Dr. A.J. LaBarbera’s path to chiropractic began back when he was very young. You see, Dr. LaBarbera is a second-generation chiropractor, and his father’s experience as a chiropractor served as his inspiration. Some days he would watch patients literally crawl into his father’s office, only to see them walk out pain-free. These moments led Dr. LaBarbera to passionately pursue a career in chiropractic and follow in his father’s footsteps.
Dr. LaBarbera moved to Roanoke in middle school  and following graduation from high school eventually found himself at Virginia Tech for college, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Following graduation, he went on to receive his Doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. After spending time practicing in Chicago, the beauty of the New River Valley called him home; and Dr. LaBarbera joined our team in 2010.
Dr. LaBarbera now helps people feel better and live well on a daily basis.  “You are making an impact on someone’s life for the better – whether it be getting them out of pain, improving their ability to do an activity they haven’t been able to do in awhile, or improving their overall quality of life so they can function at their best,” he explained.
However there is an additional layer to Dr. LaBarbera’s success as a chiropractor: the team he gets to work alongside at Tuck Chiropractic. Our staff is welcoming, and truly cares about each individual who walks through the doors. Our team values excellence by providing a comfortable atmosphere and impeccable care unlike any other in the area. “We put all of our energy into meeting patients’ needs and expectations by helping them achieve their health goals, while we take great strides to make sure they are highly satisfied by measuring their outcomes in care,” Dr. LaBarbera shared.
Just like his father, Dr. LaBarbera feels energized when it comes to his profession, and is constantly fueled to continue helping others, despite some of the challenges that arise. One challenging area chiropractic care plays an integral role in is the Opioid crisis impacting our country. For years, chiropractors have treated patients who suffer from chronic pain issues. Chiropractors take conservative care measures, which help people control chronic pain without the use of Opioids.
Whether it’s migraines, sports injuries, back pain or arthritis, Dr. LaBarbera and the team at Tuck Chiropractic are always willing to discuss treatment options with patients. “The great thing about our group is that we will tell you whether or not there is a chiropractic case,” he explained. “We will communicate with their Primary Care Provider to let them know what we think the issue is. If they are not near one of our locations, we will do some research for them and find out where they can go where they will feel comfortable with the care options.”
Throughout his career, Dr. LaBarbera has been a champion for chiropractic care, always striving to ensure his patients are treated with the utmost care. Dr. LaBarbera also takes pride in his leadership roles within the chiropractic community. He has been on the board for the State Chiropractic Association in Virginia for three years, where chiropractors come together to ensure the best in practice development and management training, tools and support positive legislative action for the profession. In addition, he helps with managing mass media marketing and brand development for Tuck Chiropractic.
When Dr. LaBarbera isn’t seeing patients at our Bedford and Botetourt office, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, who loves to dance, and his wife. You may even catch him at a Virginia Tech sporting event (he particularly enjoys the football and basketball games). However, everything Dr. LaBarbera does is with his inspiration in the forefront of his mind, always holding close the memories he made watching his father’s chiropractic journey. We have to admit – whether serving our patients, staying active in the chiropractic community, or leading his everyday life, Dr. LaBarbera lives with the goal of helping people feel better and be the best version of themselves they can be.

‘Why’ – such a short word that that has the ability to reveal so much. At the end of the day everyone has their own personal why. Why they chose the college they attended, why they took a leap of faith, why they made a life-changing decision, or why they chose their career path. For Dr. Emily Ranstadler the reason she chose chiropractic isn’t what you may expect, as she actually started out on the other side of the examination table as a chiropractic patient desperately looking for relief.
Dr. Ranstadler’s first calling—before she began pursuing chiropractic—was serving our country in the United States Marine Corp as a helicopter mechanic and aerial observer. While in service, she obtained a B.A. in Criminal Justice. During her education, a forensics class piqued her interest in anatomy, something crucial for chiropractors to understand. Dr. Ranstadler’s background and experience was the launching pad to future greatness—and a great example of her consistent track record of striving to positively impact others.
Her journey towards a career in chiropractic began with excruciating back pain. One morning Dr. Ranstadler (Emily at that time) woke up with “explosive” back pain and still remembers lying on her kitchen floor, staring at the ceiling, trying to breathe. “I assessed my situation and realized my options were pretty grim,” she recalls. “My husband was in Afghanistan, my friendly neighbors recently moved away, and my 16 month old was screaming his head off upstairs.” Then she had an idea: she had seen a chiropractor several months prior and remembered feeling good after an adjustment. She began calling chiropractors in her area, made an appointment, found the strength to get dressed and grab her baby, and was on her way to the appointment that would change her life and career aspirations (and relieve her back pain).
Following her visit, Dr. Ranstadler felt instant relief. As she was driving home she came to the realization that she didn’t want anyone to feel the pain she felt that morning, she wanted to be part of the solution to the pain so many people suffer from. That very same day, she began calling chiropractic schools. Ultimately, Dr. Ranstadler graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sherman College of Chiropractic, achieving her goal of obtaining an education to help others deal with pain that may be interfering with their quality of life.
While taking prerequisites, she completed a massage therapy course, which improved her clinical skills and now helps her with patient interaction. During chiropractic school, Dr. Ranstadler concurrently obtained an M.S. in Sports and Health Science. “I am very interested in how movement plays into overall function, maybe a crossover from my days of troubleshooting aircraft,” she said.
For an individual questioning whether chiropractic is the right choice for them, Dr. Ranstadler has some advice. “A good chiropractor should always take the time to speak to you, address your concerns, and explain what your options are before proceeding with treatment plans. Additionally, a thorough exam should be performed so that the safest and most effective treatment can be offered for your individual case,” she explained. “I think that at Tuck, we do a great job of gathering the right information to give great care or help get you where you need to be.”
Dr. Ranstadler’s path to joining our team is filled with dedication and passion: two qualities that have led her to be the successful and caring chiropractor she is today. We are very fortunate to work alongside Dr. Ranstadler, who is also a Certified Massage Therapist, NSCA Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. When she is not serving patients at our Roanoke-Peters Creek office, Dr. Ranstadler finds joy spending time with her husband and two sons, as well as exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

