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

What is Holistic Health and How Does Chiropractic Contribute?

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

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

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

What Other Holistic Methods Can Supplement Chiropractic?

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

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

It’s the first week of the New Year and the gym is flooded with new faces, excited to tackle their personal wellness goals. Are you one of them? Or are you looking for an alternative way to get in shape? Starting at a new gym at any time can be intimidating but especially when it’s the busy season. If you’re uncomfortable with starting your wellness journey at the gym, there are plenty of ways to start on the path on your own.

1. Subscribe to Your Favorite Fitness YouTube Channels

Instructional fitness videos are one of the most popular types of video content on YouTube. Whatever type of exercise you prefer, there’s likely a handful of channels to choose from to begin your DIY at-home fitness regimen. Start with the basics of yoga or opt for aerobics and hand-weights with some of your own equipment at home. Having the guidance of an expert is especially helpful to keep you focused and motivated. It also helps that you can do your exercises on your time instead of trying to squeeze your workout into the hours your gym holds.

2. Get Outside

Even in the wintertime, getting outside and moving is a great way to get active. Whether you want to walk, run, bike, or hike – there are so many different ways that getting outside can get your blood pumping. Southwest Virginia has endless trails with beautiful views for hiking and biking. It’s even better when you bring your friend or dog along!

3. Try A Wellness App

Take your wellness mindset with you by downloading one of the many smartphone applications available. If you want to focus on adjusting your eating habits, there are great applications like Lifesum or MyFitnessPal that help you track your meals and your workouts to help you find the perfect balance of being active and eating right. There are also apps strictly focused on workouts. If you’re an aspiring yogi, try Asana Rebel. If you like circuit training, check out 8Fit! You can also set up reminders to make sure you’re not neglecting your routine.

4. Change Small Habits

Sometimes, you don’t even have to be in your gym clothes to work on your fitness. Making small changes in your daily habits can make a difference too! Make the choice to park further away or to take the stairs when they’re available. You could even try fitting a few squats in while you’re washing your dishes at home.
One thing to remember is to make sure your new routine fits you. A lot of people experience imposter syndrome they walk into a gym where everyone seems to know what they’re doing while you’re still unsure. Make sure you’re choosing activities that fit your goals and your lifestyle. If you don’t know where to start, try talking to your doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist on how to set actionable goals and to discuss the best ways to reach them.

Having a friend crack your back may provide some temporary relief, but it won’t fix the underlying issue causing pain and can result in injury.
Years ago, we built our wellness blog on the idea that we can connect to our patients and the general public outside the clinic walls by providing stories about our doctors and patients and advice on ways to achieve the “Feel Better. Live Better.” lifestyle we promote. We love sharing stories about patients of all ages who have seen a change in their life since visiting. Even more, we love being able to provide valuable information and insights on how they can continue that feeling each day. Here are our top ten posts from 2018! It looks like our doctors got a lot of great attention this year!
1. Can a Chiropractic Adjustment Help Clear Your Sinuses?
One of the lesser known treatments is adjustments focused on relieving sinus pressure from sickness or allergies. While many people turn to cold or allergy medication to relieve the symptoms, a chiropractic adjustment of specific bones in the face, neck, and back could provide relief to the cause, and in turn the symptoms.
2. Top 10 Wellness Blogs of 2016
This throwback post to 2016 features the most read blog posts of 2016. Topics included spotlights on Dr. Tuck, Dr. Rathmann, and Dr. Matthis, tips for staying active, eating right, and more.
3. Rocky Mount Clinic Moves to New Location
Dr. Tiffany Grace and her team found a new home in Rocky Mount this year, right next to Carilion Children’s Center. They were very excited to be opening at new location which enables them to better serve our amazing patients in a very accessible and modern location.
4. Dr. Grace’s Mom’s Migraine Relief Translated into a Career in Healthcare
This post highlights Dr. Grace’s journey into the chiropractic field. From the age of four, Tiffany heard her mother praise the practice for her relief from persistent migraines and insisted that she or one of her brothers became chiropractors.
5. Dr. Tyler Garapola Joins Tuck the Chiropractic Clinic in Woodlawn
Dr. Tyler Garapola joined the Tuck Chiropractic Clinic located in the Woodlawn area of Carroll County, Va., in March. He works alongside Dr. Katie McKown, who has practiced there since 2010 and brings a youthful passion for chiropractic care and community involvement – two things that Tuck Chiropractic Clinic hold in high value.
6. Dr. Foster’s Helping Hands Give Back to the Community He Was Raised By
Growing up in a small town with a tight-knit community such as Bedford often inspires unexpected roots to sprout. At least this was the case for Tuck’s Bedford Clinic, Dr. Matthew Foster, who completed his preceptorship and began practicing as a licensed chiropractor at Tuck Chiropractic Clinic in Bedford in the Fall of 2017.
7. Dr. Brooke’s Take on Chiropractic Care: Healing from the Inside
Dr. Brooke’s patient roster ranges from baby boomers to children, and even student-athletes, he’s has helped them all. He is the official chiropractor for the Radford University Athletic Department. He has also worked with the Virginia Tech Rugby Club and the Virginia Tech Triathlon Club.
8. Is It Bad to Crack Your Back?
Having a friend crack your back may provide some temporary relief, but it won’t fix the underlying issue causing pain and can result in injury.
9. Your Spine is in Good Hands: Infographic
Chiropractic is a health care profession that specializes in the treatment of the spine and joint conditions. Chiropractic uses non-invasive techniques, such as to misaligned joints, to remedy underlying issues that lead to pain and problems within the muscles and bodily organs.
10. Tuck Clinic Takes SXSW
A highlight of Dr. Tuck and Dr. LaBarbera’s trip to Austin, Texas to attend the 31st South by Southwest, a conference, and festival celebrating the convergence of industries for innovation. They strategically split their time between the healthcare-focused tracks and the marketing and innovation focused tracks to elevate their strategies in providing collaborative care and helping individuals in need discover that kind of care in a meaningful, authentic way.
There you have it – a perfect recap of 2018. What’s in store for 2019? Stay tuned!

