In Virginia, the Department of Health is predicting that over 1,000 people died from opioid overdose in 2016, a 33 percent jump from the previous year. Just four months ago, the state’s health commissioner, Dr. Marissa J. Levine, had declared Virginia’s opioid addiction and overdose crisis a public health emergency. As a result, emergency provisions were put in place to deal with the epidemic in the state.
And the situation is just as severe in North Carolina, where the state’s Department of Health and Human Services labeled opioid addiction its “number one public health crisis.” A third of all prescriptions in the state are being abused, and there are twice as many deaths per year from overdose than murders. These startling numbers resulted in Gov. Pat McCrory signing a bill making the drug naloxone, which blocks or reverses the effects of opioids, available to anyone who needs it.
Pain is a pervasive problem — an article in the New England Journal of Medicine states that 30 percent of Americans suffer from acute or chronic pain, and the figure is even higher among older Americans. It goes on to say:

The urgency of patients’ needs, the demonstrated effectiveness of opioid[s] for the management of acute pain, and the limited therapeutic alternatives for chronic pain have combined to produce an overreliance on opioid medications in the United States, with associated alarming increases in diversion, overdose, and addiction.

Here at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic, we believe that a patient-centered approach, one that starts with the most conservative pain treatment possible, holds great potential for preventing an over reliance on pain medication.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) backs up this approach. According to opioid prescription guidelines released in March 2016:

• Non-opioid care is favored for chronic pain, except when it’s related to cancer, palliative, and end-of-life cases.
• When opioids are indicated, the lowest dose possible should be prescribed.
• Providers should use extreme caution when prescribing opioids and should monitor patients very carefully.

Conservative Care: A First Line of Defense Against Pain

According to many state and national health regulatory boards and organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), conservative care is an important first line of defense against pain and, in some instances, is effective in reducing or eliminating a patient’s reliance on over-the-counter and prescription painkillers.
Options for pain management run a wide gamut, from ice packs and exercise, to chiropractic manipulation,  physical therapy, massage therapy, and non-opioid medications, all the way to the prescription of opioids and even surgery.
Patients often rely on social connections to help them locate a trusted provider. When they’re suffering from severe pain, their first impulse may be to turn to a trusted physician — or to immediately seek out a prescription for a strong painkiller. Conservative  care, as mentioned above, may not even be on the radar. Often times, people may feel a certain anxiety about trying something new and different like chiropractic care.
At Tuck Chiropractic Clinic, we’re striving to change this. We believe pain treatment should be patient-centered and should begin with the least invasive options available.  We support conservative care measures as outlined by the CDC and chiropractic is one of those conservative care options. We also feel strongly that chiropractic is a great conservative care option to consider before trying opioids, which in addition to their potential for addiction, can over time be harmful to the liver, kidneys, and stomach lining.

How Can Chiropractic Care Relieve Pain?

When a patient comes to us seeking relief from pain, we typically recommend beginning with an ice pack on and off for 20 minutes at a time. If the pain isn’t resolved in the first 48-72 hours, the next logical step is to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced chiropractors. Although medication may sometimes be necessary, we try a range of conservative options before recommending a prescription.
Patients who are currently taking opioid pain medications should consider chiropractic care in conjunction with other therapies, particularly as a way to deal with severe pain. We often collaborate with family doctors and pain management specialists to break the cycle of pain.
In addition to using spinal manipulation and exercise to resolve physical problems causing pain, a chiropractor can recommend an ergonomic approach to work, and stress-relieving techniques to make pain easier to live with.
Our main goal at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic is to stop the stimulus of pain. We believe the best way to deal with pain medication addiction is to stop it before it starts.
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Chiropractic is an integral part of medical treatment in the NFL. The most common issue NFL chiropractors treat is lower back pain.

The New York Giants’ team chiropractor, Dr. Robert DeStefano, D.C., describes health care in the NFL as a coordinated team, comprised of many types of medical professionals: orthopedists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and more. A survey of NFL chiropractors found that before chiropractic treatment was common in the NFL, players generally sought chiropractors on their own or were referred to one by an athletic trainer. After treating one player, many others were quickly referred to see them.
Dr. Michael Miller, D.C., of the New England Patriots claims he became the first official team chiropractor in the NFL when he began treating Patriots players 30 years ago. When chiropractic treatment started becoming popular, chiropractors often met players in hotel rooms or parking lots to provide adjustments. Now they typically share the training room with other medical professionals who treat the team, or provide adjustments in the locker room.
Almost half of team chiropractors travel with their teams to away games, according to the Professional Football Chiropractic Society.

