It turns out 78% of Americans agree pain management and prevention is key to avoiding addiction.

• The Virginia Department of Health predicted that over 1,000 people died from opioid overdose in 2016, a jump of 33% from 2015.
• A third of prescriptions in the state (of North Carolina) are being abused and there are twice as many deaths per year from overdose than murders.
• Pain is a pervasive problem – 30% of Americans suffer from acute or chronic pain.

While this is a huge problem both locally and nationally, research proves that people prefer alternatives to prescription pain medication. According to Gallup News, 78% of Americans agree pain management and prevention is key to avoiding addiction.
Dr. Ray Tuck recently attended a Gallup Poll event, which was a release of the data concerning Americans’ views on non-opioid treatments. Dr. Tuck made a point to be present this this seminar because of the implications on our patients and community at large.
“The opioid crisis is a terrible scenario that has grown exponentially in our country,” said Dr. Tuck. He added, “I believe in chiropractic care as a way to deal with chronic pain, specifically lower back and neck pain. We, as chiropractic professionals, are looking to help patients deal with, and control, their pain before it gets to a point of needing long term use of an opioid.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines in 2016 to promote non-pharmacologic approaches to pain management, also known as Conservative Care. Chiropractic care is considered to be a highly successful form of conservative care. According to a report from the Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Study of Americans, two thirds of Americans suffered from neck or back pain so severe, they sought a health care provider for treatment.
Back and neck pain are the most common ailments that affect our patients and our specialty is the spine. The Gallup-Palmer study also showed that 54% of those patients had neck and back pain for more than 5 years, showing signs of chronic issues. Yet, 78% said they preferred to try methods other than pain killers to address their physical pain. This is where we come in.
Chiropractic care can help, immensely, and curb the need for prescription pain medication. Due to the changes in guidelines, physicians are now seeking out more drug-free alternatives for pain management such as chiropractic care and physical therapy. This is enlightening patients to the benefits and safer alternatives that conservative care provides. The shift in thinking of physicians to seek out more conservative care rather than immediately writing prescriptions may help reduce the number of opioids prescribed; therefore, lowering the risk of addiction.
We are invested in our community and the fight against opioid addiction. If you are experiencing chronic pain, contact us today to see how we can help.

Fall is known as a time of harvesting. The local Farmer’s Markets are full of delicious fall fruits and vegetables this time of year! If you’ve kept up with our blog, you know we like to emphasize the importance of nutrition and spine health in overall wellness. Let’s “dig-in” to some fruits and veggies that are at their best this time of year AND contain nutrients that will help your spinal health. These key nutrients include: Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Phosphorus and healthy fats.

• Swiss Chard: A delicious, leafy green that is packed with magnesium and calcium. An easy way to enjoy: replace your spinach with Swiss chard in your next omelet.
• Pumpkin Seeds: Not only do pumpkins add delicious flavor to your Pumpkin Spice Latte, but their seeds provide a healthy dose of phosphorus. While carving your jack-o-lantern, make sure to keep those seeds. To roast them: toss seeds with a little olive oil, just enough to coat, then roast for 30-45 minutes in a 350^o Try a variety of seasonings like cinnamon and brown sugar or cayenne pepper for a kick. Yum!
• Mushrooms: This tasty little fungus provides us with some much-needed Vitamin D. There are many varieties of mushrooms that are available in the fall, and many that can be found year-round. Sauté up a few mushrooms in a high heat pan with a little olive oil and add to any dish for added texture.
• Sunflower Kernels: Delicious nutrition packed into a tiny little kernel. Fun fact – the edible part we consume is not a seed at all, it is technically a kernel. Nonetheless, they offer magnesium and healthy fats. They can be eaten just as a snack or used to top off a salad. Sweet or savory, there are many ways to work these into your diet.
• Avocados: Full of healthy fats and no cholesterol, the avocado (also known as the alligator pear) has become popular in recent years because of its mild flavor and ability to add creaminess to dishes. You can replace mayo on your next sandwich with mashed guacamole for a healthy twist. Or just eat avocado toast because that’s the new thing, right?

Are you hungry yet? This is only a small sampling of the delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables available during the autumn season. Take a trip to your local farmer’s market or grocery store and see what new recipes you can come up with.
Remember that a balanced diet, exercise and proper hydration are all key factors in spinal and overall wellness. And, of course, visits to your local Tuck Clinic for your adjustments, pain relief, and more. We have 12 experienced doctors and 9 convenient locations where we provide countless treatment methods to help you live better. Visit one of our locations or send us a message for more information on how we can help you.