In his role as president of the American Chiropractic Association, Dr. Tuck recently traveled to London, UK for the 10th Annual Chiropractic Education Conference, hosted by the World Federation of Chiropractic. This 4-day conference is centered around bringing together international educational experts in the chiropractic profession and beyond to showcase innovations in education for chiropractors.
“My main goal [in attending] was to see where the trends are going in terms of the evidence of chiropractic care delivery,” says Dr. Tuck.

As President of Tuck Chiropractic, Dr. Tuck expresses that one of the main focuses at Tuck Clinics is to continually review the outcomes of our patient care to continue to make evidence-based decisions. In order to do this, we focus on providing up to date continuing education for our doctors to engage with throughout the year. Dr. Tuck attended various sessions, but the most impactful focused on how to develop training around key competencies to educate our doctors on the most relevant topics in evidence-based, patient-centered, collaborative care.
The biggest takeaway?
“We have to go where our doctors are to ensure they are engaged with the information we are training them on,” reflects Dr. Tuck.
Leveraging new technologies will be paramount to keeping continuing education fresh, engaging, and effective. We are looking forward to unpacking these new insights with our leadership team to better serve our doctors, and in turn, our patients.
“My biggest thought through the entire conference was: it really is all about the patients!” says Dr. Tuck.

One day after Halloween and the Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations and commercials are already swarming! Suddenly, the relaxed sense of fall has been whisked away with the leaves and it feels like “crunch time” until the end of the year. The holidays can be the most enjoyable time of the year, and the most stressful. With shorter days, it feels like you have less time to get everything on your to-do list done. Don’t let the hustle and bustle throw you off. It’s still important to take the time to focus on your personal wellness.

Common Causes of Holiday Stress

The first step to avoiding the build-up of stress is to recognize the common causes of stress that occur around this time of year. Let’s take a look at the way your lifestyle may change during the winter months.
Lower levels of activity is one of the most common impacts of colder air. Even the most routinely active people often find themselves skipping out on the gym to sit in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate.
Changes in diet is another factor that can affect your overall wellness. We all know that your sugar intake spikes starting at Halloween and often all the way through New Years and fresh vegetables are harder to come by. Diet has a big impact on your mood and overall energy level.
Pressure on finances and time is another major stressor during the holidays. Buying food for big family meals, making sure you get a gift for everyone on your list, and still trying to find time for self-care can add up to a stressful season.
These stressors can express themselves both physically and mentally, but there are ways the keep yourself from falling into a seasonal rut.

