Meet Creekside Chiropractic’s Morgan Leonard

Here at Creekside Chiropractic, we are dedicated to providing wellness for both the body and spirit, with specializations in pain management and total body health. Assisting our Dr. Erin L. Merrill, D.C., Chiropractic Assistant Morgan Leonard rooms our clients and performs K-Laser procedures to help with drug-free pain management for both chronic pain and sudden injury. 

Using her degree in exercise science, Morgan demonstrates exercises and stretches which can help clients’ mobility and encourage the body’s ability to heal. As we continue our series on getting to know our Creekside team better, we’re sharing some fun facts about Morgan Leonard!

Meet Creekside Chiropractic Assistant Morgan Leonard:

  • Morgan LeonardYears in the field: It’s been just a little over a year now working at Creekside. I majored in Exercise Science at Franklin College and did my senior internship at Creekside Chiropractic in 2020! 
  • What is your favorite whole-body health feature at Creekside? The Infrared Sauna!! So many awesome benefits!
  • What is your favorite Indiana season and why? Winter!! I love the snow and being able to bundle up in warm clothes with a cup of my grandma’s homemade hot chocolate. 
  • If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have? I would like to be invisible! 
  • What is your favorite way to kick off a Monday? My favorite way to kick off a Monday is by going to the gym and getting a nice sweat sesh in! 
  • What’s your favorite thing to “binge-watch”? I would have to say either “The Vampire Diaries” or “New Girl!!” So hard to pick just one. 
  • Tell us why you LOVE to work at Creekside: To name a few reasons why I love to work at Creekside: 1) The people I work with and the super fun environment! 2) The patients and being able to watch their road to recovery. 3) I love being able to be myself and be able to use what I learned in college and apply it to the work I do every day. 

If you’d like to learn more about working with Dr. Erin on your chronic pain or healing journey from a sudden injury, we’d love to assist you. Conveniently located in Sheridan, Indiana, our practice is just minutes from Noblesville, Westfield, Carmel and Indianapolis. Contact us today at 317-753-5550 to schedule your next appointment.

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Vitamin D and Sun Safety

With a growing number of people with vitamin D deficiencies, and the threat of skin damage, Vitamin D and sun safety can be confusing topics. Should you use sunscreen to avoid skin damage? Or should you avoid sunscreen so your body can start generating its own vitamin D? If you do use sunscreen, which one is best? What about all the chemicals? If you can’t get enough D from the sun, should you supplement? If so, which supplement should you choose?

It’s a lot to think about. Let us help simplify vitamin D and sun safety.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is touted for its immune boosting properties and has even been recommended by some doctors as part of a prevention or treatment option for current viral infections plaguing the world. The cheapest, easiest and most effective way to increase your vitamin D is to sit in the sun WITHOUT sunscreen. But let’s not go crazy. Too much direct sunlight is not good for the skin. So, we recommend 10-20 minutes a day in direct sunlight, exposing as much skin as possible.

Vitamin D Supplements

When you just can’t get enough sun, especially in the colder months, a vitamin D supplement can be a good addition to your daily routine. When choosing a supplement, look for vitamin D3, which is better absorbed than its synthetic cousin, D2. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, it’s also important to have your levels tested periodically and choose a supplement with K2, which reduces toxicity and calcification by directing calcium to areas of the body where it’s needed, like bones and teeth, and away from areas where it shouldn’t be, including your soft tissues and arteries.

We recommend OrthoMolecular’s Vitamin K2 with D3, which we can order directly for you.

Sunscreen

When planning a day in the sun, sunscreen should be on the mind. But if there ever was a landmine of conflicting recommendations this would be it. The sunscreen market is flooded with products containing harmful ingredients, many of which build up in the body, cause systemic problems and are not very effective in protecting the skin from more subtle damage from UVA rays.

According to Dr. Josh Axe, it’s important to note that even among more natural, mineral-based products, there is no perfect sunscreen.