At Tuck Chiropractic Clinic, our experienced doctors provide their expertise as they examine cases in detail. Concurrent care helps guarantee a consistency throughout our practice.

• Obtaining the most effective and efficient outcomes for patients, even if we have to incorporate other disciplines into the care plan
• Valuing our patients’ time and money
• Working to continually improve care to obtain the best outcomes for our patients

What Are Clinical Rounds?

By sharing experiences with colleagues and encouraging collaborative efforts, we are able to increase the level of care and satisfaction for our patients. We share this information through a process called clinical rounds.
Clinical rounds are carried out in a “roundtable” process, which is designed to improve the collective power of our practice. Each month, one or two of our chiropractors are selected to present a case to their colleagues. These cases are diverse, and could range from a new approach to lower back pain to abdominal migraines. Strong measures are always taken to ensure that patient privacy is maintained.
Our doctors share intake information, diagnoses, demographics, treatment rationales and modalities, outcomes and resolutions, and unique aspects of cases, as well as insurance information and the cost to patients.

Collective Power

There are several important benefits to our clinical rounds process. We use our collective power to discuss the case and offer feedback. We can discuss internal practices in documentation and case management, which often leads to discussion about our best practices. And, our doctors have an opportunity to sharpen their presentation skills.
Clinical rounds also give the professionals at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic a chance to build and develop their relationships with each other, which is very important because it translates into better care for our patients.
If you think our concurrent care model might be beneficial to you, contact any one of our Tuck Chiropractic Clinics to schedule an appointment for your initial assessment.
Image by rawpixel/123RF.

The moment Dr. Anna Occhiuzzi-Flynn (Dr. Flynn) knew chiropractic was her calling didn’t come as you may expect. Her plan was to graduate from high school and ultimately work as an administrator. However, as life sometimes goes that wasn’t the case. During her youth, Dr. Flynn had never visited a chiropractor or had an adjustment. “At 10 years old I had leg pain, and a family doctor prescribed me Valium. I took one pill and threw the prescription away,” Dr. Flynn explained. “I innately knew it was not the right path.” Unbeknownst to her – this was the beginning of discovering what would become her future passion: chiropractic.
Soon after high school, Dr. Flynn found herself following life’s plan: she was an administrative assistant at a non-profit organization, where she worked alongside a nutritionist. She became inspired by the individuals she worked with and decided to change her plans and attend college, working towards a degree in nutrition or public health. However, she soon realized with a degree of this nature, she would most likely end up working in a hospital, which wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. That’s when she crossed paths with a chiropractor who took her to listen to Dr. Sid Williams speak, a champion of chiropractic, as some called him. “Sid talked about the innate power of the body to heal itself,” Dr. Flynn said, “I felt like he was speaking to me.”
All of these pivotal moments pointing to chiropractic were scattered throughout her life, and cumulated in her 1983 graduation from Palmer College of Chiropractic West in Sunnyvale, California. It didn’t take long to receive affirmation that this was the correct career path. While working as a sole practitioner, Dr. Flynn’s assistant brought her son in with extreme abdominal pain — so bad, his family was contemplating taking him to the emergency room. Dr. Flynn took time out of her day to adjust him every few hours and by the end of the day he was pain free. Even after 25 years in the field, Dr. Flynn still gets excited about the possibilities of chiropractic care. “We are non-invasive – it will never hurt you. Just give it a try – don’t suffer,” she explained.
Various life experiences led to Dr. Flynn’s ultimate decision to pursue chiropractic. Similarly, her life experiences have contributed to her passion for serving others and strong sense of empathy. When she was eight years old her family moved to the United States from Argentina. Her parents spoke very little English, and she often found herself going to appointments with them to help translate because she didn’t want to see her parents struggle to communicate. Dr. Flynn is trilingual, and at one point worked at a Spanish speaking practice – making for a comfortable and stress-free environment for those who spoke predominantly Spanish.
Dr. Flynn found herself in Roanoke after some of her friends from chiropractic school moved to the area. When she came to Virginia to visit them, she fell in love with the small town environment, and felt it would be a great place to raise a family. She started her own practice in 1996 in Rocky Mount, but sold it in 2000 to focus on being a mother. We are thrilled that she is not only practicing chiropractic again, but has chosen to do so with our team.
Outside of the office, Dr. Flynn finds joy in life’s simple pleasures such as cooking, hiking, listening to music and skiing.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Flynn to our Botetourt office. We are enthusiastic about the talent and care she will bring to our group, as well as the patients in the Botetourt community.

