At it’s heart, chiropractic care seeks to provide healing from the inside out with non-invasive methods and no chemicals. Through manual adjustments and supplemental therapies, chiropractic care can reduce pain and inflammation throughout the body using only what the body already possesses to heal.
Because of these unique methods, many people use “alternative medicine” to describe chiropractic care, but we prefer to look at it as part of a holistic approach that should be integrated with other methods of care.

What is Holistic Health and How Does Chiropractic Contribute?

Holistic medicine, by definition, is a “form of healing that considers the whole person — body, mind, spirit, and emotions — in the quest for optimal health and wellness.”
By treating the person as a whole, instead of just focusing on a single ailment or body system, the individual should be able to achieve optimal health. Holistic healthcare follows a special set of beliefs about health and wellness of the human body:

• People have innate healing powers – pharmacological methods are not always needed.
• You should treat the person, not the disease – focusing on the disease limits the scope of healing.
• Treatment should fix the root of the problem, not just the symptom.
• Healing should take a team approach.

These are all tenets that the chiropractors at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic stand by.

What Other Holistic Methods Can Supplement Chiropractic?

Expanding on the concept of a team approach, one discipline of healthcare should never work in a silo. We have long advocated for an integrated care model centered around the patient’s individual needs. We work with primary care practitioners, physical therapists, neurosurgeons, and many more doctors – but our collaboration doesn’t stop there. Coordinating care with other methods of holistic health can take the benefits of chiropractic care even further.
Many of our doctors supplement their care with holistic techniques like acupuncture or dry needling, massage therapy, and manual stretching. They provide diet and fitness counseling that can further their healing. We can even help you discover homeopathic or naturopathic solutions to help patients take control of their holistic health at home.
The combination of all of these different methods of care and wellness can contribute to the holistic health of the individual – from reducing stress to healing pain, to improving gut health – we’re here to help. Start on the path of holistic wellness with a consultation at a Tuck Chiropractic Clinic near you.

At Tuck Chiropractic Clinic, we believe that a healthy workplace is a happy workplace. We work hard to educate our patients and our employees about the importance of a healthy lifestyle both in- and outside of work.

Tangible Ways to Encourage a Healthy Workplace

Over the past few years, we’ve made great strides to make sure our employees have healthy workstations. They say sitting is the new smoking, so we’ve purchased or built desks that allow them to choose to sit or stand. We also look for local races and walks to participate in as a team.
This year, we want to help our employees work on their diet and exercise. Any doctor can tell you that you need to “eat better” and be “more active” – but what does that really mean? Everyone has unique needs for a well-balanced diet and not everyone knows where to access quality food to incorporate.
We’re hoping to change that.

Our First CSA Partnership

At our most recent full team training, we announced that in 2019, our organization will launch our first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) partnership to give our employees access to affordable, local produce to supplement the healthy eating habits we hope to help them establish.

 Chef Ashton of Glade Road Growing provided fresh, local salad and potato salad for the team.

Dr. Tuck’s Garden in 2018

Tuck Chiropractic Clinic is always seeking out ways to provide a superior level of care to all of our patients. Every part of our patient-centered care is performed with intention and dedication. For years we’ve been singing the praises of an integrated, collaborative patient-centered care model that allows doctors across specialties to collaborate on behalf of the patient. We actively seek out primary care providers, orthopedists, physical therapists, and the like to take our care to the next level.

Collaborating with Physical Therapists

Dr. Harrison Hunt of Rehabilitation Associates of Central Virginia, has been a fantastic partner in this effort.  As a physical therapist, she works to empower people to be active participants in their own treatment and works collaboratively with other health care professionals to ensure patients receive truly comprehensive care – something that the doctors at Tuck Chiropractic are also passionate about.
“Physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education,” says Dr. Hunt. “We look at the whole person and get the patient involved in their treatment actively with exercise, body mechanic training, and posture changes.”
Like chiropractors, physical therapists provide personalized treatments plans that assist patients in improving their mobility, managing pain, and recovering from injuries. When a physical therapy care program is aligned with a patient’s chiropractic treatment plan, the results can be incredibly impactful.
“If a patient has been seeing one of the Tuck chiropractors and they find that the patient would benefit from additional training – such as more advanced shoulder strength training – we can treat the patient concurrently,” says Dr. Hunt. “We worked with a patient that had cervical pain who also had radicular symptoms into the arm and problems into their shoulder blade.”
Many times the PT will coordinate more “Active Care” or assisted mobility exercises to rehabilitate target muscle groups.
When the patient started seeing Dr. Hunt to supplement their care, their shoulder blade weakness and instability improved while the chiropractors at Tuck Clinic were able to continue to treat the cervical problem. Because the muscles and skeletal systems are so intertwined, success comes from treating problems from all angles.