So, we recommend applying a simple zinc oxide-based sunscreen about 30 minutes prior to going outside.  According to the Environmental Working Group’s 15th annual Guide to Sunscreens, zinc oxide is generally recommended as safe and effective. However, it has some limitations and is best mixed with other ingredients for more effective protection. To find the right product for your family, check out this list of top sunscreens for every occasion, or get the kids involved in making your own with this simple recipe.

Sun Overexposure

Even with the best of intentions, sunburns happen. When those unfortunate evens occur, we recommend lots of hydration, moisturizing with pure aloe vera gel and unrefined coconut oil and considering ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and pain.

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Five Easy Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

You’ve dodged Rona all year, but seasonal allergies just might take you down. The good news is that we have Five Easy Remedies for Seasonal Allergies that you can start using right now.

Local Raw Honey

This is when shopping local matters because the bees go from plant to plant, picking up small amounts of pollen from the same plants you’re allergic to. We recommend eating a tablespoon of local raw honey every day to help your body build a tolerance to the pollen in your area. You can eat it straight from the spoon, put it in your smoothies or add some to a cup of hot soothing tea. (Check out Eagle Creek Apiary in Sheridan for some delicious varieties.)

Supplements

Consider adding Natural D-hist from Ortho Molecular to your vitamin protocol. This low-risk supplement is packed with a blend of vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain, stinging nettles, and N-acetyl cysteine, which work together to battle seasonal allergies and promote healthy sinus and nasal passages. It is available in both capsules and chewables for children, but should only be purchased by a reputable provider to ensure quality. Contact us directly to order yours.

Nasal Flushes

We know it doesn’t sound fun and we’re not going to lie and say that it is. However, by safely cleaning out the sinuses with a sterile saline rinse, true magical relief can be found for seasonal allergies. Plus, it’s super inexpensive and easy to do. The Netti Pot is the most recognizable brand, but we also like the Neil Med Sinus Rinse Kit for its ease of use. Go with what works best for you and make sure to follow the instructions by sterilizing your device before each use and only using clean distilled water.

Spice Things Up

Delicious food as medicine is not a bad way to go. Because spicy foods help thin and clear mucus from the sinuses, a jar of Red Jalapeno Mustard from Sheridan’s LocalFolks Foods might be just what you need to battle seasonal allergies. So indulge a little and get your nose and eyes running to clear out the gunk.

Chiropractic Care

An allergic response is created when the immune system recognizes a foreign object as harmful and goes haywire trying to attack it. What comes next is a cascade of inflammatory substances (namely cortisol and histamine) that trigger the symptoms of seasonal allergies. By correcting misalignments with regular and specific chiropractic adjustments, the body will come into balance and work more efficiently to battle these invaders.

 

Dr. Erin Merrill-Macy of Sheridan’s Creekside Chiropractic Can Help with Seasonal Allergies

If you or your family suffer from mild to moderate seasonal allergies, consider bringing them in for a visit. Dr. Erin Merrill-Macy can treat both children and adults and serves patients from Sheridan, Noblesville, Westfield, Carmel, Tipton, Zionsville, Whitestown, Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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Meet Dr. Erin Merrill-Macy: Sheridan’s Hometown Chiropractor

Do you try to stay informed on health and wellness but get flustered with conflicting information that seems out of touch? Or maybe you’ve been dealing with pain that doesn’t seem to improve no matter what you try. It’s times like these that make you wish you had a friend who could help wade through some of it….someone you know and trust. Meet, Dr. Erin Merrill-Macy, Sheridan’s hometown chiropractor.

As a life-long resident of Sheridan, Indiana, Erin earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Butler University and is a chiropractic graduate of Palmer College. But, it’s what she’s done with her education and entrepreneurial spirit that makes her Sheridan’s hometown chiropractor.

With the world at her feet, Erin opened Creekside Chiropractic on Sheridan’s Main Street with a passion to reinvest in the town that helped shape her. And, it’s that hometown approach that endears her to so many of her patients. If you’re not a friend coming in, you soon will be.