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.

We welcomed 2017 with big news as we announced a new clinic location in Botetourt, Virginia. The excitement hasn’t slowed down. We are thrilled to announce that Tuck Chiropractic Clinic has crossed state boundaries and we have established our first clinic location in North Carolina.
Dr. Tuck explained, “As we looked to grow, North Carolina has always been on our ‘list’.  This clinic, located in Goldsboro, represents our commitment to continue to provide convenient, professional, and consistent access to chiropractic care. Many of us on our leadership team have family connections in that area, so we are excited to have this opportunity.”
Dr. Anthony Hamm, a seasoned chiropractor with decades of experience, was the owner of Hamm Chiropractic Clinic prior to the merger. Dr. Hamm has an overt and unwavering commitment to healthcare quality. He is the immediate past president of the American Chiropractic Association and is currently 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.
Dr. Hamm’s connection to Tuck Chiropractic Clinic reaches back to his years in chiropractic when he was a classmate of Dr. Tuck Sr., the founder of Tuck Chiropractic Clinic and father of our current president, Dr. Ray Tuck. Dr. Tuck said, “Dr. Hamm has long been an expert in many areas of the chiropractic field and in healthcare and we felt that expertise could help us continue to live our commitment to excellence.”
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Goldsboro community, which has already made us feel extremely welcome. We also must thank our wonderful patients for their support, which has been a major component of our ability to continue to grow as a company.
Expanding our company into Goldsboro, North Carolina represents a big and exciting step forward for our team. We are confident that this is a change that will allow us to collectively leave a bigger and more positive impact on the lives we are privileged to touch.  
 

Feel Better. Live Better. – Our theme for this quarter.

“Often Chiropractic is seen in a dichotomous way. Meaning, people see it as a means of eliminating pain OR as a way to support a lifestyle of wellness. At Tuck Chiropractic we choose to see it as both. For me as a Chiropractor, and as a practice collectively, we work with patients across the continuum; from those in acute pain situations all the way to patients who feel absolutely wonderful and know chiropractic is a key to staying that way.”

Dr. Sean Skinner: Roanoke, Peter’s Creek

“When you are feeling well with no pain, you can focus on the important things in life. You can focus on your family, your job, your hobbies, and things that make you happy. Your overall quality of life is improved when you feel better.”

Dr. Susan Kilmer: Cave Spring

“To me it means, even with past injuries, I can get out and enjoy my life to the fullest with chiropractic. I will be able to do what I want in this life much longer with chiropractic.”

Dr. Lee Matthis: Christiansburg

“Feeling good radiates! Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. When we feel bad or are in pain, we can often lash out at those around us. We can be short, rude, and sometimes offensive without even knowing it.  Feeling good is not only better for us; it’s better those around us too!”

Dr. Tiffany Grace: Rocky Mount

“Feel better, Live better” to me means helping patients be their best self. It means helping reduce pain and restore function to their bodies so they can participate in the activities they enjoy. It means addressing other aspects of their lives such as posture and nutrition, exercise and water intake so their bodies will function optimally. We want patients to be “healthy” and not just pain-free.”

Dr. Jen Rathmann: Blacksburg

“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! The better you feel from your head to your feet and everywhere in between the higher quality of life you have. Doing what you want to do and when you want to do it! We call these activities of daily living. Whether it is the ability to pick up your kids and grandkids, go to the grocery store or hike the Appalachian Trail.  We want you to function as close to 100% as possible. When you take care of your body it will take care of you! You will feel better and you will be living the life you want to live!”

Dr. Anthony Hamm: Goldsboro, NC

“Recent epidemiological studies show that 41-80 percent of the population will experience back pain in given year. So back pain is prevalent in our society. Relieving back pain and returning to action, whether short-term acute pain or chronic conditions, is one important way to “feel better, live better.””