Common NFL Injuries

NFL players can suffer numerous injuries throughout their careers in practice, games, and even during off-season training. The NFL reported more than 4,000 injuries in 2011. Injuries can vary widely and are often related to a player’s position. Injuries commonly occur in the upper body, such as the neck and shoulder, as well as in the extremities, such as the lower leg, knee, ankle, and foot.
Another common and serious type of injury affecting NFL players are concussions. For many years the NFL denied the possibility of long-term health problems associated with repeated blows to the head. But in 2014 the NFL acknowledged the dangers of multiple concussions and estimated that brain injuries will affect as many as one in three retired players.
Brain injuries can cause players to develop neurological disorders such as dementia at higher rates. Due to these findings, the NFL has taken significant steps to cut down on traumatic brain injuries, including penalizing, fining, and even suspending players for certain types of hits to the head. The NFL has also developed elaborate sideline protocols to diagnose concussions during games. As a result, the number of NFL player concussions fell by 13 percent between 2012 and 2013. But due to the physical nature of the sport, concussions are an unavoidable injury for many NFL players.

What Do Chiropractors Treat NFL Players For?

NFL chiropractors spend a lot of time keeping their players in shape, giving an average of 30 to 50 treatments per week.
According to the 2002 survey of NFL chiropractors, the most common injury NFL chiropractors treat is lower back pain. They also frequently treat players for “burners” and “stingers,” nerve pain commonly associated with contact sports. They typically occur as a result of injury to the nerve supply of the upper arm, usually blows to the neck or shoulder. Untreated, these injuries can cause pain that radiates from the shoulder to the hand.
Other acute injuries treated by NFL chiropractors include muscle strains, whiplash, and neck pain.
Players can also develop chronic conditions such as carpal tunnel misalignment and temperomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. These conditions, like acute injuries, can seriously inhibit a player’s ability to take the field. Chiropractic realignment can relieve pain from these chronic injuries, while preventing them from getting worse.

Treatment for Concussions

NFL players may also seek chiropractic care for headaches, which are often a secondary complaint after a concussion.
Several case studies show that chiropractic treatment can assist with improvement in a wide range of post-concussion disorders. Some of those disorders include attention deficit, dizziness, visual dysfunction, delayed reaction, depression and trouble sleeping.
Chiropractors are often among several health professionals treating players after a game, and therefore have the opportunity to observe players for post-concussion signs and symptoms, such as dull headaches, fatigue, irritability, tinnitus, and anxiety, among other complaints. Catching these signs early is vital, since an untreated concussion can cause brain injury that leads to seizures and even death.

Chiropractic Care and Injury Prevention

Early in an NFL player’s career, injuries can mean the difference between years of playing professional football or just one short season. According to statistics website Statista.com, the average NFL career lasts just over three years, which means many players are racing the clock.
Throughout NFL history, players have been given numbing agents to “play through the pain.” This temporary relief for sports injuries can cause further damage and hinder healing. Understanding of pain has developed past this short-term strategy to deal with injuries, and chiropractors provide a valuable part of the solution.
In a news conference preceding the 2013 Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said preventing head injuries is his first priority moving forward with the league. “I’ll do anything that’s going to make the game safer and better,” he said.
As the NFL seeks to ensure the health of players, chiropractic care will continue to play an important role in injury rehabilitation and performance.
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Our wellness blog gives us the opportunity to regularly connect with patients, friends, and followers alike. We love sharing a wide variety of health and wellness information and also success stories from our patients. For our team, 2016 was an amazing year. As we celebrate welcoming a new year full of new possibilities we felt it was only fitting to reflect on the blog articles that were “the best” as determined by you, our audience! We have compiled data on which articles were the most read—and here you have it!