So, as Erin learns more about you, we want to share some fun facts about her.

  • In addition to hosting an annual Holiday Open House for local makers and small businesses, Erin has served as a member of the Sheridan Chamber of Commerce as well as the Sheridan FFA.
  • As a working mom, Dull’s Tree Farm holds a special place in her heart not only for the memories made with the kids, but also because Dull’s served as the backdrop for her wedding.
  • While following the keto diet, Erin loves Factor Meals, water and all things cauliflower. However, while she has a soft spot for the occasional apple cider slush, avocados are a hard pass for her. (Not even guacamole!)
  • Erin is a Certified Medical Examiner and a Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. So she can adjust your spine, complete your DOT physical AND make sure your car seats are installed correctly.
  • At one point she owned 100 pairs of jeans and continues to be on a first name basis with the employees at Buckle.
  • When not serving the residents in and around Sheridan, Erin and her crew stay busy with swim lessons, horseback riding, trips to the park and Kiwi Crates for rainy days. But when it’s time for self-care, you can find Erin practicing hot yoga or enjoying a dinner date with her husband at their favorite, Kazan Steakhouse.

We could go on and on about all the things that make Dr. Erin Merrill-Macy special as Sheridan’s hometown chiropractor, but we have to save something for you to talk about at your next appointment. Give us a call to set your next appointment and learn more about Erin and the rest of the team at Creekside Chiropractic.

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Protect your Back While Working from Home

Well, here we are again. More and more businesses and schools are moving to either a fulltime or hybrid model for working from home. We’ve been there already. Some of us have been there since March. And a lot of us are feeling the strain, wondering if winter snow days will make this an even more regular occurrence.

While we’d never suggest changing out of your comfy clothes while working from home, we do have some tips for keeping your spine in check while adjusting to this new(ish) environment. It might be tempting to grab the laptop and curl up on the couch for the day’s work. It does seem to be the most comfortable option. But it could actually do more damage to your spinal alignment. Instead, Dr. Erin suggests working toward setting up a dedicated work space in your home with the following tips.

Tips for Protecting your Back While Working from Home:

Lumbar Support

Investing in a good quality office chair with lumbar support is ideal, but not always realistic, especially if multiple family members are working from home. Instead, you can use a small pillow or roll a towel and place it between your lower back and the chair to increase comfort and support your spinal alignment.

Check Those Elbows

With your shoulders relaxed, your elbows should be at 90 degrees to your workstation.

Laptop Placement

It seems counterintuitive, but if using a laptop, avoid working with it on your lap for long stretches of time. Instead, place your computer on a stand or pile of books, and if possible, use a separate keyboard and mouse to ensure they’re also at the correct height.

Set The Right Height

Set your computer station so that the top third of your screen is at eye level to ensure that your upper body is not hunched over.

Get Moving

Moving is just as important as the way you sit. Make sure you and the kids are getting up every half hour or so to stretch, walk around a bit and generally shake out the cobwebs.

 

Of course, even with the best workstation, a change in environment and an increased sedentary lifestyle can still leave your spine a bit out of whack. So make sure to keep up with your regular chiropractic adjustments and feel free to contact us for more tips and information.

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Shop Local with Creekside’s Annual Holiday Open House

Shop local and join Sheridan’s Creekside Chiropractic on Wednesday November 11, 2020 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. for our 10th Annual Holiday Open House. A few tweaks have been made to accommodate social distancing, while some vendors will provide virtual shopping. But not to worry, light refreshments and festive holiday snacks will still be on-hand. So make this your #supportlocal one stop shop this holiday season.

This fun-filled night of local artisan holiday shopping will include selections from local small businesses such as:

  • Heather’s Heavenly Hues
  • LinJen Creations
  • The Little Fleece Shop
  • Jill Creates Handcrafted Nests and Keepsakes
  • Zukes Cave
  • Chef Karyn
  • Crafty-ish Creations
  • On LindleyHill
  • Lady Mae’s Boutique
  • Bushels Blessings
  • Usborne Books & More
  • Young Living
  • Blackhawk Winery
  • Avon
  • Pampered Chef
  • Rustic Roots Artistry
  • LVLY Creations
  • Tupperware
  • Primarily Pallets
  • Bales Photography
  • Legacy Images
  • Nook Puzzles
  • Berg Woodworking
  • Macy Art
  • Vantel Pearls
  • Thirty-One
  • Redeemed Treasures
  • and more!