By day she is playing with children, working with families, and bettering our local community as an in-home social worker. By night, she is pulling trucks, between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds, at the local gym preparing to compete for a national title. Meet Shanice Hairston.
Shanice recently won a Strong Man Open Division League Competition, hosted in Charlottesville, Virginia. As a result of this major win, she is headed to Las Vegas to compete as a strongwoman in the Strongman Corporation North American National Championships on November 10th and 11th.
An accomplishment this incredible didn’t happen overnight. Shanice has been a lifetime athlete. While attending college at Virginia Tech she was a division one shot put and discus thrower for three years. After college, she was ready to find something else that would satisfy her athletic craving. For a time, she participated in cross fit training but found it to be too demanding on her joints. It was around that time that she became a Tuck Chiropractic patient at our Christiansburg Clinic.
There wasn’t one single thing that caused Shanice to experience debilitating neck and back pain, it was an issue that built up and emerged over time. This is something that is more common than people realize. All the years of different throwing positions and pushing her body to the max physically had gradually caused damage. Shanice recalled, “My head and neck were literally crooked. Once I started going consistently, it fixed itself.”
After moving to Roanoke, someone she knew mentioned power lifting and Shanice’s interest was piqued—her background in throwing created a connection and familiarity that drew her in. Around this same time, Shanice transferred to a more convenient Tuck Clinic location and began seeing Dr. Skinner in our Roanoke Clinic.
Are you wondering why someone would find competing in a Strongman competition enjoyable? Shanice really appreciates the functional aspects of Strong Man style workouts. This means that rather than only striving to lift heavy weights, she must also match heavy weights with movement.
Picture this situation described by Shanice:
There is a lead that goes from your back to the front of the truck. You put on a harness and the harness goes around your chest. You have to get low like a lineman—you have to lean your body weight into it as if you are trying to dive into the ground. Once the truck gets rolling you need to have quick feet and drive your knees up to pull it. We had to pull it 50 feet. It was a slight downhill followed by an uphill. There is also a car at the other end attached to a rope, so you can pull with your arms too. Everything is hurting–your arms and your legs. It’s hard to breath under that amount of load.
With such a grueling competition, Shanice knows it is critical she stays on top of her overall wellness. Her advice for anyone, regardless of his or her level of athleticism, is straight to the point:
I think people overcomplicate the staying well piece. Good sleep goes a good way. Letting your body rest and recover. Definitely making sure I’m eating right and taking supplements if I need it. I see Dr. Skinner regularly—before and after competitions.
When asked about what it feels like to be such an accomplished athlete, Shanice can’t help but reflect on those who have supported her and encouraged her forward. She said, “The strength in this community is like a family. I couldn’t do it without them motivating me.” Shanice also shared that Dr. Skinner is a huge supporter, beyond the physical relief and treatment he provides. She said, “For me, it is having an extra support as far as physically helping my body stay well. Mentally and emotionally he checks in too.”
We are honored that Dr. Skinner and the staff at our Roanoke Clinic are able to serve Shanice and help her optimize her physical condition for training and competition. We are thankful to be part of the team backing her, cheering her on, and supporting her as she competes nationally.
Be part of her journey as she trains for the national championships by following her on Instagram @thenames_shina and Shanice Hairston on Facebook.

We’ve asked our doctors for advice on how to get the most out of chiropractic care.

1. Come in With an Open Mind. This may be your first appointment, or you may be a seasoned patient. Nonetheless, come to your appointment with an open mind. Dr. Tiffany Grace Huffman from our Rocky Mount Clinic shared, “My best advice to new and prospective patients is to come with an open mind. Chiropractic care can treat a lot of conditions without invasive measures. Most patients present to us with pain in some area of their body. By allowing the nervous and musculoskeletal systems to function optimally, pain levels are reduced and function is restored.”

2. Be Clear About Your Issue and Goals. Be specific with the doctor as to where your pain is and what you ultimately want out of your treatment. Honesty and open communication are the foundations of trust between you and your doctor. A.J. LaBarbera of our Botetourt Clinic suggested, “When you consult initially with a chiropractor, or any physician or healthcare provider for that matter, make sure that they are listening intently to what your issue is and what your goals are. Also make sure when you are presented with a treatment plan, that they have your goals in mind and are accomplishing those goals with a care plan that doesn’t have any add-ons, gimmicks, or additional costs.”

