In exciting news, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) recently re-elected Dr. Ray Tuck as chairman and governor of its Board of Governors (BOG). The re-election occurred in March during ACA’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Tuck has been a member of ACA leadership since 2007. He was elected to the ACA BOG in 2013 as the District 3 Governor of the Board and was elected to serve as Chairman of the Board in 2016. In addition his role on the Board, he is a member of the Investment Committee and the Council on Pediatrics.
The American Chiropractic Association is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients.
We are thankful for Dr. Tuck’s leadership with the ACA. We know this leadership position is a reflection of his dedication to advancing the profession of chiropractic and providing patients with the very best in healthcare.
Over the course of Dr. Tuck’s career he has served on numerous boards to include the Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Club and the American Red Cross Board – where he served as chairman for three years. He is currently a member of the Christiansburg Moose Club, Pulaski Elks, Hokie Club and Blacksburg Sports Club.

We were recently honored to learn one of our very own was nominated for a regional leadership award though the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Jen Rathmann, who serves in our Blacksburg Clinic, was nominated for the award of Accomplished Business Woman of the Year. While Dr. Rathmann would be the last person to make a big deal of such recognition, we know how important it is to celebrate the incredible leader that she is.
Dr. Rathmann is one of those leaders who makes time not excuses. Like most of us, she is busy keeping up with the day-to-day demands of life but always finds a way to make her patients, and those around her, feel valued. In fact, she even has one patient that calls to wish Dr. Rathmann a “Happy Anniversary” when the date of her first chiropractic adjustment rolls around. Her people-first approach is an example to us all.
The dedication of Dr. Rathmann extends beyond one-on-one relationships and deep into her emphasis on community building. She is involved locally with the Chamber of Commerce, Blacksburg Sports Club, and Downtown Blacksburg Inc., and the American Business Women’s Association. In the past, she has also been a member of Rotary, a Board member for the American Red Cross, a Board Member of Valley Interfaith Childcare Center, and a volunteer for the United Way. It quickly becomes apparent that Dr. Rathmann is leading by serving in our local community.
When reflecting on Dr. Rathmann’s support from our community Dr. Tuck shared, “Dr. Rathmann has always been very dedicated to the communities here in Montgomery County.  Since joining us, she has served on several boards and committees and volunteered at meaningful events countless times.  I think her service to others both within the office to her patients and outside the office in the community is a testament to why she is so loved in the area.”
Not only is Dr. Rathmann highly relational and very invested in our local community; she is also dedicated to advancing the professional of chiropractic. Dr. Rathmann serves as Clinical Operations Manager for Tuck Chiropractic Clinic to ensure continuous quality improvement with clinic staff members. Dr. Tuck said, “I have worked with Dr. Rathmann for almost 18 years now.  Her work both here in southwest Virginia and across the state to advance our profession has always been about improving care for patients.  I feel very blessed to have worked with her!”
This nomination means a lot to our team because it means that others are recognizing the dedication that Dr. Rathmann has to our patients and community. It is something that can’t help but be noticed. We are honored to have her as part of our team and thankful for her leadership within Tuck Chiropractic, our community, and beyond.