“I love being able to provide a fun space for our annual holiday shopping open house and support local female entrepreneurs in our community. Supporting each other and shopping local is so important in our local communities,” said Dr. Erin Merrill Macy.

Keep an eye on our facebook event for more details as they are released and feel free to DM us if your company is interested in participating.

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Understanding Infrared Saunas

What’s the Hype with Infrared Saunas?

Saunas and other heat therapies have been a part of maintaining health in many cultures for thousands of years. But when people typically think of saunas, they envision a steam room of sorts that creates a hot, sweaty experience. While these types of saunas are still popular, we’d like to introduce you to the newer guy in town… the infrared sauna.

Unlike your traditional steam room experience, the infrared sauna emits infrared light that is absorbed by the surface of the skin, heating the body directly and causing a rise in core temperature rather than overheating the room. This results in a deep, relaxing and detoxifying sweat.

What are the Benefits of Infrared Saunas Combined with Chiropractic Care?

1) Detoxification – As chiropractic therapy works to improve full body wellness, sweating is the body’s safest and most natural way to release toxins.

2) Relaxation and General Wellbeing – We know that Chiropractic Therapy can Help with Stress, Anxiety and Depression. But, researchers from Nishi Kyusyu University in Japan found that the relaxing benefits of heat treatment, such as infrared sauna, could actually work better when combined with other holistic treatments such as chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic massages and mental health counseling.

3) Treating Chronic Health Conditions – Chiropractic care works to bring the body into alignment so it can operate at its peak. By coupling that care with infrared sauna therapy, one can add an additional layer of attack against conditions such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, headache, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Mayo Clinic.

4) Weight Loss – As the body works to cool itself, there is a substantial increase in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories, while providing the mental clarity one gains from a mild workout.

5) Pain Relief – Infrared sauna therapy works by penetrating tissue, joints, and muscles to increase circulation and decrease inflammation. Therefore, pain management professionals often rely on infrared sauna therapy to relieve anything from minor aches and pains to muscle spasms and chronic pain conditions.

Aside from being one of the safest and most effective healing methods, the benefits of infrared therapy can be felt in as little as 15-20 minutes, with little to no side effects. To learn more, contact us today or ask at your next visit to see how your wellness plan can be improved with infrared sauna therapy.

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Chiropratic Care for Stress

How can Chiropractic Therapy Help with Stress, Anxiety and Depression?

Rona is wreaking havoc on our emotional wellbeing. Whether it’s the debates on whose information is more correct, the fear for our loved ones, or the continuous lifestyle changes we’ve been thrust into. Hey, a lot of us are still not used to all the roundabouts! We get it. And we want you to know how chiropractic therapy can help with stress, anxiety and depression.

Chiropractic Therapy for Improving Mental Health

When the body is in distress, the mind follows.

By addressing imbalances within the nervous system, personalized and targeted chiropractic therapy can help bring the body back into alignment for whole body healing.

Beat the cycle.

The symptoms of stress include muscle tension, headaches, digestive distress, insomnia and more. Then in an ironic twist, these same symptoms can exacerbate feelings of stress, depression and anxiety. Chiropractic care can help alleviate the physical symptoms, giving your body AND mind a sense of relief.

Speak to the heart.

According to a study in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, patients found a reduction in pulse rates and a balancing of blood pressure after receiving chiropractic therapy.

A little self care goes a long way.

Coupled with a therapeutic massage or a relaxing session in the infrared sauna, chiropractic therapy can help with the release of positive hormones and promote better sleep.

Chiropractors can work within a multidisciplinary approach.