A Community of Collaborators

Dr. Hunt doesn’t limit her collaborative care to just chiropractors. She has historically worked with neurologists, podiatrists, gym trainers, massage therapists, and more. When specialized experts work together, everyone benefits.
“Tuck Chiropractic has been a nice addition to the Bedford community and are definitely patient focused,” says Dr. Hunt. “They are great to work with and open to learning more about physical therapy and what is best for their patient.”
If you’re in pain and not sure who to turn to, Dr. Hunt suggests reaching out to both your chiropractor and physical therapist. We are all here to discuss the best option for you and your needs. Taking an active role in your care can produce better results and prevent issues in the future.

Beyond the ability to reduce pain and heal injuries with non-pharmacological, manual therapies, chiropractic also has a lot of “fringe benefits”. Fringe benefits are additional results of treatment that improve your overall daily life. For example, chiropractic care for children can help reduce colic and ear infections. Adjustments can also help relieve sinus pressure from allergies.
While you wouldn’t normally pair these ailments with chiropractic in your mind, they can be greatly intertwined. Asthma and chiropractic is no different!

How Asthma Works

Roughly 1 in 13 people have asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. That means over 26 million Americans find themselves having difficulty breathing at any given time.
Acute asthma or an asthma attack can be the result of a myriad of triggers from allergies to exercise, to no apparent trigger at all. During the onset of asthma, individuals experience trouble breathing due to inflamed airways. Unfortunately, there is no cure for it and people must often depend on inhalers to help them maintain their breath. However, chiropractic could help reduce the frequency of and impact of attacks.

How Chiropractic Impacts The Respiratory System

In a 2001 pediatric study on the effects of chiropractic on chronic asthma symptoms, patients reported an increase of quality of life by at least 10% and a reduction of severity in asthma symptoms by 39%. Just like any other ailment in the body, asthma is a result of inflammation. We already know that chiropractic helps reduce inflammation throughout the musculoskeletal system, but that impact can also impact other systems in the body.
The connection happens in the nervous system. Breathing is controlled by the brain, so when the brain and nervous system is functioning properly, breathing should come easier. A chiropractic adjustment that realigns the spine and body can reduce the pressure your nervous system is putting on your respiratory system. When those nerves are functioning properly, they are less easily triggered and symptoms are reduced. 
This is just one of the many ways our body systems work together – whether they’re working for you or against you is your choice. Early treatment from youth can have a major impact on your asthma as an adult, but it’s never too late for you to start going! See if one of our doctors can help you feel better and live better!

Daily exercising is essential to a healthy lifestyle. You might hear the term “low impact” exercise and assume that it’s a slow, not effective workout. However, low impact exercises are perfect for those who have stiff or sore joints, are recovering from an injury, or those who just want to switch up their current routine! Here are some of the best low impact, but still effective, exercises you can try today.

Swimming

Swimming is fun, relaxing, and good for your body! Because our bodies are buoyant, water in the pool puts virtually zero pressure on our joints. Speaking of joints, swimming in a heated pool can actually offer pain relief for those of use experiencing stiffness or joint pain. The resistance in the water targets your muscles and holding your breath is a great lung workout.

Elliptical Trainer

The elliptical versus the treadmill is often debated. Most runners wouldn’t consider substituting a run on the treadmill for a 20 minute elliptical workout. But, if you’re looking for a low impact way to keep your whole body moving, the elliptical might be for you! The motion of the elliptical mimics the natural foot path of how you run, walk, or jog. This motion helps prevent strain on your joints, but still allows you to get a great cardio workout.

Light Walking

Walking is an extra convenient low impact workout because, it can be done literally anywhere! If you are able to get up and walk 10 minutes in either direction, you are able to have a quick and beneficial workout. Walking is very low impact so adding some hand (or ankle) weights and seeking out some hills is a great way to pump up your workout. If you find that your joints are still hurting after a walk, try avoiding concrete or asphalt and opt for a wooded or grassy trail.

Barre

Former dancers will rejoice! Barre classes are centered around ballet positions and is targeted to increase muscle stamina and core strength. But don’t worry, you don’t need and prior dance experience to attend a class. Barre is named after, surprise, the wooden are that is anchors a wall found in ballet studios. Classes are done barefoot and usually do not involve any weights. Instead of large and intense movements (think squats) found in other strength classes, barre uses very small increments called  isometric movements. These movements are often gentle on joints and don’t require a ton of equipment, making barre a pretty intense low impact workout.
Now that you’ve gotten the run down on low impact workouts, it’s time to give it a try! You can start with whatever is most convenient for you, then slowly start integrating these joint friendly workouts into your weekly workout schedule. 
It’s always a smart idea to check in with your chiropractor before making any extreme changes in your workout plan. Consult with one of our doctors today!