3. Be Patient. Healing the body is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time. Dr. Lee Matthis of our Christiansburg Clinic emphasized, “A majority of our patients come in with a “repetitive use” injury. What this means is even if symptoms show up unexpectedly; they have often been building up for a longer while. As bad as we would like to have symptoms disappear as fast as they show up, the body doesn’t heal quite that fast. We usually see good relief within a few weeks of the onset of care.” Dr. Jeremy Keene from our Cave Spring Clinic echoed these sentiments “Do not get discouraged if results aren’t happening overnight as it is a process to correct most spinal conditions. If you follow through with your doctor’s recommendations, then positive results will occur and your goals will be met.” Dr. Tiffany Grace Huffman stressed, “Be patient! In most cases you didn’t get in this shape overnight, so it may take some time to fix the underlying cause of the problem.”

4. Follow the Doctor’s Recommendations. This one should be a no-brainer, but just a friendly reminder to always follow doctor’s recommendations for you; they are here to help you feel better so you can live better. Dr. Anna Occhiuzzi-Flynn from our Botetourt Clinic explained, “Follow your doctor’s recommendations. If you cancel your appointment due to feeling better or just due to things coming up in life, you will not have the foundation that your doctor has set for you. Most of the time, these problems have been there a long time, and they take time to stabilize. When your chiropractor gets you to a point of maintenance care, it is very important to stay on that maintenance schedule. We have found that the patients that stay on maintenance care are healthier and their spine is healthier.” Dr. Jennifer Rathmann of our Blacksburg Clinic added, “To make the most of your chiropractic care, ice or heat as instructed by your chiropractor at home. Keeping the inflammation down or the muscles relaxed can really aid in the healing process. Also, stretch and exercise as instructed. More is not necessarily better. Listen to your chiropractor’s recommendations as far as frequency of care.”

5. Stay Active After Your Treatments. A body in motion stays in motion. Take a walk or a bike ride. You will typically feel less pain after each treatment, so enjoy the increased abilities you will have. Dr. Jeremy Keene shared, “We want you to stay active after your treatments. A chiropractic adjustment creates mobility in the joints of the spine and activity helps facilitate more mobility within the spine, which in return will help decrease pain.”

6. Be Positive. Positivity has a dramatic effect on the outcome of treatment. According to a study from Rosalind Franklin University, people who spoke, or thought, positive things about their treatment or condition experienced a cognitive shift that transformed some of their behaviors. The positive affirmations allowed for those participants to have significantly lower levels of negative outcomes then those who thought negatively. Sean Skinner, of our Roanoke Clinic stated, “Most of the people we see on a daily basis are dealing with a significant amount of pain levels, so it can be hard to be positive. The patients that seem to get the best results are the ones that have a positive, optimistic outlook on their treatment. We try really hard to let the patient know that we will do everything we can for them. As long as they are confident in that and can stay positive, we will get them moving in the right direction.”

We are here to help you. Call us, or visit us at one of our convenient locations, to see how we can put together a customized treatment plan for you so you can embrace life and live pain-free! Feel Better. Live Better.

Kid-sized rubber is flying up on three wheels around the corner. Blades of autumn grass are slicing underneath the wobbly course of the red joy mobile. Water is dancing through the creek in a shining, crystal background. This is going to be perfect. A squealing three-year-old at the wagon’s helm is bounding into focus. Just have to crouch down a little more. There, that’s it. Joy is about to be forever captured in a matter of “One, two, three, CHEESE!” Nailed it.
This is what it’s like for Kristina Rose to live out her dreams. Her idea of success: a child in one hand, a camera in the other, and a smile on her face. Today, with three kids and a photography business eight years in the making, that’s exactly what she has. But it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, just a few years ago, it seemed woefully out of reach.
One morning, Kristina realized she couldn’t move. The pain was searing. Her back seemed locked. Her feet were swollen beyond recognition. It’s a familiar place for many women navigating the joys and trials of pregnancy. For Kristina, it begged the question: If she couldn’t even get off the ground, how could her vision for a happy life get off the ground?
Beep, beep, beep. She dialed in the numbers to begin a desperate phone call, accompanied by uncertain expectations, to our Christiansburg clinic. Kristina detailed her plight of pregnancy paired with pain and a lack of mobility. She left her contact information, then hung up. She figured she would have to wait her turn for relief – weeks, maybe even months.
Then, almost immediately, on a Sunday morning, her iPhone ringtone shattered the silence. Much-needed hope came in the form of Doctor Lee Matthis’ voice, returning her call from our Christiansburg clinic. His concern for her condition was not constrained by business hours, and neither was his take-charge spirit when it came to making sure she had a convenient and quick appointment.  “Can you come in tomorrow?” he asked.
Kristina was now floored emotionally, not just physically. Dr.Matthis called her back on a weekend, and got her in the next day.  “I was blown away, because that just doesn’t happen,” Kristina recalled.  
As if that wasn’t unique enough, her experience at our Christiansburg clinic made her jaw drop even farther. She had received compassionate, effective care at other places in the past. She had also, on occasion, been treated quickly. But never both at once. The simplicity, convenience, and compassion was life-changing and opened up new possibilities for what it could mean to live pain free.  Kristina said, “I like that it was quick. I got the service I needed, and I felt better.”
Just like that, Kristina was hooked and has been a consistent Tuck Chiropractic patient ever since. We were honored to be part of her second and third pregnancies, which meant the crippling swelling that accompanied her first pregnancy was not a reality she had to relive with her other pregnancies. Kristina said, “My OB was so surprized. Even my deliveries were better.”
These days, Kristina is living her version of the American dream. Whether it be kneeling to get that perfect shot, or hoisting a curious child on her shoulders, she still calls Dr. Matthis the moment any stiffness or soreness creeps in on the rhythm of her busy life. But it’s not one-sided. Every year on her birthday, she hears from her Tuck team. It’s that care, in every sense of the word, which keeps her coming back.  “Somebody went out of their way to do something extra. I was valued.”