Similar to Medical Doctors (MDs,) chiropractors spend at least four years earning their Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree and a state license. This is often followed by extensive continuing education, learning about subjects like anatomy, physiology, nutrition and holistic health. This knowledge and training allows chiropractors to work with an individual’s team of doctors and therapists to craft a specialized approach for the best possible results.

Coping with stress, anxiety and depression is hard; and there are a lot of opinions on the best courses of actions. At Creekside Chiropractic, we believe every person responds differently and aim to work alongside our contemporary and alternative colleagues to give our patients the best possible outcome.

 

When you’re ready, contact us to learn how we can help in a minimally invasive and effective way.

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COVID-19 Update Creekside Chiropractic

COVID-19 Information/Update 3.12.2020

Dear Creekside Chiropractic Families:

Re: COVID-19 Information/Update 3.12.2020

Like many of you, Creekside Chiropractic is concerned about the occurrence of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and continues to monitor the recommendations and protocols established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our local health department.

As we respond to the ever-changing environment, it is the safety of our patients and staff that remains our highest priority. Additionally, we remain committed to providing you convenient and affordable chiropractic care.

As a precautionary measure, we have implemented increased hygiene routines, monitoring protocols and are following procedures outlined by healthcare organizations and leading authorities within the chiropractic profession.

We recommend patients follow guidelines issued by the CDC, and if you are feeling unwell, please take steps to safeguard others and remain at home. You can follow this link for additional information from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

And remember … when your spine is aligned, your immunity is boosted. Make sure to keep your routine chiropractic care appointments.

Sincerely,

The Creekside Chiropractic Team

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Chiropractic Care for Heartburn

Chiropractic and Other Natural Remedies for Heartburn

Recent reports have indicated that common heartburn medicines like Ranitidine (name brand Zantac) are being discontinued or outright banned in some countries due to possible carcinogens. While it’s been reported that the levels of this component (NDMA) are low, there is still cause for concern as a more in-depth investigation is underway.

If you’re one of the more than 60 million Americans who experience acid reflux at least once a month, you’re probably wondering what to do. At Creekside, we favor chiropractic care and other natural remedies for heartburn, which are less invasive approaches that have far fewer chances for side effects.

What is heartburn?

Other terms for this condition include acid reflux, sour stomach, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcer disease. Common symptoms include that tell-tale burning feeling behind the breastbone, but can also include bloat, burping or flatulence, acidic taste in the mouth, regurgitation, and more.

How can chiropractic care help with heartburn?

Generally speaking, a chiropractor will work to help you achieve optimum health by freeing you of the dysfunction and restriction that prevents your body from performing optimally. We work to bring the whole body into alignment to promote general wellbeing

More specifically, chiropractic therapy can help with heartburn by:

  • Realigning your spine to take stress off the nerves and allow them to once again function properly.
  • Strengthening the spinal muscles through adjustments to relieve pressure from the stomach.
  • Correcting joint dysfunctions or restrictions that can help ensure proper function of the whole body.
  • Reducing hiatal hernias, which are a leading cause of indigestion.

What are some other natural remedies for heartburn?

To avoid possible adverse effects or interactions with other medications and supplements, we recommend talking to your doctor before starting any new supplements. But, we have found that patients can often experience relief from the following remedies combined a comprehensive approach to wellness, including regular adjustments and a sensible diet.

  • Consider taking digestive enzymes before each meal.
  • Add fermented foods or probiotics to your daily routine.
  • Aloe juice has many medicinal benefits, including improved digestive health. Try drinking a little every day. But note that it can have a laxative effect, so start slowly.
  • Drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to alleviate the symptoms of heartburn and improve the acid levels in your stomach.
  • Ginger works as an anti-inflammatory, but also tightens your lower esophageal sphincter, thus preventing acid from refluxing. Sip on a cup of ginger tea at least 20 minutes before eating.

Ready to get a handle on your digestive issues? Give us a call to schedule an appointment and learn more about how Creekside Chiropractic can help.

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