It all began when he was a young child. Dr. Anthony “Tony” Hamm witnessed his stepfather eliminate pain for countless patients with chiropractic and this type of healthcare was captivating to him. He specifically recalls that as he grew, he realized how much he, “liked the fact that it was drug-free and effective.” Beyond that, Dr. Hamm noted, “There also seemed to be a great deal of patient satisfaction.” His path forward in life was clear; he was going to follow in his stepfather’s footsteps and become a chiropractor.
When Dr. Hamm was in high school, he began planning the best path forward to make his dream a reality. Specifically, he designed his college experience around the goal of being accepted into Chiropractic College. He finished the required prerequisites and attended Chiropractic College at National University of Health Sciences. Interestingly, Dr. Nathan Tuck, the father of Dr. Ray Tuck, was a classmate and friend to Dr. Hamm.
It was sometime later that this friendship and connection to the Tuck family came around full circle. Dr. Ray Tuck and Dr. Hamm began working together on American Chiropractic Association projects about seven or eight years ago. In that process, they developed a close friendship. Dr. Hamm explained, “He and I developed a close friendship and a lot of that had to do with my former relationship with his dad.”
Dr. Hamm’s career as a chiropractor is one that can be characterized by service and leadership. He has served within the North Carolina Chiropractic Association for a number of years. He was also the North Carolina delegate to the ACA in the 1990s. Ultimately, he spent a two-year term serving as the President of the American Chiropractic Association. For him, this leadership was a natural progression stemming from his dedication and love for chiropractic. He explained, “I love what I do. I love the patient interaction. I love to see people in pain get better.”
Like many wise leaders, Dr. Hamm makes sure to consider what’s next. While no date has been set for Dr. Hamm’s retirement he realized it was a reality looming on the horizon. In true Dr. Hamm fashion, he began focusing on his patient’s needs and how he could ensure continuity of care for them.  Dr. Hamm explained, “I witnessed how Tuck Chiropractic Clinic was emerging and evolving. I like that it is a team-based approach and everyone in the company is a team member.” Dr. Hamm made the decision to join our team and make his practice part of Tuck Chiropractic Clinic.
The change has been exciting and welcomed by Dr. Hamm and the Tuck team alike. Dr. Tuck said, “Dr. Hamm has long been an expert in many areas of the chiropractic field and in healthcare. We are confident his expertise and dedication will help us continue to live our commitment to excellence through consistent, convenient, and patient-centered care.”
Don’t mistake this mention of retirement for an indication that Dr. Hamm is slowing down. That’s anything but the case. Currently, he is enrolled in a master of science in health sciences curriculum, with a concentration on health care quality, at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He is also an avid golfer who has traveled to amazing destinations like Pebble Beach and Scotland to spend time on the green. However, Dr. Hamm is making some intentional moves to slow down just a little, to make sure he can enjoy his children and 5-month old grandson.
As Dr. Hamm reflects on his busy and rewarding career, he can’t help but acknowledge the privilege it is to help others live pain-free. He described, “One of the things that I’m most proud is that we take both acute and chronic care patients and provide services that assist with improvement and management of those conditions without total reliance on medication.” We are thankful for now having Dr. Hamm, and his dedication and drive to serve others, as part of Tuck Chiropractic Clinic.

In so many ways, Charity is just like every other 11-year-old girl. Bright, happy and full of joy. However, this past year was a challenging and trying year for Charity and her family. She went from being one of the most athletic kids in her class to becoming increasingly limited by hip pain, to include her hip popping out of place.  Through chiropractic care, and working with Dr. Matthis, she is now back to being her bright self, embracing life. The road that led Charity to chiropractic care wasn’t an easy one, but it was one that ultimately led to wellness.
As an infant, Charity had problems with her hips. From time to time they would pop, even as her mom Khristy carried her around. However, this didn’t cause Charity pain so the pediatrician wasn’t concerned. Around March of 2016, the popping increased in frequency and became accompanied by pain. Khristy said, “The pain started in her hips, then went down her legs, then up into her shoulders.” At that time, Charity was extremely involved in gymnastics and on the verge of joining a competitive team; however, the hip problems prevented this from happening. Rather than pursuing her dream to join the competitive gymnastics team, Charity began spending more time on her couch, limited by her pain. She also began to rely on over-the-counter pain medication to get her through the day.
Khristy took Charity to a series of doctors but no one could pinpoint the root cause, figure out a proper diagnosis, or offer a sustainable treatment regimen. She saw an orthopedic doctor, physical therapists, and even a neurologist. Charity also went to a children’s hospital and had a series of x-rays and MRIs. Nobody ever officially wrote down a diagnosis, but it was suggested that she might have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a disease of the peripheral nervous system. Khristy was unwilling to accept this as what the future held for her little girl. She felt sure that there was a doctor out there that could bring about the healing for Charity she so desperately needed.
The path to healing began with a phone call. Khristy called our Christiansburg office and asked, “Do you even see children?” After learning that we offer chiropractic care for the entire family, she scheduled an appointment to meet with Dr. Matthis. Khristy admits she had her reservations about chiropractic care, but felt she needed to give it a try. After explaining what Charity had been enduring for several months, Dr. Matthis began to dig deeper. He specifically asked about injuries or physical trauma. Khristy recalled that when Charity was nine she hurt herself on a trampoline, her knee struck her sternum. She was examined by a physician but seemed to recover quickly with no other intervention needed.
Dr. Matthis explained that injuries to our bodies can be likened to when a tire hits a pothole. At first, it seems like everything is fine and no damage was inflicted. However, as you continue driving down the road, all of a sudden the problem begins to emerge. This is what Dr. Matthis suspects happened. Much to Khristy’s relief, Dr. Matthis felt he could really help Charity, and ultimately he did.
Charity came in for adjustments with Dr. Matthis three times a week for the first two weeks. After that, she came in two times a week. Finally, she was able to go a full month between needing an adjustment. Khristy explained, “After a couple of visits, Charity did not have to take Tylenol and Motrin every day. In fact, she started having days of being pain free. We believe in miracles.” Charity’s family also now believes in chiropractic care because of the difference it has made in Charity’s life. “She is back to turning all of her flips,” explains Khristy. She recently got to visit Disney World and while in Florida she turned cartwheels on the beach. What a beautiful image and stark contrast to where Charity was six months prior.
Charity’s story illustrates the importance of turning to chiropractic care as an initial treatment option for health problems. Her story is one that personifies the positive impact of chiropractic care.
 