Life is full of opposites. Up or down. Left or right. Happy or sad. There are some things in life that simply should not be polarized or seen as mutually exclusive—chiropractic is one such example. In error, chiropractic is often seen as a direction of care that excludes other medical disciplines. Specifically, it is treated as if you much choose between chiropractic exclusively or not choose it at all—that is a faulty mentality. At Tuck Chiropractic Clinic we know that chiropractic does not have to be a hero or a zero when it comes to an individual’s care plan.
Chiropractic can serve in a complementary or alternative role within a healthcare plan.  Although it is best to avoid surgical procedures and choose a conservative care approach, there are times that surgery unavoidable and required for health or quality of life reasons. Patients who have had surgery should not feel that they have somehow opted out of chiropractic care by choosing or requiring surgery. In fact, chiropractic can be a helpful compliment to someone recovering from a procedure.
As the American Chiropractic Association shared on their website it is helpful for those within various medical disciplines too, “move past our differences toward a multidisciplinary cooperation and collaboration, we all stand to benefit.”
While this sounds great in theory, what can it look like in practice? Let’s take a look at a specific case, to bring these ideas of multidisciplinary cooperation to life within the context of kids and ear infections. Is very common for children under the age of 5 to suffer from acute infection of the middle ear, the medical term is “otitis media”. Common treatments include antibiotics and ear tubes placed during a surgical procedure.  
The conservative care approach for chronic ear infections in children is to first use chiropractic treatment in hopes of promoting drainage within the ears (the eustachian tubes) and thus avoiding antibiotics and surgery. While this is a great first approach and something we always recommend, we know that there are still times where ear infections do persist and tubes are indicated. In this case, chiropractic does not need to become a “zero”. Even after ear tubes have been placed chiropractic should be used to promote optimal drainage in the child’s ears.
The reality is, a health care provider is not the one living the life of the patient. It requires an empathetic approach to offer wisdom, expertise, and best practices for care but ultimately acknowledging the patient as the final decision maker about care. It takes teamwork and it takes collaboration to create a custom treatment plan that will best serve the needs of the patient.
Our doctors collaborate with each other, as well as additional physicians you may be seeing; we call this collective power. We know that you receive the best treatment when healthcare providers bring their experience together for your benefit. We know that when we stop positioning chiropractic in opposition to other medical disciplines and allow them to work cooperatively, great things are achieved for our patients—the maximum positive impact is felt.

