Naturopathic Medicine

New Service Offered: Lab Requisitioning

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After several months of organizing and planning, I am pleased to announce that I am able to send patients for lab work. The question remains, what does this mean for you, how will this affect my care, and what is the cost?

What does this mean?

Traditionally, when a patient needs blood work done, they have to go through their medical doctor in order to get the testing. Getting blood work done this way can pose a problem for those that do not have a medical doctor, or individuals who may have to wait months before being able to see their medical doctor.

Now that I can order blood tests, you can get the exact blood work that would be requested for your particular case. That means: less of a wait time, and your concerns being addressed sooner!

Some other benefits from having access to potential blood work involves food sensitivity testing. Some patients would rather not go to the extreme of the elimination diet, and would rather do blood testing to see what foods they might be sensitive to. In which case, blood testing is an option and possibility through myself (contact me for more information if you are interested).

How will this affect patient care?

Overall, patient care will be affected to a lesser extent. However, with the opportunity of ordering blood work, I will be able to better see what is going on inside the body at a cellular or mechanistic level, to better help you reach your health goals. It would also offer the opportunity to know for certain what levels you stand at in regards to nutrients such as B12 and Iron, and know for certain if it is safe to supplement with them. In addition to what I have mentioned above, patients would have a choice as to whether to go through with an elimination diet or opt for food sensitivity testing instead.

What blood tests are available?

Many blood tests will be possible to be ordered, and too many to mention. However, some of the more prominent blood tests include:

  • Food Sensitivity Testing
  • Inflammatory markers: ESR, CRP
  • Rheumatoid/Autoimmune markers: ANA, RF
  • Cholesterol Panel
  • Thyroid Panel
  • Nutrient markers: B12, Iron, Ferritin, Vitamin D, Folic Acid

What is the cost?  

The cost for these services are dependent on the tests being ordered. With every test there is a lab fee $8. Beyond that, the tests vary in price. Though the blood work would not be covered by OHIP, you may be able to submit them for tax return purposes at the end of the year.

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!

 

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!

 

Does Supplement Brand/Quality Really Matter?

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Fish OilThis question is a common question that I get in my practice. The short answer to this question is yes, quality and brand really do matter and can make a big difference with how quickly or effectively you achieve your health goals. Some common problems with some supplements in the market place are as follows:

Use of the wrong part of a plant

In the past, there has been some problems that have arisen for several brands due to individuals taking the product and becoming very sick. The reason stemmed from them using the wrong portion of the plant. The plants included in this were Black Cohosh and Kava Kava. Many companies were using the cheaper portions of the plant and not actually using the plant the way it was traditionally used, resulting in serious medical conditions as liver cirrhosis. Moral of the story is just because a botanical is good does not mean all of the parts of that plant are good.

Decreased amount of actual substance in it

Some studies have been released demonstrating that after investigation of 32 chondroitin products on the market, only 2 of the products actually had the amounts of the product that they claimed to be in the bottle. What was worse was that just under half of the bottles contained 10% or less of the claimed amount of the product. Dose does matter and if you cannot get the adequate amount, a lot of the times it is just a waste of money. (Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228559816_Analysis_of_glucosamine_and_chondroitin_sulfate_content_in_marketed_products_and_the_Caco-2_permeability_of_chondroitin_sulfate_raw_materials)

Contamination

Unfortunately, not all brands are made equal, and that includes what fillers are put into them. Some supplements contain heavy metals, mold, pesticides, dairy, gluten, or chemical fillers. These can make it very hard on the digestive tract, affect absorption, and actually cause you to become sicker. Looking for brands that are free from these contaminates can help some individuals that may find that they “react to all supplements”.

Products not containing adequate doses of substances

Another problem that I often stumble across when patients bring in their current supplement regime is that a lot of the brands out on the market do not actually contain high enough doses of certain ingredient in order to make them effective. I am surprised that some supplements would have the individual taking 6 capsules per day to achieve therapeutic value, while the recommended dose is 2 capsules per day. This is a waste of money and is ultimately lacking in the effectiveness overall.

How do you know you are getting the best supplements? 