We love sharing our patient’s success stories! In this unique situation we were able to ask Caitlyn, a member of our marketing team, to detail her experience getting her first chiropractic adjustment. Enjoy hearing, in her own words, what it was like start to finish.

I never thought I would seek out chiropractic care. While I’ve never doubted its effectiveness I’ve always had nervousness about what it would actually be like to receive an adjustment. Over the last 18 months I’ve been lucky to be part of the Tuck Chiropractic marketing team, so I’ve heard first-hand from a wide variety of patients the unequivocal benefits of getting adjustments.
Recently, I realized it was becoming increasingly uncomfortable to sit at my desk and work. I have two positions; I’m an executive at a local company and also run my own marketing firm, I really don’t have time for the distraction of pain. Sitting at a desk is also a reality of both positions. I knew I needed help.
I decided I had to honor the profession I have heard so many raving things about and make an appointment for an adjustment. Since I work in the Christiansburg area, and already knew Dr. Matthis, I decided to make my appointment there.  I was amazed when I called to request an appointment and they were willing to fit me in that afternoon. They also were able to clarify the portion my insurance would cover before I even entered the office.
If you’ve not met Dr. Matthis in person I’ll be the first to tell you he is highly dedicated to chiropractic and the way it can improve lives. He also has a fun-loving spirit that makes it easy to be around him. Going into it I was certain he would make me feel better, and would probably make me laugh a bit in the process, but was nervous about what the actual adjustment would feel like.
The first part of my visit was spent evaluating my pain in the context of my life and daily activities. I went in confident that my pain was only on the lower right side of my back. I soon realized that Dr. Matthis understood my pain far better than me. He found other areas of my back that were sore and tender, which I had no clue about prior. He also explained why my pain, which had originated in my lower back, had begun to impact my entire back, all the way up to my neck.
After the evaluation, it was time for Electrical Muscle Stimulation Therapy (E-Stim). Dr. Matthis explained that E-Stim helps fatigue the muscles before the adjustment, making it possible for him to be even more effective. Christina, the Chiropractic Assistant who applied the E-Stim and got it going, likened the sensation to little ants crawling on you.  I would say that was accurate. I actually find the weird sensation of E-Stim, especially on my neck, to be relaxing.
Then, I received my first adjustment. It didn’t hurt in the slightest. However, even though I was told to expect sounds as I was adjusted they continued to surprise me each and every time. You could call my reaction to the sounds “colorful”. Which is why I’m especially thankful Dr. Matthis offered the perfect balance of professionalism and comic relief.
I also appreciate that throughout my appointment Dr. Matthis explained the “why.” For example, he told me why I likely was having the pain in the first place. Since I have two young children, less than two years apart, it is likely that the changes to my pelvic area during pregnancy resulted in a mal-aligned pelvis. In fact, during the initial exam, he pointed out my legs were not the same length because of how my pelvis was tilted.
When I left my appointment I felt immediate relief. The following day I had minimal soreness, which Dr. Matthis had prepared me for. After another 5 visits, my pain was no more. My transformation was two-fold. I went from someone living with an underlying level of pain to someone living pain-free. I also went from being someone hesitant to seek an adjustment to someone who will continue to seek adjustments, as needed for pain and my overall wellness.

