Zach Bird, Chiropractic Assistant at our Blacksburg has a unique outlook on life, health, and wellness.

Facing His Own Health Challenges

When Zach was 12 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer that affects white blood cells in bone marrow. His mother and step-father would spend the next three years with him at St. Judes Children’s Hospital until he was cleared at the age of 15.

“I haven’t had any scares since then – I’ve been really blessed in that way,” says Zach. “It really brought my family and I closer and we are still very close today because of it.”

While Zach still goes regularly to get screened, he also participates in special research that tracks the long term effects on the treatments he received in his youth. They use the research to work to prevent long term side effects. In this way, he gives back to children who face the same the same road to a cure.

“This experience has changed my perspective on everything,” says Zach. “I would not be the same person I am today without St. Judes. A lot of people equate cancer to a bad thing, but honestly it was the best time of my life.”

Channeling His Experiences

Today, Zach channels his experience in the care he provides patients as a Chiropractic Assistant at our Blacksburg Clinic. Most days, he spends time handling patient data entry and assisting the doctors with manual therapies. He really values the face to face time he gets with patients and getting to know them.

“It’s really focused on the patient experience and making everyone feel welcome. I’m glad to be a part of that,” says Zach. He also appreciates the time he gets to spend with his coworkers.

“We really all click so well and nobody is afraid to pitch in and get the job done,” he adds.

Outside of work and participating in the children’s research program, Zach is still very active in Relay For Life in his hometown of Glade Springs, VA. In his free time at home, he spends time at his current resident in Radford, VA doing woodworking and handyman work.

Because of the experiences that brought him here today, Zach cares for Tuck Chiropractic patients with the utmost care and empathy. He lives life to the fullest and sees every day as a gift. We’re so lucky to have his bright disposition on our team!

Acute pain is something that affects every person at some time in their lives, but some people suffer from extended chronic pain, often resulting in missed work and a lower quality of life. Approximately 80% of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lives and it is one of the most common complaints by patients to their primary care doctor. Finding pain relief can sometimes be a long process of trial and error, amounting in an immensity of healthcare costs. Let’s explore the true cost of pain.

Economic Costs of Pain

In 2011, the Institute of Medicine published a research report titled Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research. In the economic impact portion of the study, they analyzed the cost of pain as the result of cost of medical care as well as indirect costs such as lost wages, disability days, and fewer hours worked. The findings stated that lost productivity from pain ranged from $299 to $335 billion annually. If you add in the cost of health care due to pain, the total rises to $560 to $635 billion dollars, making the cost of pain higher than heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. In summation, pain has a major impact on workforce and the health care industry.

Cost of Pain Relief for Individuals

Beyond the impact of pain on society as a whole, pain also presents a lot of cost to the individual. Depending on an individual’s choice in care and insurance benefits, the cost of finding relief could be enough to send someone into bankruptcy. Let’s break down the cost of different types of pain management.

One of the most commonly prescribed solutions to pain is medication in the form of over the counter pain relievers or opioids. A study by the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy reports that the total cost of prescription medications for pain was an average $17.8 billion annually from 2000-2007. The average price per pill with insurance varies from $1.50 to $6. At a minimum of one dose per day, the average cost of prescription pain management annually ranges from $540 to $2,190 a year, not including doctor visits and the cost of vulnerability to addiction.

When prescription medications don’t work, some individuals turn to surgery to find relief. According to the book Chronic Pain Management, the estimated cost of lumbar surgery is $27,577. Needless to say, whether you have insurance or not, the cost of pain relief is a burden on any individual’s finances.

Chiropractic Care is a Cost Effective Choice for Relief

More and more, people are turning to non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatments for pain. Along with treatments like physical therapy and acupuncture, chiropractic care is a more cost effective solution for pain relief.

Oakland University’s School of Business Administration published a study highlighting the medical costs of low back pain care, reporting that chiropractic patients save about $1,000 over a two year period in comparison to other pain relief options. At Tuck Chiropractic, the average cost of an initial consultation without insurance is a mere $75. With the following adjustments costing only $50 each and the average care plan requiring approximately 6-8 visits over the course of 2-3 weeks, the cost of relief amounts to about $475. If your insurance carrier covers chiropractic care, the cost is significantly less.

When all is said and done, chiropractic care can save you money, save you time, and save you from the dangers of addiction to medication. If you would like to find out if chiropractic care is a cost-effective solution for your pain, schedule a consultation at a nearby Tuck Chiropractic clinic today. We’re here to help.

The American Pregnancy Association advocates for chiropractic care before, during, and after pregnancy to support the mother’s body in adapting to her changing body and recovering from labor and delivery. It is a great non-invasive solution that can replace the need for pain medication throughout pregnancy and recovery.