Ways to Stay on Track

Being more mindful of these lifestyle changes is the first step to staying on track. The sheer desire to make sure you’re keeping up with your routine and healthy habits can make a big difference in keeping the stress at bay. It’s a lot to juggle, but it’s not impossible!
Stay active as much as you can, in any way you can. Take an extra lap around the mall when you’re shopping. Trade a road run for some gym time. You can even make time to spend time with the family out in the leaves or playing in the snow. It’s a great activity that gets your endorphins moving!
Don’t over-commit yourself to work, holiday parties, or your Christmas list. The holidays are a great time to take some time off and enjoy time with your family. Keep in mind that you don’t have to attend every Christmas Party you’re invited to or buy something for everyone you know.
Keep up with your wellness routine. Give yourself the gift of self-care this year! Even when things get busy, taking the time to go to the gym, get a massage to release the tension, or visit your chiropractor for a regular adjustment can make a big difference in getting through the crazy season!
Chiropractic care focuses on releasing the build up of tension throughout the nervous system. Pain symptoms from stress, such as headaches and muscle tension, can be relieved through gentle adjustments that allow the nervous system to release. Make sure you make some time for you this holiday season. We’re here to help.

If you’re new to chiropractic as a patient, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about the over all intake process works and how your first adjustment will go. At Tuck Chiropractic Clinic, our doctors and staff strive to make it as easy as possible to schedule your first appointment and begin your journey towards living a better, pain free life. We make scheduling your first appointment and filling out your patient form a seamless online experience. This way we can dive right into delivering collaborative, hands-on care. While everyone has an experience that is catered to their individual needs, here are a few things that you can expect on your first visit.

Your Intake Process

Once the Clinic that is most convenient to you has reached out to schedule your first appointment, it’s smooth sailing from there. They will direct you to our New Patient Form so that we have a great deal of information about your personal health problems and goals before you even walk through the door. It will guide the intake process when you arrive.
You’ll often get greeted by name, even on your first visit! Our friendly staff work hard to review your information prior to your arrival so that they can provide a smooth intake experience. Upon arrival, you will be asked to fill out a small questionnaire about the areas you are experiencing pain. Then, you will sit down with a doctor to discuss your needs further. During this intake interview, they will ask more about your lifestyle and habits. This way, we can set baseline goals for outcomes as well as provide recommendations on how you can get the best of your chiropractic care by making changes in your daily life.

Chiropractic Exam

After your doctor has gotten a solid foundation of knowledge about your personal needs, they will perform a chiropractic exam and possibly order X-rays, depending on the severity of the problems. The chiropractic exam consists of performing a few minor physical movements, checking reflexes, and gauging the severity of your injury. These steps are taken to assure that they have a full understanding of how your musculoskeletal system is reacting to stimuli and how it is straining, causing pain. It’s also useful to rule out any deeper nervous system issues. If needed, the doctor may order X-rays in the area of pain to make sure there are no broken bones or to identify any disc compression.

Initial Therapies and Adjustment

With a full knowledge of your pain and a clear direction for the treatments needed, the doctor will administer any necessary therapies and adjustments to begin the process of healing. Sometimes, electric muscle stimulation therapy or ultrasound therapy is used as a way to stimulate the muscles and prepare them for the manipulation adjustment. Using electrical currents or ultrasound waves, the muscles are relaxed, helping to reduce stiffness and spasms. Settings for these therapies are adjustable to your comfort. We never want to cause more pain or comfort than you are already experiencing.
At this point, it’s time for your first adjustment! You doctor will talk you through each of the techniques before they perform the manipulation and what you can expect from each. You will almost always experiencing a “cracking” or “popping” sound and sensation. Over time, these may become less intense as your skeletal system decompresses over the next few visits. If at any time the sensation is too intense, please let your doctor know so they can adjust their technique. After your adjustments are complete, the doctor will likely give you further instructions on ways to stretch the area properly, frequency of icing needed to reduce inflammation, and any other key daily adjustments to achieve the maximum benefit from the adjustments. From here, you will likely need to visit the clinic 5-6 times over the next one to two weeks to get the best results. After these first visits, the doctor will revisit your goals, level of pain, and advise your continued treatment.
If you have any further questions about what to expect, we gladly provide more information and Frequently Asked Questions on our website!