Donna Carter was born and raised in Bedford County and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She has been in the Bedford Clinic for fifteen years. She loves that she gets to give back to her hometown that she loves so much.
When asked about her favorite part about working in Bedford,  Donna says it’s the fact that she gets to work close to home and be a part of the wonderful community that makes up Bedford.
“I know so many people personally because it’s a tight knit community. I’ve lived here my whole life and it’s so great,” she adds.
Donna’s perfect day at work is centered around one thing, her patients.
“My perfect day would be being busy all day long, working with happy patients, and watching them get better and better with each visit,” says Donna.
This is an ideology that Donna shares with the overall mission of Tuck Clinic. Patient centered care is a goal that can be found at every Tuck clinic and with every staff member and doctor.
Donna’s job never really stops. Even when she is out and about in her beloved community, she often receives questions from friends and family about their various pains.
“I know so many people in the Bedford community and I’m consistently asked questions by those in pain wondering if we can help them. I urge them to come on in and have a consultation. We will do everything we can to help people get better. And If we can’t help you, we will get you to a place that can,” she says.
If you are in the Bedford area, Donna would love to help you on your path to a healthy, pain free life. Contact our Bedford clinic here, or find the closest Tuck Clinic near you!

If you’re a country music lover, you may have recently heard some people talking to 94.9 Star Country’s Brett Sharpe about chiropractic and Tuck Chiropractic Clinic, in particular. We’re working with Star Country Radio to bring real life stories of our patients to listeners in our area.
Hear Amy’s story about how Dr. “Too Tall” Skinner helped her work through an injury from an icy slip and fall accident:

While Tuck Chiropractic does not require you to have a PCP referral to become a patient, we realize that the security in knowing your everyday doctor approves of your decision is reassuring.

In a world with an endless array of medical specialties, your primary care physician (PCP) typically serves as your go-to resource for your general health and wellness based on along and trusting relationship. You may frequently pass up the opportunity to see a specialist based on the familiar relationship you already hold with your PCP. In fact, studies show that 10-15% of all visits to a PCP are for musculoskeletal problems. In this case, it could be beneficial to seek out a professional that has a more focused area of practice.
If you’re feeling apprehensive about finding the right doctor in the right discipline for your particular needs, the best thing you can do is ask your primary care provider. Your doctor is familiar with your health history and knows any special nuances another a specialist may need to be aware of. This is the perfect opportunity to get a referral! It’s likely that your doctor already has a rolodex of go-to healthcare professionals in a variety of disciplines that they use to refer their patients to. All you have to do is start the conversation.

Recognize When You Need Alternative Care

Let’s imagine that you recently injured your back while doing yard work around the house. While you may be no stranger to managing acute back pain, this instance is significantly worse than previous problems. Instead of visiting your doctor to get a prescription for a stronger pain medication, you could discuss alternatives with your doctor.
The doctors at Tuck Chiropractic Clinics have worked hard to reach out to doctors across disciplines to build collaborative relationships to provide the best care possible to patients across the board. We believe your doctor will have your best interest at heart and should know exactly what kind of specialist can help you.

Be Honest About Your Needs

We recently discussed how important it is to be honest with your chiropractor about your level of pain and your lifestyle. That rings true for this situation, too. If you’re looking to make a change in the way you approach your healthcare and wellness, you have to be open and honest with your doctor about it. Make sure you are clear about the pain you are experiencing and that you are seeking new ways to manage that pain. While most people assume chiropractors can only treat your back pain, we can ultimately treat any issue involving the musculoskeletal system with chiropractic adjustments alone, or by working alongside other specialists.

Ask For Options

At the end of the day, you should have the power to make your own decisions about your healthcare. While doctors can be a great part of the vetting process, it’s also important to due your own due diligence before making your choice. If you need some guidelines on what to look for in a chiropractor, the American Chiropractic Association has provided a list of best practices for choosing wisely. If you have any questions about our style of care, feel free to call any of our offices! We’re here to help.

 
Another year, another incredible conference hosted by the American Chiropractic Association!
Each year, we look forward to the annual National Chiropractic Leadership Conference, where we have the opportunity to honor our fellow chiropractors for their excellence, advocate on behalf of patients on Capitol Hill, exchange industry best practices, and inspire the next generation of leaders. 2019 was no different! While there was a lot going on during the four-day conference, there were a few moments that really stood out for us.

