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Bug Off!
By: Dr. Meagan McGowan

There’s no better time of year than now to be having fun outside from sun-up to sun down!  Unfortunately treating the pesky bug bites can become a necessary addition to the daily routine as bugs are most prevalent at dawn and dusk.  Bug sprays, like many other conventional products used on our skin contain less than favorable ingredients.  Thankfully essential oils can be used as a natural plant derived alternative.  

Conventional repellents are made of a mix of active and inert ingredients.  The active ingredients are listed on the label and most often the inert ingredients are not.  DEET, Permethrin, and Cyfluthrin are most commonly read on these labels, all of which are considered neurotoxic. Neurotoxicity, meaning harmful to the nervous system and altering its overall function, is an ever growing concern due to the amount of chemical exposure we are subject to daily.  Bug repellent is heavily absorbed by the skin, especially when used in combination with sunscreen.  In animal studies, DEET has even been found to cross the placenta.  This is very concerning!

For a more comprehensive look at these ingredients, visit https://www.madesafe.org/education/chemicals-bug-repellent/

An easy DIY alternative.

Many essential oils have repellent properties and used in combination together can be a safe, beautifully smelling alternative!  

Recipe:

  • 2 oz spray bottle
  • Citronella EO – 10 drops
  • Peppermint EO – 10 drops
  • Lavender EO – 10 drops
  • Lemongrass EO – 10 drops
  • Fill remainder of bottle with witch hazel

If you are new to essential oils or need to restock some of your favorites, call the office. We are happy to help!

Our Personal Journey: The Connection Between Our Oral Motor Function and Overall Health.

Our Personal Journey: The Connection Between Our Oral Motor Function and Overall Health.
By: Dr. Meagan McGowan

Over the next several months our family will share our experience as we take a deep dive into improving some of our most tedious health challenges.  In a multi-part series, we will share our journey as we heavily focus on our oldest son Briggs and how his struggle with allergies has become a catalyst for all of us to take a deep look into the connection between our oral motor function and overall health.  

A quick step back in time so you understand our ‘Why’.

Briggs’ was a very healthy 9.8oz baby, born in the comforts of our home, now 8 years ago!  As a first time Mom I read everything, exposed myself to all versions of prenatal support, happily learned and swapped out personal care and household products, ate well, moved well, and mentally prepared myself for my invitation into parenthood.  I was determined (and still am!) to give this child the greatest foundation of health, all that I can influence anyhow.  Briggs thrived as a baby which seemed only appropriate for the efforts invested while I was pregnant.

….Then I was introduced to the feelings housed in my Mommy gut.  I kept hearing that term referenced as those instincts you don’t know you have until you sign up to care for a small human!

Feeding was going well by measurement of numbers.  He was gaining weight, eating the appropriate amount for his stage of development, however his latch was exceedingly uncomfortable.  He spit up with every burp which at times took a minimum of 15 minutes.  He wouldn’t successfully latch again until he burped.  Again as a new Mom I thought we were in the early stages of young mechanics and his mouth just needed to mature.  After a few weeks we would be in the clear.  That wasn’t the case and at 3 months I inquired for the first time about his mouth recognizing how thick his upper lip frenulum was.  The two qualified providers inspected, however did not feel it was severe or contributory enough to put him through unnecessary intervention and discomfort.  On our way we went.  Eventually he must have compensated well enough because his latch no longer hurt, he took on solids like a champ, and seemed like all was well. 

At around 12 months I inquired again about the frenulum beneath his upper lip.  The space between his two front teeth was considerable and the tissue was connecting to the underside of his upper gum.  This time I was told the same, it wasn’t severe enough to put him through such discomfort.  Wait and see if it becomes an orthodontic issue,   they’ll take care of it then. 

As Chiropractors we are aware of some of the negative effects of sustained oral ties in children, affecting their ability to eat, speak, and swallow, as well as possibly contributing to focus and coordination issues.  Briggs displayed none of these.  We were not aware or told of the longstanding issues that sustained oral ties could be contributing to: his poor breathing, poor sleep, inflammation and allergies, and now crowded teeth and narrowed jaw.  

Now looking back at pictures of his swollen eyes starting at the age of 3, listening to videos of his nasal sounding voice, his then little body was expending so much more energy to function because of the inflammation he couldn’t get rid of.  We were very frustrated because no matter our effort nothing seemed to help him.  