Most occupations that lean heavily on active, manual labor have a tendency to incite injuries over time due to continued strain and repetitive movements. Consider the high stakes job of firefighting for example. Imagine wearing heavy suits, carrying heavy hoses, and being in danger of collapsing buildings. These are certainly all ways that an individual could find themselves in need of chiropractic care to find pain relief. Our patient, John ‘Roc’ More is a great example of a local firefighter that has found relief with the help of Dr. AJ LaBarbera.
Roc started visiting Dr. LaBarbera for general neck pain in about 9 years ago. While he had seen some other chiropractors in the area before, it never turned into a routine. Eventually, his neck became so compressed that he simply couldn’t ignore the pain and headaches anymore so he followed the recommendation of a fellow firefighter and made and appointment at our clinic in Bedford, VA. His only regret is that he wishes he had done it sooner!
“Overall, I think that if I could use Dr. AJ as my primary care physician I would!” says Moore. “He’s truly concerned about all of his patients’ well being.”
It turns out, Dr. AJ was able to help Roc uncover the underlying issue and lay out a regimen that would help him find relief. Roc suffers from what is referred to as a “kyphosis”, a reversal of the curvature of vertebrae in his neck due to several firefighting accidents. This condition essentially means the normal curvature of the cervical spine is diminished so severely that it is actually slightly reversed. Instead of curving inward, the cervical spine has a slight curve outward.
“I went up there and had X-rays and my consultation done,” says Roc. “He told me that he couldn’t promise that they could totally rule out a need for surgery but that he would do his best to keep my pain at a manageable level.”
To this day, Roc hasn’t felt that his condition impacts his life so much that he has had to resort to surgery and attributes Dr. AJ’s help to this. Most days, he doesn’t feel much pain at all. On days that it spikes from an especially active week at work, he simply sets an impromptu visit to the clinic in between his regularly scheduled monthly visit. Because Dr. AJ takes the time to continue to check in on Roc’s health and pain over all, he’s been able to help him in many other ways beyond his neck pain.
“I was in a firetruck crash in 2012,” recalls Roc. “When I went into see him and told him that I was having trouble breathing, he took an X-ray and discovered I had a few broken ribs – something that they totally overlooked when I was in the hospital.”
Roc also received adjustments for back and shoulder pain as needed. With Dr. AJ’s help, he’s also able to maintain his relief at home with a handful of at home remedies. With the combination of therapeutic weight lifting and stretching, strategic support pillows, and hot and cold therapies – he’s able to find relief when the pain isn’t bad enough to set an appointment.
Possibly Roc’s favorite part about coming into our Bedford Clinic is that he feels like he’s just going to see his friends. He enjoys talking with Kim and Donna when he checks in as they call each of our patients by name and are always eager to ask how their days are going. Dr. AJ always makes a point to talk about more than just the task at hand. They even make sure to stop and chat if they run into one another out and about in Bedford.
“They are very professional, yet personal on the same level,” says Roc.
Again, the only regret Roc has about coming into the Tuck Clinic in Bedford is that he hadn’t done it sooner. He encourages people who are putting it off because they have questions or concerns to not be afraid and take the plunge! The first visit at Tuck Chiropractic is always a welcoming, thorough, educational experience.
So if you’re ready to discover how we can help you, schedule your first appointment today!

 

In the midst of Beth Macy’s national book tour for her latest release, “Dopesick” – a New York Times Best Seller that paints a picture of America’s 20 year struggle with opioid distribution and addiction – the United States government is making strides in working to find a solution at the national level. In early September, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) released statistics on drug overdose deaths from March 2017 to March 2018. The data showed a whopping 71,000 deaths related to drug overdoses in that 12 month period with 1,417 reported in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Last Monday, the U.S. Senate passed the Opioid Response Crisis Act with a 99-1 vote. This comprehensive bipartisan bill is aimed at empowering the CDC, Department of Health and Human Services, and other agencies with the funding to address the opioid epidemic.

An Overview of the Opioid Response Crisis Act

The Senate’s summary of the bill states the goal of the bill is to:
“Improve the ability of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, as well as the Departments of Education and Labor, to address the crisis, including the ripple effects of the crisis on children, families, and communities, help states implement updates to their plans of safe care, and improve data sharing between states.”
The bill will provide a $4.7 billion plan to empower the above mentioned agencies to increase their current efforts to fight the crisis as well as new incentives to further the cause. The funding will support the following causes for various agencies:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) to increase research focusing on pain management including prevention and treatment.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address the challenges of creating new pathways to pain management that remove the use of addictive medications, regulate opioid packaging, improve drug disposal systems, and improve border control operations to fight the illegal international drug trade.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop comprehensive opioid recovery centers, address recovery housing best practices, examine the possible effectiveness of opioid prescription limits, increase first responder training for overdoses, and coordinate youth prevention programs and continuation of care for overdose patients, and more.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish evidence based prevention programs, collect more controlled substance data, increase awareness of the risk of misuse and abuse of opioids, further understand infections associated with drug injections, and how the epidemic affects infants and children.