We are kicking off 2017 with a big and exciting announcement. As of January 2nd, we will have a new office open to serve the Bonsack, Botetourt, Northeast Roanoke and Vinton Communities. We are constantly striving for ways to improve accessibility and better serve you, our patients and know that convenient clinic locations are a key aspect of this. You can find our new office at:

Tuck Chiropractic-Botetourt
60 Summerfield Court
Roanoke, VA 24019

Our Vinton office and patients will also transition to this office, effective January 2nd. Exciting moves like this would not be possible without our supportive patients and community. Dr. AJ Labarbera explained, “The demand for a Tuck Chiropractic clinic in the Bonsack and Botetourt area grew such that we knew it was the right time to add this clinic location. We continuously work to improve our accessibility, so it is exciting to bring our brand to Botetourt. We strive to positively impact our community and know that convenient chiropractic care is key to accomplishing that goal.”  
We are also thrilled to be neighbors with Carilion Wellness. This strategic location is helpful to those that integrate chiropractic care with their overall wellness plan, to include exercise and fitness.
We would like to thank our patients and the community for making this opportunity possible. It is a privilege to help each of our patients eliminate pain and improve their quality of life. We look forward to continuing to serve the community in 2017 and beyond.

It was 16 years ago and Joyce was crippled by pain. She said, “My back pain was so bad I was unable to straighten up.” Joyce wanted the pain to go away but felt like she didn’t have any options. She is allergic to prescription pain medications and can’t take most over the counter drugs because she donated one of her kidneys. Her husband suggested (and insisted) she see Dr. Jennifer Rathmann, at our Blacksburg clinic. During that visit, Joyce experienced tremendous relief and realized that chiropractic care manages her chronic back pain in ways medication can’t.
Chiropractic has been a complete game changer for Joyce. She experienced such relief that she has consistently received adjustments on a monthly or weekly basis since that initial visit back in 2000. Beyond the back pain, she also has arthritis in her neck, which is a condition that requires consistent wellness work. Dr. Rathmann not only provides adjustments but also helps with traction treatments, which relieve the pressure and neck pain from arthritis.
Keeping her pain in check allows Joyce to fulfill her duties at work. For the last 9 years, Joyce has worked for the United States Post Office as a mail carrier. Her day starts bright and early whens he shows up to sort the mail, which can take up to four hours. She then spends many hours delivering the mail, as many as seven. She explained, “We don’t have time to stop. You do it until all of the mail is delivered, no matter how long it takes.” The Christmas season, which is the most wonderful time of the year for most of us, is also the busiest time of year for her. The long periods of sitting each day, as she delivers mail, can wreck havoc on her back. Fortunately, she has an effective and flexible solution for those days. Joyce explained:

Working with the post office you don’t have time to stop. You go in each morning without knowing how much mail or packages there will be. Whenever I get through I can call over to Dr. Rathmann and they always do their best to fit me in, it’s wonderful.

Joyce still recalls her very first chiropractic adjustment, which was the day after Labor Day back in 2000. Dr. Rathmann remembers those early days too:

When Joyce first came to our office she was working a factory type of job where she was standing all day, doing a lot of repetitive lifting, twisting and turning. Now she is working at the Post Office and does a lot of the same type of activities in addition to long periods of daily driving. We are always happy to see Joyce walk into our Clinic, smiling, even after a long day at work. It really is my pleasure to help her!

The story of Joyce’s experience with Dr. Rathmann and the Tuck team is one about victory over pain but also about a special relationship that has developed in the process. Dr. Rathmann said, “Every September, Joyce comes in and wishes me a Happy Anniversary.” They have experienced the births of children and grandchildren during the tenure of their patient-doctor relationship and have been able to celebrate these major milestones together.
When Joyce isn’t busy at the post office she is busy with her biggest love, family. She has ten grandchildren ages four to 19. Each Sunday she takes her youngest grandbaby to church with her, and wouldn’t miss it for the world (and especially not for back pain). Convenient and consistent chiropractic care allows Joyce to work hard, embrace life, and overcome pain.
 
 

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!
Copyright: leaf / 123RF Stock Photo