It is important to always consult a naturopathic doctor before beginning to take any supplements. Supplements are not harmless and have the possibility of interacting with medication. Before I began my practice, I researched which supplement brand was the most efficacious, research based, and the best quality for my patients. The brands that I carry are a reflection of that research, where they contain adequate amounts to reach therapeutic level, are void of contaminants, and use the appropriate plant parts when indicated. I have also looked on the market to see what is available from local health food stores and have found some better brands of those out there. Having a health care team on your side that has done the research in this area and can help to determine what supplements are needed for your personal health concerns is of utmost importance. For more information in this area, please consult a naturopathic doctor before self-prescribing.

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!

Naturopathic Approaches to Pain

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Autumn Girl enjoying nature on the field. Beauty Girl Outdoors rPain of any type can be very debilitating. Not only does it affect someone’s physical functioning, but it affects one’s relationships, home – life, and overall well-being. With my training in Naturopathic Medicine, I have seen my fair share of patients struggle with pain and the abundant obstacles faced as a result of this struggle. There is hope. This blog will aspire to enlighten you to the different ways that Naturopathic Medicine can help with pain, and what the research says. I should caution you that pain is a very broad topic, and so with this article, I will focus more on arthritis, though this is not the be all and end all when it comes to pain.

What is Arthritis?

The word “arthritis”, when taken from its Greek context, clearly sums up what arthritis entails: “arthro” means “joint”, and “it is” means “inflammation”. Therefore, arthritis indicates really any condition where there is inflammation in the joint. There are various different classifications of arthritis, including, but not limited to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Septic Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Lupus. Many other conditions may involve arthritis or arthritic changes, but these are the primary stand – alone classifications of arthritis. Based on these different types of arthritis, there may be different causes of origins. For example, osteoarthritis may be caused by excessive use of the joint, where as rheumatoid arthritis can be caused by autoimmune destruction of the joint. As a result, the approach that would be taken for each of these different forms of arthritis would be different based on their mechanism of destruction. That being said, some of the approaches listed below may be effective for some forms of pain and not others. This speaks to the importance of consulting with your Naturopathic Doctor for an individualized treatment plan that specifically fits your symptom picture.

Based on the research, the following treatment options may be helpful for pain and arthritis:

  • Traditional Asian Medicine and Acupuncture
  • Botanical Medicine
  • Nutrition, Diet and Lifestyle
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Homeopathy
  • Physical Medicine

Ultimately, the goal of treatment will be to treat the root cause of the pain. As mentioned above, based on the specific type of arthritis you may be suffering with, the root cause may be different for you versus another. As a result, the following list offers examples as to what goals might be developed for a treatment plan for an individual:

  • Correct for deficiencies
  • Reduce pain and manage it effectively
  • Improve mood (often individuals experience depression because of their chronic pain)
  • Decrease inflammation
  • Address and eliminate any triggers to inflammation that may be present in the diet
  • Improve immune functioning
  • Alter lifestyle and diet to decrease pain

How can Traditional Asian Medicine help?

Traditional Asian Medicine views the body differently than western medicine. Its theory suggests that when there is an imbalance in the body system, disease manifests. Each “organ” is associated with an emotion, and individualized functions in the body. For example, the liver and spleen control the functioning of the muscles, joints, and ligaments. In addition, one of the primary functions of the spleen is to Transform and Transport water. This could lead to an excess amount of fluid in various areas of the body including the joints. These organs may play a role in arthritis but this is truly dependent on your individualized presentation. Once a specific diagnosis is made, a treatment plan is created, and may involve using acupuncture, herbal formulas, diet, or lifestyle, all with the purpose of bringing the body back into a state of balance.

Specifically regarding acupuncture, acupuncture has been shown in some studies to be beneficial Rheumatoid Arthritis when combined with electroacupuncture. One particular study found that knee pain was relieved within 24 hours of treatment; and the acupuncture was found to have benefits that last up to 4 months in some. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003788.pub2/abstract;jsessionid=67DB60F605B9F7B238341B5CCA2C903A.f02t03?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false

Another study found that acupuncture was beneficial for osteoarthritis of the knee; specifically for pain an physical functioning.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2810544/

Finally, in a study specific for patients suffering from gouty arthritis, individuals experienced decreased pain and decreased uric acid levels when treated with acupuncture for 1 month.

http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-ZGZE200203002.htm

How can Botanical Medicine help?

