Mental Health

How does Acupuncture Work?

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acupunctureWhen I recommend acupuncture, one of the most common questions I get is “how does acupuncture work or how will it help?”. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to aid with so many different health concerns. Over the course of that time, many studies have been conducted to determine how this therapy causes effect, and what it can be used for. The following presents a list of both actions that can take place in the body and the potential conditions or symptoms it can help to alleviate.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture works via many different pathways which cause:

  • Release of endorphins – resulting in decreased pain
  • Relaxation of muscle
  • Stimulation of neuronal activity and brain tissue
  • Secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters
  • Promotes blood flow
  • Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which causes reduced stress

What Can Acupuncture Help with?

Acupuncture can help with many surprising conditions/symptoms including:

  • Pain – joint and muscle
  • Arthritis – including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout
  • Muscle tension
  • Sports injuries
  • Stress
  • Fertility
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches/ Migraines
  • Insomnia
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • Coughs and colds
  • Asthma
  • Sinusitis
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • TMJ syndrome
  • Tinnitus
  • Smoking cessation
  • Heartburn
  • Digestive disturbances such as constipation and diarrhea
  • Concerns during pregnancy
  • To ease discomfort and aid during delivery

How Does Dr. Elisha Cook ND Use Acupuncture?

My approach to acupuncture is based more on Chinese medicine than on Western medicine. What I mean by this is that I do not simply put a needle where it hurts, but rather look at the body as a whole and attempt to support the whole system. As I often tell my patients, you are not your disease and you need to be treated as such. This implies that you are a unique individual with unique presentations results in you needing certain points over others. So for example, two individuals come to me looking for acupuncture for fertility. I will not use the exact same points on these two individuals and the points chosen will not be only around the stomach/uterus area. I also do not use solely acupuncture on a patient. In my opinion, it is best to use the acupuncture while allowing diet, lifestyle, botanicals, and supplements to boost deficient areas. However, all of this is determined at the patient’s comfort level and I work with you where you are at (for example if you only want acupuncture, then we only do acupuncture).

If you are interested in trying acupuncture, feel free to contact the clinic by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

 

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

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petsSome people choose to have pets for companionship and/or for work related purposes, while others choose to not have any at all. Many debate whether the stress of owning a pet is really worth all of the extra effort. The answer to this question is really dependent on the individual, but I will choose to focus on the potential positive outcomes that may come from owning a pet. Just because there are positive health benefits to owning a pet does not mean that just anyone should go out and get a dog/cat/fish/lizard/etc. Owning a pet requires commitment, patience, budgeting, and so much more. Also worth mentioning is that much of the research conferring that pets offer health benefits is based off of owning a cat or a dog. This does not mean that there are not any health benefits to owning fish, lizards, or other pets; but there may be different health benefits than those listed below. For example, there has been quite a bit of research behind fish tanks and how having one can actually decrease stress, promote relaxation and even decrease behavioural distress in children.

Owning a cat/dog can decrease:

  • Blood pressure by being in the same room as a pet or even just petting them
  • Cholesterol through even just petting your pet
  • Triglycerides
  • Feelings of loneliness
  • Risk of developing allergies in children by 33% but this is dependent on age and research is a bit mixed.
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Risk of being or becoming obese (if you walk your dog and do not leave it to someone else)
  • Anxiety or behavioural distress in children
  • Doctor’s visits
  • Sick days

Owning a cat/dog can increase

  • Socialization
  • Chances for activity
  • Immune system strength
  • Recovery post – cardiovascular event
  • Empathy in children without siblings
  • Self – esteem in children without siblings
  • Participation in social and physical activities in children without siblings

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References:

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/

http://center4research.org/healthy-living-prevention/pets-and-health-the-impact-of-companion-animals/

http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/benefits-of-pets/

 

Grounding or Earthing and How it can Help You

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earthing-groundingGrounding or Earthing is a technique that has been practiced traditionally by many cultures, and some even practice it today without recognizing the therapeutic value it has to offer.

Grounding/Earthing

In terms of electricity, grounding involves the connection of an electrical conductor to the earth. As humans, we can hold charges and so, can be considered an electrical conductor as well. With that being said, grounding ourselves, i.e. placing our bodies in direct contact with the earth, can be beneficial. Some individuals choose to expose their whole bodies to the earth, but the benefits of earthing can be seen with just placing one’s bare feet in contact with the earth. Some organizations have made various mechanisms to connect blankets and the individual with the earth via cords etc., but for those less inclined to technology, walking barefoot on the earth is sufficient.

Benefits of Grounding/Earthing

  • Increases white blood cells (factors that improve immune system functioning)
  • Decreases inflammation
  • Decreases pain
  • Decreases blood clotting
  • Decreases cardiovascular risk
  • Normalizes sleep and circadian rhythm
  • Decreases stress
  • Decreases tension
  • Increases relaxation
  • Improves mood and sleep quality
  • Decreases blood sugar

How much is enough

The benefits of earthing can be seen in just as little as 30 minutes of barefoot walking. However, any time spent out in nature can be beneficial. For more information on what the health benefits of simply being in nature, please see my previous blog: https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/nature-cure-health-benefits-of-nature/

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

References

http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=58836

http://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2016/undergraduate/15/

http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2011.0820

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James_Oschman/publication/274644091_The_effects_of_grounding_earthing_on_inflammation_the_immune_response_wound_healing_and_prevention_and_treatment_of_chronic_inflammatory_and_autoimmune_diseases/links/555b14d708ae6fd2d8286cd1.pdf

 

5 Ways to Practice Self-Care

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Busy smiling businesswoman holding a laptop and lifting a dumbbeToday’s society is very go, go, go, and often, we leave ourselves to last due to the demands of life itself. This can leave us feeling burnt out, tired, drained, and overwhelmed. When we over burden ourselves and drive ourselves to the point of exhaustion, it can be difficult to bounce back. By practicing some “Self-care” every day, it can help to prevent this breaking point.

5 Ways to Practice Self-Care

  1. Eat Well – your gut can be the gateway to overall health. By eating right, you can help your stress, mood, energy, sleep and overall health.
  2. Exercise – exercise can be a great outlet for stress and aid with overall health. In addition, exercise can give you the energy you need to help meet your list of demands.
  3. Ask for Help – Asking for help is not easy for a lot of people, but can make a big difference when you are feeling overwhelmed. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. However, it does provide you with the potential for more support when you need it most. Asking for help may also include going to see a health care professional, such as myself a Naturopathic Doctor, to help you with stress, work-life balance, pain, mood, energy etc.
  4. Pace Yourself – Many people rush to get things done saying that there is not enough hours in the day, there is too much to do, etc. If you constantly run in 5th gear, you may find that you are worn out much quicker. Pacing yourself and accomplishing a set amount each day can provide space for you to recover. It is also important to forgive yourself for items you may not have accomplished because you took time for yourself (for example). Time for yourself is valuable recuperating time that is justified.
  5. Leave Work at Work – For some families that run their own business, this is much easier said than done. What I mean by this is leave work-talk at work. Try not to bring the concerns of work home with you and leave it at the workplace. This can help decrease the burden that you may feel you carry when you get home and help separate work from home -life for those struggling to find a good work-life balance.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!