Reducing Complications During Pregnancy

As the body adjusts to make room for your growing embryo, your musculoskeletal system may become misaligned causing a protruding abdomen and increased back curvature, pelvic changes, and postural adaptations to weight. These changes can cause severe back pain and sciatica, intrauterine restriction, and could result in the inability to have a natural, non-invasive birth.

Regular chiropractic adjustments can help your bones and joints adjust to the added weight of carrying your child and reduce pain as a result.  Some other benefits of chiropractic during pregnancy include overall improvement in health and controlling symptoms of nausea.

Preparing the Body for Labor & Delivery

One of the biggest ways chiropractic care can help prepare a mother’s body for labor and delivery is through the Webster’s Technique. This gentle adjustment relieves pressure from the sacrum and reduces intrauterine restriction that could prevent the baby from moving into the proper position for birth. The goal of this technique is to prevent an emergency cesarean delivery.

Chiropractic care can also help reduce the time spent in labor and delivery. When pelvic floor strengthening exercises are paired with adjustments, contractions that take place during labor are reportedly less painful and the body is able to prepare for delivery quickly.

Expediting Recovery

The postpartum body requires a significant amount of healing. Loose ligaments need to be strengthened, nerve functioning needs to be restored, and the pelvis and spine are often out of alignment. Therapeutic exercises can be used to recuperate weakened spinal and  abdominal muscles and continued chiropractic care can help the spine and nervous system return to normal functioning.

When caring for their newborn, mothers will also experience a new type of strain in the thoracic region as a result of feeding and carrying the baby. Chiropractic adjustments and strengthening techniques can also provide relief in this region. Finally, some research connects chiropractic care to reduction of stress and improved mood – something many mothers struggle with postpartum.

Chiropractic Care for Newborns

The mother isn’t the only one who can benefit from chiropractic care after birth. The birthing process puts a lot of pressure on a newborn’s spine and chiropractic care can help prepare the baby’s spine for the significant growth that happens in the first year. Some research has also shown evidence that chiropractic care can reduce the symptoms and occurence of colic, ear infections, and ADHD in infants and children.

Tell your chiropractor as soon as you think you are pregnant so they can adjust your treatments accordingly. If you are not already seeing a chiropractor, talk to your obstetrician to see if they believe chiropractic care is right for your pregnancy.

Trying to choose a career path when you’re growing up can sometimes be a headache. For Dr. Nicole Dougherty, it was the treatments she received for her own real headaches that put her on the path to becoming a chiropractor from a young age.

“My aunt and uncle are both chiropractors so I was already familiar with the practice,” says Dougherty. “But it wasn’t until I started seeing a chiropractor for my headaches that I was really certain that it was what I wanted to do. It was the only thing that helped me.”
As an active young athlete, Nicole was limited by the pain of her constant headaches. After receiving chiropractic treatment, she was able to continue to focus better and perform well both in sports and in school. As a Florida native, she knew that attending Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange was the path for her.

After starting her career at an integrated medicine clinic, Dougherty wanted the opportunity to focus on providing the treatments she was passionate about and joined the Tuck Chiropractic team. She now serves patients at our Blacksburg clinic on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and at our Salem-Roanoke clinic on Tuesdays and Fridays.

“I really enjoy working for Tuck Chiropractic because it’s so patient-centered,” says Dougherty. “We’re empowered to try a variety of methods and techniques to help people live a happier, healthier lifestyle.”
For Dr. Dougherty, a successful day at work means that she was able to help her patient return to a normal level of activity and quality of life. It’s the simple accomplishments, like helping patients feel well enough to walk their dogs or play with their kids on the floor, that make her feel like she’s making a true impact.

“My main goal is to help people do what they want to do and what they love to do,” says Dougherty.

Outside of work, Nicole embraces an active lifestyle in her own ways through CrossFit and kayaking. While moving from Florida to Southwest Virginia required some adjusting and more sweaters, she really enjoys the outdoor amenities like kayaking and hiking.
If you’d like to learn more about how Dr. Dougherty can help you find relief from pain and reach your personal wellness goals, schedule an appointment today!

Each year, around August and September, our clinics see an influx of patients seeking relief from lower back pain and other injuries. With the increase of travel, lawn care, and summer physical activities, many people find themselves feeling sore as things start to slow down. We’re all familiar with the concept of “weekend warrior” syndrome – when big bursts of physical activity after long sedentary periods cause injuries – but what about “summer warrior” syndrome?
If you’re hoping to squeeze as much as possible out of your last few weeks of summer, make sure you’re taking care of your body properly so that you’re not feeling the effects long into autumn.

Recovering from Extended Wear and Tear

Being a “summer warrior” probably means your burst of physical activity lasted longer than one weekend, which means your injury may be worse than usual. A busy summer also means you may have missed some of your maintenance chiropractic appointments due to scheduling conflicts.
To begin recovery, make sure you’re icing properly when your injury flares up. You’ll still be weed wacking well into fall, so if you find your shoulders are sore after a session in the yard, ice immediately.
You should also reach out to your chiropractor to return to regular care. If you have a serious injury, you may need to begin a new care plan. Otherwise, it should be easy for you to fall right back into your routine monthly appointments. Be honest about your condition when you consult with your doctor.