1. Supporting Those who Serve our Community Getting to work with incredible patients like Greg reminds us of the value of serving others before self and focusing on leaving a positive impact on those around us!
2. Dr. Ray Tuck’s Story No matter how well you know Dr. Tuck we thought you might enjoy a deeper look at who is and what he is all about.
3. Dr. Matthis: Why Chiropractic The answer to “why chiropractic?” for Matthis is a powerful, compelling, and personal story. It speaks volumes about the ability of chiropractic to leave a positive impact on lives—both patients and doctors alike.
4. Jennifer’s Story: Chiropractic and Migraines Jennifer knows her health can’t be isolated to just dealing with headaches, just exercise, or just a healthy diet. It is when chiropractic care is aligned with all other aspects of health that the most positive impact is felt.
5. Lessons in Wellness from a Lifetime Athlete We spoke with a local lifetime athlete who has spent her career encouraging current and developing athletes—we knew there was a lot we could learn from her.
6. 5 Tips for Staying Active at Work If we can’t just quit our jobs to get more active, what can we do during work hours to get moving and improve our physical fitness?
7. 5 Types of Food that Enhance Spinal Health Good nutrition is essential for a healthy metabolism and for tissue growth and repair. Nutrition determines the strength of your teeth, bones, connective tissues, and your spine.
8. If I Go Once, Do I Have to Keep Going? This is one of the most frequently asked questions about chiropractic. In this post, we provide detailed information on this not-so-simple topic.
9. An Open Letter to the Person with Back Pain We see you—your unique story—your unique goals—your unique pain. Now we simply ask, are you ready to come see us?
10. Overcoming Chronic Back Pain: Joyce’s Story Convenient and consistent chiropractic care allows Joyce to work hard, embrace life, and overcome chronic pain.

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Serving others is often accompanied by sacrifice. For those that feel a true calling, the sacrifice is outweighed by their passion for what they do. This can be said of Greg, a local Fireman and EMT, he has been a first responder for 27 years.
Greg began his career as a firefighter working in a volunteer capacity with Bedford Fire Department. He had a full time job with a printing company, working 5 days a week on swing shift. In his free time you could find him at the firehouse, serving the community. He persistently applied to full time positions until he achieved his goal and was hired by Roanoke City Fire and EMS. Greg describes it simply as, “A dream job.”
The sacrifice that accompanies this dream job of being a firefighter is often felt physically in the aches and pains that accumulate over time. Greg explained that the “turn out gear,” or necessary clothing and equipment, weighs about 40 pounds. In addition to that, depending on the nature of the emergency, first responders often carry other heavy equipment such as an ax or hose. All of this weight is a lot to bear, and the cumulative effect of responding to numerous calls on any given day adds up.
Another aspect of being a first responder, which is hard on the spine and joints, is the many weird angles required while moving and lifting. Although Greg knows to always lift from his legs sometimes it is necessary to lift a patient up and onto a stretcher and it isn’t possible to use textbook technique. At other times, quick movements are necessary all while wearing bulky gear. The sum of all the physical wear and tear is a body that just feels worn out.
For this reason, Greg includes chiropractic as part of his monthly wellness routine. He stated, “I don’t wait for them to call, my body tells me when I’m ready.” Without looking at the calendar or checking the date he becomes aware that it is time for an adjustment. Greg said, “I can do my job because the pain is not there.”
Greg also gets chiropractic treatment if he experiences injury. When the tones go off, there is an emergency in progress, and Greg’s adrenaline is pumping there is a higher likelihood of injury occurring. Greg said, “Trying to get there as fast as you can, you have a tendency to do wrong to your body.” Greg recalled one time he hurt his shoulder at work and could barely move. He left work and visited the Peters Creek clinic for treatment; within ten minutes his pain was resolved. Greg has great relationships with multiple doctors at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic and visits the clinic location that is most convenient in that particular situation.
There is something special about people like Greg. Listening to him explain the privilege it is to be a first responder is nothing short of inspiring. He loves how his career choice is both challenging and rewarding. When describing his passion for being a Firefighter and EMT he said, “This is the best job in the world, hands down. You’re not going to get rich but you have the reward of being able to help someone.” He also emphasized that by becoming a first responder he has gained a second family. “There aren’t many jobs that people can say they have family to work with. It’s one of those things people don’t understand unless you actually do it,” explained Greg.
Greg is a great example of living a selfless life, one that often results in personal sacrifice, for the betterment of others. Getting to work with incredible patients like Greg reminds us of the value of serving others before self and focusing on leaving a positive impact on those around us!
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When a migraine hits, getting through life can be near impossible. In addition to being an excruciating headache, migraines are often accompanied by reduced field of vision, dizziness, severe light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Take a moment to imagine having the worst migraine of your life. Now imagine that same migraine is happening while you are standing at the front of a classroom full of 5th graders, trying to teach them. That is where Jennifer found herself time and time again.
For years Jennifer has struggled with debilitating migraines. They would strike and she would end up in bed for an entire day. Over the years she saw various doctors and ended up on medication, in an effort to make it possible to live the life she dreamed of. Jennifer is extremely active. Aside from keeping up with busy 5th graders all day long she also instructs fitness classes and is very involved with her church youth group and YoungLife. She is also a big Bachelor fan and never misses watching an episode with her friends, unless a migraine strikes. She is outgoing and energetic—too busy embracing life to contend with migraines!
This past January Jennifer decided that something had to change; the frequency of her migraines had increased. She explained, “I was trying a preventative medication and I really wanted to go off that medication.” After meeting with multiple doctors, and not feeling like she was ever really heard and understood, she ended up in our Bedford Clinic meeting with Dr. LaBarbera. The collaborative aspect of Jennifer’s appointment with Dr. LaBarbera really stood out to her. She remembered, “When I first came to him and explained the issues I was having, he listened to me and developed a plan.”
Moving forward, Jennifer gets regular weekly adjustments. The results have been phenomenal. Jennifer is no longer on medication and the intensity of her headaches has diminished. She explained, “My headaches are coming less frequently and are not as severe so I am able to deal with them if they do occur. Before chiropractic treatments, a migraine meant a day in bed for me and now I am able to at least function.” For a woman with a busy life—and lots of young people that depend on her—this new normal is a welcome change.
An aspect of our patient care that is especially valuable to Jennifer is our willingness to fit in unexpected appointments—because we know migraines (and pain in general) don’t follow a polite schedule. On one such visit, Jennifer’s husband, Cory, had to drive her. The migraine was in-progress and was too intense for her to safely operate her vehicle. It allowed him the opportunity to get a first-hand look at what the treatments were going to be like, and the person responsible for administering the treatments. Jennifer recalled that appointment:
Dr. A.J. brought my husband in and showed him the x-rays and told him about our plan for treatment. When we left, my husband said, “I feel like he really wants to help you!” That was very different from the many different doctors I have seen regarding my migraines over the last several years.
We especially love how Jennifer has integrated chiropractic adjustments with her overall wellness plan. She has a daily workout, makes eating healthy a regular habit, and gets a weekly adjustment. She understands that her health can’t be isolated to just dealing with headaches, just exercise, or just a healthy diet. It is when chiropractic care is aligned with all other aspects of health that the most positive impact is felt.