Botanical formulas have similar effects to medications, often without the side effects, however this is not true for all herbs and plants. Specific herbs or plants will be selected based on their properties and combined based on the specific individual’s presentation and symptoms associated with their pain. For example, one person may benefit from decreased inflammation, where as another may need help with immune functioning. Some beneficial properties that some useful herbs may have include: anti – inflammatory, rubefacient, immunomodulating, and adaptogenic.

Much research has revolved around the anti-inflammatory effects of various herbs including some lesser thought of herbs such as stinging nettle and black cohosh (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22700248). A commonly discussed herb when pain is mentioned is turmeric. Turmeric has been shown to decrease inflammation, prevent inflammation, and decrease swelling (http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/guide/turmeric.php).

How can Nutrition and Diet help?

Many different foods can contribute to inflammation in the body as a whole. The Standard American Diet (SAD) often promotes inflammation in itself, and so, can contribute to increased pain in individuals with arthritis. If an individual is eating relatively healthy, inflammation can still present itself. For some individuals, night shade vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, zucchini and eggplant can contribute to increased inflammation.

Similar to how many foods can promote inflammation, there are many foods that can decrease inflammation. These foods can include those higher in omega 3 fatty acids such as flax seed, hemp seed, and fatty fish such as salmon.

One study has shown how diet and supplementation can both by themselves or in combination help improve outcomes for those suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049017205000879). A naturopathic doctor can help you to develop a diet that best suits your individual needs, including developing strategies to motivate you to eat a proper diet. In addition, they can correct for any nutritional deficiencies that may be aggravating your stress and overall health.

How can Hydrotherapy help?

Hydrotherapy involves alternating hot and cold water applications to achieve the following goals: promote detoxification and relaxation, increase circulation, improve immune system functioning, promote digestion, and decrease pain. Based on all of the following actions, hydrotherapy could be beneficial for pain based on the different root causes. Hydrotherapy can be performed via a number of methods: constitutional hydrotherapy, sauna, peat bath, Epsom salt baths, or alternating hot and cold showers. In one study looking into hydrotherapy and rheumatoid arthritis, the participants experienced decreased joint tenderness and improved range of motion of the knees with warm water immersion (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1529-0131(199606)9:3%3C206::AID-ANR1790090309%3E3.0.CO;2-J/abstract).

How can Homeopathy help?

Homeopathy is an energy medicine that involves finite doses of a substance that are diluted in water, which amount to a higher therapeutic dose overall. In this form of medicine, individualized remedies are chosen based on the individual’s specific symptoms and presentation. Each person requires a different remedy based on their unique presentation. Homeopathy does not interact with any medications, making it quite useful especially if you are taking other medications.

Homeopathy is challenging to study in research, but research does exist. In one particular study, the process of conducting a homeopathic interview is where some individuals saw relief from pain for their rheumatoid arthritis (http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2010/11/08/rheumatology.keq234.short).  Other studies have shown that homeopathy can be beneficial for osteoarthritis pain and various other symptoms (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491699904496).

How can Physical Medicine help?

Physical medicine involves a number of different potential therapies. These therapies might include ultrasound, laser therapy, electroacupuncture, cupping or Gua Sha. The general effect of these therapies includes relaxation, increased circulation, decreased pain, improved wound healing, and decreased inflammation.

For example, some research has shown that cupping in combination with conventional therapy can help to modulate the immune system for the better in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/17977209).

How can Lifestyle changes help?

Various lifestyle factors can play a role in pain. By improving sleep, exercise, scheduling, and coping mechanisms, it is possible that some individuals may have reduced pain. Naturopathic doctors are trained to help individuals through lifestyle counselling, and can use methods use as motivational interviewing or cognitive behavioral therapy to do so.

Research has demonstrated that poor sleep can be quite common in individuals experiencing pain (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399904000327). As a result, this can further increase their pain through being unable to rest and relax.

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!