Additional programs funded by this act will focus on strengthening the power of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to regulate and enforce the use, misuse, and disposal of opioids, improve data collection and analyzation capabilities to track progress, and provide support to the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) for education and prevention. While the bill has passed the Senate, it will still need to be reconciled with a House bill that was passed in June. Lawmakers in Congress feel confident that the legislation can be passed with a version that pleases both the House and the Senate.

How Chiropractic Can Play A Role

As many studies by the National Institutes of Health and other research projects have shown, chiropractic plays an important role in pain management that avoids the use of opioid and other invasive methods that still require the temporary use of pain medications. National chiropractic associations like the American Chiropractic Association have been working hard to communicate and collaborate with lawmakers and healthcare providers to be a part of the solution. As doctors who are able to heal with natural, non-invasive methods, it’s important for use to share our expertise and push for access to individuals who need our help. As partners in health, we pledge to continue to find opportunities to share our message and provide the best care possibles to those in need. To read more on our position in how chiropractors can help the opioid crisis, check out our piece on the importance of collaboration across industries: Progress For the Opioid Epidemic Will Come From Progressive Care.

A lot has changed since Dr. Susan Kilmer graduated from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1985 – but her wide range of experience and continued education on techniques and patient support through the Tuck Chiropractic Clinic has allowed her to continue to help her patients find relief with the most modern techniques available. Her biography on our website doesn’t quite do her realm of experience justice.
Her first place of practice was at the Olympics Training Center in Colorado Spring, CO. Here, she worked with the Olympic taekwondo team and judo team. The opportunity to treat Olympic athletes out of the gate has given her a true soft spot for working with athletes to improve mobility and agility, and reduce vulnerability to injuries. While most chiropractors focus on the skeletal alignment of the body, Dr. Kilmer has a tendency to explore muscular work as well, truly treating the entire musculoskeletal system.
From Colorado, Dr. Kilmer went on to work in Northern Virginia at a larger chiropractic group before settling in Roanoke, VA to open up a private practice with her husband, another chiropractor. She joined the Tuck Chiropractic Clinics in 2015 and embraced being back with a larger team.
“I really love being with a team and not having all of the stress of the administration side of running a business,” says Kilmer. “I enjoy the camaraderie and the support that Tuck provides doctors with to continue education, stay on top of industry trends, and work together to provide a continuum of care across offices.”
Susan always knew she wanted to be in the medical field, but in college, she just wasn’t quite sure what. After doing some research, she stumbled upon evidence that chiropractic could help people with severe, frequent headaches – something she struggled with herself. After trying out the treatments herself, she knew that this was the route she wanted to take. Since then, she’s been changing people’s lives and helping them solve problems that they’ve suffered with for years.
“I never get bored with chiropractic because everyone’s problem is a little bit different,” she says. “I like the challenge of figuring out what’s wrong and how I can help them. Enabling someone to have a pain free life is so rewarding.”
Dr. Kilmer likes to treat a wide variety of patients for that reason. In fact, she says a truly successful day is when she can treat as many patients as possible to help people walk out feeling better. That being said, she does have a soft spot for treating growing little ones.
“If you can fix a problem for a child early, you know that when they get older, they won’t suffer as an adult,” says Dr. Kilmer. She also enjoys helping pregnant and post-partum moms find relief from the back pain that often comes with motherhood.
When she’s not treating patients, Dr. Kilmer enjoys the benefits of chiropractic care herself! With activities like cycling and snow skiing, she’s very active outside of the office and thanks chiropractic care for her continued mobility.
“I used to ride horses and have personally have had a lot of injuries. My back isn’t in the best shape and if it wasn’t for chiropractic, I don’t think I’d be able to function as well as I do,” says Kilmer. “I can relate to patients when they come in with back pain and can hardly move. I have a deep empathy and understanding for what they’re going through.”
If you live in the Cave Spring or Botetourt area, Dr. Kilmer would love to help you live a better, pain-free lifestyle.