What are you hopeful for this year?
Much like the rest of our world, I’m hoping we can move past this viral pandemic. At the same time, I hope we don’t forget the benefits we have found in spending more time with family and getting outdoors for fresh air.
What are three easy changes people can make to live healthier in 2021?
1. Drink. One of the easiest ways to feel better and be healthier is to drink more water. Most of us do not replenish what our bodies dispose of through sweat, urinating, and even just talking and breathing. I recommend a minimum of 48 ounces daily for the average person who minimally exercises. 2. Walk. Everyone sets goals to run a 5k or a marathon or compete in a triathlon, but if a person would just take the time after dinner that they normally spend in front of the TV and go for a brisk walk, they would improve digestion, increase metabolism, and boost their cardiovascular wellness. 3. Take breaks. People are spending more time in front of the video screens resulting in increased neck and back pain. Our posture changes sitting in front of a computer all day. Get up every 30 minutes to stretch and move around for just one or two minutes. Stop staring at the screen for hours putting stress on your spine. Your body will thank you for it.
Can you dispel any misconceptions about seeing a chiropractor?
My career has been spent dispelling misconceptions about chiropractic! A fear campaign was spread by the medical community that continues to linger. However, many chiropractors now work with medical doctors, and the medical research is showing the benefit of chiropractic. Spinal manipulation, which is the forte of chiropractors, is now recommended for acute lower back pain. We are often the last resort when our treatment should be the first option.
Why did you choose to become a chiropractor?
It became an option when I hated my engineering classes at Texas A&M. Playing sports in high school, getting chiropractic treatment helped keep me on the field and court, and when I realized I couldn’t sit in front of a computer all day, I decided helping people stay healthy and active would be a great way to spend my life. As a cross country runner, the abilities of the human body intrigued me, and this profession has allowed me to investigate it and help others test it.
What are some of the benefits of a chiropractic adjustment?
The adjustment restores normal motion into the joints of the spine (and extremities). In doing so, it improves mobility in the spine and the patient. It also provides significant pain relief – from back pain, neck pain, and headaches, especially.
How do I know I need an adjustment?
For those who have been to a chiropractor, they notice when they aren’t performing like before or start to feel pain return. If you have never been to a chiropractor, you may not know when you need an adjustment. Most of my patients come in because of pain. Many have seen their primary care doctor and been given medications, but they aren’t helping. Others are looking for a more natural approach to their healthcare needs. We take a complete history and perform an examination to first determine what is causing the pain. If an adjustment is needed, the exam will reveal it.
What’s something a lot of people might not know about you?
In 1998, I injured my lower back while in Moscow, Russia. My hand slipped while trying to do a pull-up, and I landed on my back. I lost the ability to raise my left foot and had stabbing pain down my left leg. When I got home, I started getting adjustments and rehabbing myself from what I had learned in chiropractic school. I now lift weights 3-4 times per week and have run in three half-marathons. Also, I have gotten much better at pull-ups. I say this so that those who have similar low back problems can feel hopeful that they are not resigned to a life of pain and limitations.
I understand you recently adopted children. Tell me about your growing family.
Yes, we recently legally consummated our three youngest being a part of our family, though we have seen them as such for much longer. We also have three older children. Our oldest is currently working on his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University. He got married in our living room during this pandemic. Our oldest daughter is a sophomore at Oklahoma Wesleyan University where she plays collegiate soccer and is working on a psychology degree. The third is a sophomore in high school. She is homeschooled, as all our children are. The younger three are a bundle of energy that have my wife and me preparing to start all over in scouts and sports and whatever fancies their interest.
Paul A. Wilmon, DC
Fairfield Chiropractic
16341 Mueschke Rd #200
(281) 256-8100
"I decided helping people stay healthy and active would be a great way to spend my life."
