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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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How chiropractic care can treat ear infections
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How Chiropractic Care Can Treat Ear Infections

Curious How Chiropractic Care Can Treat Ear Infections?

A tale as old as time, your baby or child is inconsolable, tugging at their ear, and the symptoms are so distinct that you know exactly what is wrong before you even step foot in the pediatrician’s office. The dreaded ear infection.

Gentle and Effective Way to Treat Ear Infections

Ear infections are a very common ailment throughout childhood, with 80% of children experiencing this condition at one point or another.  Some children are even susceptible to chronic ear infections, which, as you can imagine, can be hard on both parents and kids alike.  What if we told you that chiropractic care is a gentle and effective way to treat ear infections and can even keep them from recurring? Read more

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Lacey Mundy

Meet Creekside Chiropractic Esthetician Lacey Mundy

We know many of our Creekside Chiropractic patients know this smiley face as our Front Office Technician, but did you also know she is Creekside Chiropractic’s Esthetician as well?! We thought you might like a few fun insights on our very own Lacey Mundy!

Lacey has over 10 years of skincare and medical spa experience and is a graduate of Redken’s Salon Professional Academy. She attends yearly educational seminars at the Face & Body Spa Conference and Expo and has obtained certifications for Hungarian Facial Massage, Bridal & Special Event Make-up Application, as well as Male & Female Brazilian Waxing. Read more

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Dr. Kristen Bravo

Meet Dr. Kristen Bravo

Meet Dr. Kristen Bravo, Doctor of Chiropractic and Licensed Professional Acupuncturist. Dr. Kristen joined our Creekside Chiropractic team in the spring of 2017. She is a graduate of Purdue University and Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida. Additionally, she holds an acupuncture certification through the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture and a Webster Technique Certification from International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. A Westfield, Indiana resident, Dr. Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband, her two children and her beloved Pomeranian, Blue.

Read more

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Fundraising event for Hamilton County Kids Coats

[In the News] Dr. Erin Merrill Macy | Hamilton County Kids Coats

November was a busy month for Dr. Erin Merrill Macy of downtown Sheridan’s Creekside Chiropractic. Not only did Macy host local female artisan entrepreneurs at her annual community holiday shopping bazaar, but she and her team pulled together a highly successful inaugural fundraising event for the Sheridan division of Hamilton County Kids Coats.

“There is a definite need in our community,” says Macy. “The people of Sheridan are who support our local small businesses. Banding together to give back is so important. I’m honored to be able to dive in and help in any way I can.”

Tickets for the November 4, 2017 evening of fundraising at Macy’s Studio on Main featuring local fare from Young’s Kitchen, a silent auction and games of chance sold out in just a few days. Macy had hopes of raising enough to fund coats, hats and mittens for 150 local youth in need. Thanks to event attendees, numerous local sponsors (R & T Tire, Blackhawk Winery, His and Hers Target Sports, Integrity Network Solutions, Hamilton Tax and Accounting, Butts Landscaping, Smith’s Jewelers and more) and donations, she was able to exceed her goal by almost double.

On November 11, 2017 Hamilton County Kids Coats, Santa and the Grinch arrived at the Sheridan Community Center to share Christmas cheer and help local families stay warm this winter. Due to the funds raised through the inaugural fundraising event more Sheridan families were able to receive assistance this year than ever before.

It’s never too late to stay warm. Local Hamilton County families who are still in need of a warm winter coat, hat or gloves, may call 317-324-8818 for assistance.

About Hamilton County Kids Coats:
Hamilton County Kids Coats is an interfaith mission in Hamilton County, Indiana, who collects donated new and used coats and other winter wear and gives them out to local families in need every November.

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