Have you ever experienced an ache or pain that seems to have appeared out of the blue? While you might feel your pain popped up out of nowhere, this isn’t always the case. The reality may be that the issue you are “suddenly” experiencing isn’t sudden at all. Rather, it is an issue that has been around and has finally decided to rear its head.
You see, the body is resilient and has the incredible ability of compensating for minor bumps and bruises, allowing it to continue functioning as optimally as possible. However, over time these bumps and bruises can add up; and the body begins to adapt less and less and the injuries are expressed as pain. This process can take days, month, years, or decades to lead to pain that prompts a person to visit their doctor.
Additionally, the healing time for persistent problems is often proportionate to the amount of time the injury has been present, and increases if the problems have been ignored after its initial occurrence.  For these reasons, our team at Tuck Chiropractic suggests treatment specifically designed for individual patients and their needs, with the attempt to get rid of not only the painful symptoms that brought them to our office, but the root cause of those symptoms as well.
One patient success story that demonstrates the importance of proper care is that of Charity – an 11-year-old girl who suffered from hip problems dating back to when she was an infant. No doctor could pinpoint the cause, until Charity’s mom called our office. Dr. Matthis was able to relieve Charity of her pain. Initially, Charity visited our office three times a week for the first two weeks, then two times a week, and finally she was able to go a full month in between adjustments. What took years to develop required time and persistence to resolve.
In this instance, Dr. Matthis explained how injuries are similar to a vehicle hitting a pothole. At first, everything with your vehicle seems fine as you continue on down the road. However, problems may arise and emerge the longer and further you drive.
We all know how important it is to take care of your body. However, it’s just as important to listen to your body. If your back is aching or you have been suffering from neck pain your body is trying to tell you something is out of whack. Rather than waiting until the pain is unbearable, consider contacting your chiropractor. Chiropractic care utilizes a variety of different methods to ensure optimal patient outcomes and long-term solutions.
A few common reasons people come see our team is if they are suffering from back pain, headaches, stress or arthritis. Getting patients back to their normal quality of life and living pain-free is our ultimate goal, and we find patients who commit to the necessary care overcome long-term wear and tear that has caused problems. However – this won’t happen overnight. Our team typically recommends a treatment plan to ensure the issue is resolved, rather than a quick-fix solution that acts as a Band-Aid.
Are you suffering from pain? Do you want to get back your quality of life? If you answered yes to either of those questions, we encourage you to make an appointment today at one of our 10 locations across the New River Valley. Our team is dedicated to helping you feel better and live well. 

Parking further away at the store, using the stairs, or getting a gym membership…We’ve all heard the common fitness tips. Unfortunately, simply buying a gym membership or parking farther away at the store once a week doesn’t mean your physical activity is truly improving. Evidence by the American Heart Association tells us that becoming more active can lower your blood pressure, enhance your immune system, decrease the risk of disease, and build overall strength. Our team at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic understand that becoming active doesn’t happen overnight, it takes small, cumulative steps. With a priority in overall wellness, Tuck Chiropractic Clinic has created a list of five small ways for you to become more active:

• Put An Extra Pep In Your Step. We see it all the time: the neighbor walking the dog, parents walking with children on bicycles, or older gentlemen going for an evening walk. Walking is something we do daily, so why not add a scheduled walk in your daily routine? Just as we have a morning coffee or water the flowers, create a set time to go on a walk. Frequent walking better influences healthy triglyceride levels, as compared to a single vigorous workout paired with excessive sitting the remainder of the day. Spread out the activity across your day, in bite-sized pieces that will add up to wellness success.

• Dance It Out. For some, typical exercise classes or hitting the gym just doesn’t sound that fun and as a result, they don’t do it. There are a number of fun-focused options, many of which incorporate dancing, which adds an upbeat aspect to strength training and aerobic exercise. Working out doesn’t feel like “work” when you are able to thoroughly enjoy the experience. In addition to the excessive amount of fun you’ll have, these classes often offer low-impact options, creating less impact on joints and the back.

• Keep It Simple. Increased activity doesn’t have to come from expensive equipment or memberships, it can be as simple as a yoga ball or stretching band. Just recently, our doctors reviewed the Fit & Me Balance Board, an inexpensive, portable tool that uses balance to strengthen your core and back. Many times accessibility keeps us from exercising or keeping active. Keep small exercise tools on hand, for on-the-go activity that can make the most out of short breaks in your day!

• Be Part Of A Team. Whether you’re very active or less active, certain exercises can be intimidating. Group exercise, whether it is a class at the gym or a pickup game at the local park, have a track record of benefits. Often, those seeking to become more active are fearful of trying something new on their own. Group exercises provide a support system and an accountability system for those times where you’ve lost your motivation and are ready to throw in the towel.

• Don’t Overdo It.  If you have previously suffered from an injury or are unsure if a certain exercise set is right for you, always check with a medical professional. Make sure your body is functioning at full capacity before adding on additional activity. As Dr. Jen Rathmann states, “You function at 100% when all parts or systems of your body are working at 100%. When you function as close to 100% as possible that is when you feel great and in turn you live great!”

Live better, feel better. Use these five small steps to become more active and discover the difference it can make. If you’re unsure of your ability or the best starting place for your unique health circumstances, contact our team at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic to see what you can do, today!