Prevention is Key

The best way to prevent injury next summer is to stay active year-round. By strengthening your body and maintaining a higher level of activity, your body won’t be so shocked when the summer frenzy kicks off. To balance out more time spent inside, make adjustments to your workout routine to be more gym or in-home based.
You can also prevent injury throughout the summertime by being more mindful of overexertion. If you’re a frequent summer traveler, make sure you’re taking measures to protect your lower back from extended time sitting. If you’re a trail lover, make sure you’re using the proper backpack equipment to carry your supplies and support your back.
Find more tips to protect your back from summer activities here:
Proper Summer Footwear for Your Back
Protect Your Back When Traveling
Avoiding Pain While Kayaking
Preventing Injury from Outdoor Activities
If you’re finding yourself in pain after a long, busy summer, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation with a chiropractor near you today.

Your shoulders are made up of some of the most complex combinations of bones, joints, tendons, and muscles in the entire body. It’s where your neck, back, and arms come together to support your upper body. That’s why shoulder pain can have a major impact on the overall wellness of your neck and back.

Impact of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can often result in poor posture and pain that extends into the neck and upper back. Pain can stem from strain in the tendons or inflammation in the bones and joints. Regular chiropractic treatment and active therapeutic exercise can work together to reduce the impact of shoulder pain. Here are few simple exercises to make sure you’re doing every thing you can to reduce your pain.

Exercises to Increase Shoulder Strength

Rowing
Using a row machine, exercise bands, or free weights to build muscle between your shoulder blades is the best way to provide added support for your shoulders. It can improve posture and reduce strain on your upper back and shoulders.
Making sure your back is completely straight, pull exercise band, weights, or machine cables backward, flexing the muscles between your shoulder blades as the main source of strength. Arms can either be up in alignment with your shoulders or down at your side.
Shoulder Squeeze
Another great way to exercise the muscles between your shoulders is a simple shoulder squeeze that can be done any time, any where! Position your arms like a goal post with your upper arms straight out to your side and your forearms upward. Without moving your arms, begin to move your shoulders backwards by squeezing the muscle between your shoulder blades. It’s helpful to imagine that you’re trying to hold a marker between your shoulders. If you have a tennis ball laying around, you can use it as a prop to get started! Hold the pose for 10-20 seconds at a time.
Bound Locust Pose 
While most people perceive yoga to be primarily focused on stretching, there are some positions that are also great for gentle strengthening. A bound locust pose can help you open space in your collar bones and strengthen your trapezius muscles. Laying flat on your stomach with your arms straight behind your back, join your palms together with fingers interlaced. With your feet together, you can choose to raise them or leave them on the ground for leverage as you enter into the pose. Slow lift your chest off the floor, using your back muscles to stabilize. Hold for as long as you can without losing the integrity of the pose. Rest and repeat!
There are plenty of ways to take small measures to create a big impact on the strength of your upper back and shoulders. Ask your chiropractor for specific exercises that fit your unique needs.

Tuck Clinic’s presence in Southwest Virginia has a strong history of helping patients feel and live better. Chiropractic Assistant, Judy Lintecum, has been there through it all.
Judy joined Tuck Chiropractic Clinic under Dr. Tuck Sr. in 1984 at the opening of the Galax clinic. She was hired to assist patients with their therapy prior to adjustments, but quickly gained X-ray and administrative skills. Today, she assists Dr. McKown at the Woodlawn location doing everything from intaking patients and scheduling appointment, assisting with therapy, and answering questions about care plans.
“It’s nice to be able to do a lot of different things every day,” says Judy. “I love working with the patients the most.”
Working for a company for 35 years means you see the company grow and change. While some of our patient-centered care processes have changed, Judy says the level of care provided and tight knit, family-like culture has remained the same.
“It’s always felt like a family and that’s why I’ve stayed so long,” says Judy. “We may have 10 offices now, but it doesn’t feel that way. I can still pick up the phone and call someone across the region. Even the patients feel like they’re family.”
Prior to working for Tuck Chiropractic, Judy didn’t really know a lot about the practice and how it can impact the lives of patients. She quickly became a true believer in its healing powers. In the first few weeks of joining the team, she saw a patient visit Dr. Tuck Sr. unable to even transport herself to the clinic, unable to walk or stand. That same day she watched them walk out of the office. Now she tells anyone who will listen about the benefits.
“My family goes and I tell everyone I talk to about it,” says Judy, adding how her own experience has impacted her life. “It helps with stress and when I have to sit for an extended time, and it’s had a big impact on my immune system. I rarely get sick.”
When people meet her advice with apprehension, she reassures people that Dr. McKown and the other doctors truly take the time to get to know their problems and explain how they may be able to help them before making any adjustments. Dr. McKown even goes as far to ask patients to share one thing that they wish they could be doing in their daily lives that they can’t do now. She measures their progress by what they are now able to do , compared to what they couldn’t do on the initial visit.
Judy looks forward to continue watching the doctors at Tuck Chiropractic improve the quality of life of their patients through non-invasive, patient-centered care. If you’d like to find out if we can help you achieve a better lifestyle, schedule a consultation today.