Like most, we initially pigeonholed his symptoms to seasonal inflammation.  Then we expanded our reasoning to allergies in general, because his symptoms were outside the seasonal time frame.  We thought he must intermittently be exposed to something he’s sensitive to because his swelling and inflammation would come and go.  Year after year our plan would shift–  supplements for preventative measures, then maybe we threw off the ratios of the immune system trying too many preventative measures, so then we’d back off, food elimination, washing hands after petting an animal, testing for mold sensitivity, etc. etc.  

As health conscious as Briggs has become through his own fruition, his suffering remains the same.  Congestion, productive sneezes causing him to run for tissues, dark circles under his eyes, head and neck extended while sleeping, breathing heavy and labored while sleeping, nightmares and wakeful sleep, and now cavities.  CAVITIES!  In the boy who brushes, flosses, drinks only water, eats whole organic foods and could care less about carbs and sweets, he was defeated, I was defeated.  How do you explain to your kid who willingly contributes to his health, consciously everyday on his own, that it seemingly isn’t good enough, you still have cavities.  Then to listen to the mainstream Dentist tell him he just has to do more of the same plus maybe this treatment (this toxic treatment) to protect his teeth was infuriating.  It was then I decided to take matters into my own hands.  After an incredible conversation with a friend who was sharing similar frustrations with her son, and a whole lot of research, we have started down a path that has our family excited to invest our time and efforts into true measures that will help Briggs, and now maybe my husband Matt, and our newborn daughter Navy!

Stay tuned for details of Briggs’ treatment plan, including where and with who, as well as what we have done for Navy.  As a bonus, see what Matt is looking into for his long standing struggles! 

 

“Why we chose Waveblock”
By. Dr. Melissa Sonners

Hey moms,

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m constantly juggling and doing my best to balance our kids’ exposure to technology.

Although I don’t love them being on iPads, iPods, computer games etc, I do also realize this is and will continue to be a big part of their world.  We give our kids (age appropriate) authority in making their decisions allowing them to have a sense of control, freedom and engage in critical thinking.   If there is something they’re interested in, we have conversations and listen to them on why they’re interested in it, why they think they’re mature for it and what healthy boundaries they’ll create around it. 

Recently, Levi has been wanting wireless earbuds.  We spend a decent amount of time on airplanes and our phones unfortunately no longer have headphone jacks.  On a recent cross country flight, he forgot his headphone adapter which is what prompted this conversation.  

Earbuds emit high levels of EMF/radiation.  Although it is still unknown exactly HOW exposure to high levels of EMF impacts us, there is emerging evidence that these can contribute to a variety of malignant tumors.  Although more studies are needed, some researchers feel there’s already enough evidence of harm from long-term, low-level exposure that EMF’s should be classified as a Group 1 known carcinogen.  Kids are especially sensitive to these EMF’s due to the rapid development of their brain and nervous systems.  

EMF’s are also suspected to contribute to: 

-Sleep disturbances

-Headaches

-Depression

-Irritability 

-Tinnitus (ringing in ear) 

& more 

Although Levi made some great points on why he deserves earbuds, this was a NO for us due to all of the above.  His determination led him to some searches on the internet looking for a solution and he came across Waveblock.

Waveblock has created an anti-radiation sticker that has been lab tested and proven to block the majority of EMF’s from earbuds.  

The founder of the company is a father of three and went on a mission to create a solution after realizing other countries limit EMF in nurseries and schools because of the impact they have, particularly on children.   

So we reached out to them and asked if we could try out their products.  We instantly tested the earbud wraps with our EMF meter and sure enough, the majority of the EMF’s were blocked! 

We were very surprised to also see that earbuds with waveblock on them created LESS exposure than a cellphone to the ear.  

So, Levi now has earbuds and is super happy- although he is only allowed to use them in extreme moderation, we feel at peace knowing his exposure is low. 

The products were so easy to apply, he did it himself and they didn’t negatively impact any sound quality or other features of the earbuds.  

If you haven’t already, check them out.  They have a variety of great products.  We also got the protective sticker for the back of our cellphones.  

https://www.waveblock.com/?rfsn=6669409.2632ad9&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6669409.2632ad9

Their prices are super affordable and you can also use our code SONNERS15 for a discount.

Let us know what you think!