As chiropractors, many of the recent changes in the healthcare landscape have impacted how we do things, both from patient care perspective as well as administrative functions. As a company, we have leveraged our resources and worked extremely hard in developing systems that provide exceptional care to our patients matched with great customer service. We are excited to pass along this knowledge and expertise to the up and coming generation of chiropractors and one of the ways we will do this is through a preceptorship program.
This preceptorship program is an opportunity for students in their last year of chiropractic school to gain direct training, instruction, and supervision from a practicing chiropractor. It presents students with an opportunity to enhance their education with priceless experience and mentorship from well respected and experienced doctors of chiropractic. It will not only help them learn how to treat patients more effectively but it will also help them learn what it means to be a practitioner in today’s climate of the medical profession, which is heavily focused on high patient satisfaction, excellent patient outcomes, and care at a great value.
Participating in a preceptorship program has the potential to be one of the most enriching aspects of a student’s education. It allows the information learned within a classroom setting to be put in a real-world context. Additionally, it offers experiences and education that simply can’t be taught from a textbook or within a lecture hall. Working alongside the doctors of Tuck Chiropractic Clinic presents students with opportunities to learn practice management skills including day to day operations, enhanced communication skills, documentation practices, and best practices for the industry.
The program is structured in a week-by-week format, providing clear expectations and ensuring a great variety of experience for the student. For example, a portion of their time will be spent learning about medical billing practices, clinical documentation, and customer service functions. Other weeks will be spent doing clinical rounds, interacting directly with patients, and reviewing patient protocols. All of these experiences will be done alongside a doctor mentor, who will answer questions and guide the student.
The concept of having a tenured mentor, who is still actively practicing in the field, investing time, effort, and energy in a future doctor is very exciting and valuable. On top of being rewarding for the student, it is a very rewarding experience for the doctor in the mentor role. As a company, we are also excited about how we will be energized by the fresh energy and talent of the preceptorship students.
We know that our vision statement of “To Make a Positive Impact on Every Life We Touch” is applicable to our patients and colleagues alike. Our hope is that through this program we will inspire the next generation of chiropractors to be dedicated to nothing but the very best. We want them to graduate and be committed to achieving high patient satisfaction, a great value of care, and ultimately the most positive of patient outcomes.
 
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