Dr. Tuck Concluded His Presidency With Honors

This year was extra special. Dr. Tuck concluded his tenure as President as the American Chiropractic Association, but not without putting a seal on the impact he made as a leader for the organization. Throughout the year, Dr. Tuck worked to create a refreshed and vibrant ACA culture, assisted in restructuring the Governance of ACA, and contributed to the advancement of chiropractors across the nation.
As incoming President Robert Jones, DC put it, “[Dr. Tuck] has lead ACA through monumental changes which have set us on a path of financial stability and a true leadership role within the healthcare profession..He is a stalwart champion of chiropractic and ACA.”
To drive this sentiment home, Dr. Tuck was presented with the honor of Chiropractor of the Year.

Presenting on Measuring Success in a Patient-Centered Office

Our own Dr. Tuck, Dr. LaBarbera, and Dr. Matthis had the opportunity to share their expertise in building a successful care system centered around the needs of the individual patient. Our patient-centered care practices have bred a culture of continuous improvement, where both the doctor and the patient work together to track and continue to work for improvement of lifestyle and mobility. By using open communication and being diligent with data collection, we are able to measure our success and continue that track of improvement.

Seeing the Faces of the Future

We see the value in embracing the new insights and fresh take that young chiropractors bring to the table, a driving factor for our professional outreach and preceptorship programs. It’s how we are able to continue to grow as doctors. Another valuable part of this conference is the chance for us to network face to face with the future of chiropractic care.
The bright students of chiropractic colleges across the country come to NCLC to further their knowledge of the industry and connect with clinics that seek to enrich their education with hands on experience. By forging connections with future professionals, we grow a support network that helps us grow as an individual clinic and as a whole industry. We took the opportunity to get out and get to know the students whenever possible.
All in all, it was yet another successful year at ACA’s Annual NCLC. We look forward to seeing how far we’ve come next year at ACA Engage – the new name for the National Chiropractic Leadership Conference!

From texting a friend that you’re stuck in traffic, when you really just left the house, to telling your mother that you love the oversized hand-me-down sweatshirt she gifted you, we all have our reasons for smudging the truth or withholding concerns. Being honest with our healthcare providers is no exception. While we may think that we are saving ourselves shame or embarrassment, it may be at the cost of our health.
We have built in best practices to record and review progress at every level of care with various questionairres to make sure we are hitting our patients’ personal goals. Here is why it is so very important to be truthful to your chiropractor and ways to make it happen.

Time Spent Focusing on the Wrong Areas

A doctor’s ability to treat your pain is limited to the information that you provide. This sounds obvious, but if you do not let your chiropractor know that an area of your body is in pain, they will never know that you are experiencing said pain. Sometimes patients don’t deliberately withhold information from their chiropractors, but they minimize their pain or rationalize why they are feeling it.
For example, let’s say you usually visit your chiropractor for shoulder pain. One day you come into your appointment after spending more time than usual in the garden one weekend. You may write off your knee pain the next day as a consequence of more time than usual bent down. Even though you consider this to not be a huge red flag, your chiropractor might have a different opinion. But if you only focus on your shoulder pain, you are not taking the appropriate steps to prevent and treat your knee pain. Just remember, your body is sending you signals for a reason. Without your vocalizing these signals to your chiropractor, they may be looked over completely.

Be Honest About Your Bad Habits

None of us like to admit our faults. Especially the habits that have negative effects on our health. No matter how embarrassed you may be, it is so important to be upfront about your habits to your chiropractor. Your chiropractor’s job is not to shame you or tell you what you’re doing wrong. As a healthcare professional, their job is to help you live a healthier lifestyle. This means they need to know how to get you on the healthiest path. In order to do that, they must know your not-so-healthy habits so they can work together with you to improve and overcome them!

How to Communicate Your Pain

Now that we’ve covered the importance of being honest with your chiropractor, we want to offer easy steps to make it happen. Everything is easier said than done, so here are some ways to make being truthful with your chiropractor easier:
Write down a list of questions and concerns before your appointment. We can sometimes forget to bring up something that was bothering us over the weekend or between visits. This also helps with those who struggle to talk openly about themselves.
Consider bringing a close friend or family member with you. If you are the type that needs a support system to feel comfortable, bring a friend! They can even help you remember concerns you forgot about.
Get access your medical records. This can help your chiropractor be aware of any health issues you’ve had in the past that could resurface or be the source of a current concern.
It’s so very important to be honest with those who only want the best for your health. We know it can be challenging to be completely transparent, but remember that we are here to help you. The more information you provide you chiropractor with, the better your results will be.