Starting a new exercise regimen can be a daunting task. Depending on your level of ability and starting point, some exercise routines may be better for you than ever. The key is finding something your body can handle and that your brain can enjoy.

Talk to Your Doctor First

If you have a history of health problems and pain, it’s important that you talk with your doctor before starting a new regimen. Your chiropractor can set you up with some simple therapeutic exercises to get you started, then you can build from more. You can also ask your primary care provider what level of exercise you should be doing if you have any heart or lung problems.

Set Specific Goals

Setting specific goals is a great next step. Ask yourself why you want to start working out? You’ll never maintain the motivation to stay active if you don’t have a clear goal in mind. This will also guide what kind of exercises you should do.
Let’s look at a few common goals and explore some options.
“I’m just getting started with exercise and need to strengthen my muscles to avoid pain.”
It’s easy to feel like you’re starting from square one if you’re in this situation, but it’s not as daunting as you may think! The trick is to start small and build upon habits and ability.
If you experience a lot of pain from activities, try low impact workouts like swimming or walking on soft surfaces. This is also where therapeutic exercise or physical therapy can come into play. Doing gentle, strengthening exercises with little or no weights can be a great way to build a foundation before taking the next step.
“I’m not in a lot of pain but I want to lose weight.”
The great news about having weight loss as a goal is that there are variety of ways to achieve that goal. Aside from eating better, a combination of aerobic and strengthening exercises can have you well on your way to your goal weight. It’s a common misconception that people should focus only on aerobic exercise, but building up the muscle to support those high powered exercises is important to prevent injury.
Whether you want to exercise in the gym or on your own, there are plenty of options. You can start small by walking and hiking or jump right into jogging and biking if you’re up for the challenge. There are also an endless amount of YouTube videos and apps that provide with varietal at home routines if you’re more of a homebody. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you enjoy.
“I’m aging and want to maintain my independence and balance.”
Nobody likes to face the fact that their fitness and body isn’t what it used to be. Overtime, our musculoskeletal system takes a lot of wear and tear and the body can begin to deteriorate with age. It’s important to get ahead of the curve and choose exercises that will help you maintain balance and stamina.
Chiropractic is a great way for older adults to maintain coordination and mobility. When paired with the right kind of exercise, you can stay active long into your retirement. Low impact exercises and yoga are two great ways to stay active. Low impact exercises allow you to maintain muscle without putting strain on your aging joints. Yoga and tai chi can help reduce pain and help you maintain balance.

Don’t Give Up

Remember, these are just general recommendations. It’s important to recognize when a routine simply isn’t working for you. Don’t get discouraged and stop altogether, just try something else. If you have questions about your level of ability, call your doctor to discuss your options today.

Outside of our clinics, we have a fantastic team of individuals who work at our Corporate office in Blacksburg, VA. They strive to make sure the business side of our company runs smoothly so that our doctors and chiropractic assistants can focus on providing quality care to our patients. April Musselman is part of that team.
April joined Tuck Chiropractic Clinic in 2006 after leaving the banking industry. Starting out as a chiropractic assistant at our Christiansburg clinic, she quickly found that she wanted to get back to the world of crunching numbers. In 2008, she joined our team at the Corporate office as Corporate A/P Assistant. Each day, she deals with incoming and outgoing payments, organizing deposits, and managing billing. She also prepares audits for insurance claims before they’re submitted.
“I truly love my job. I couldn’t ask for anything better in my opinion,” says April – adding that she hopes one day she’ll retire from Tuck Chiropractic.
Beyond the joy of her job duties, April is proud to work for a chiropractic group that genuinely focuses on patient-centered care. She knows that every doctor and staff member truly cares about the well being of their patients and do what it takes to help them enjoy the wonders of an active, pain-free life.
“We have open conversations with each patient so they know what’s going to happen and so they can get the most out of their treatment,” says April. “The care is customized to each person’s particular goals.”
She encourages people considering chiropractic for the first time to not let the thought of the adjustment intimidate them. The doctors are there to talk you through the process and the treatment is completely natural.
In her free time, April spends as much time as possible with her family. She frequently goes camping with her husband of 20 years and two children. They also spend a lot of time with their extended family. A great day relaxing means camping and playing cards with everyone.