Patient Education

How to Cope with Stress in a Pandemic

by

With recent discussions of a “Second-Wave” for the COVID-19 Pandemic, I think it is safe to say that everyone is getting a bit fed up with all of this pandemic talk. However, we at PNHC feel it is important to help patients by giving some strategies on how to cope with the stress.

What is Stress?

According to Webster’s Dictionary, Stress can be defined as, “a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.; something that causes strong feelings of worry or anxiety; a physical force or pressure”. I think it goes without saying that all of us have experienced stress from the COVID-19 Pandemic. The pandemic is not what anyone expected or prepared for when they determined their plans for the year 2020. We have all had to adjust quickly, and its possible, that we still have not adjusted. Without optimal coping techniques, it can be difficult for many to manage comfortably through all of the chaos that our world is currently going through. We hope that this blog would offer some different ways to cope.

Ways to Cope with Stress at Home

Unfortunately, during these uncertain times, there is a lot outside of our control. We cannot control the state of affairs at any governmental level, and we cannot control for what others do or how they act. This is where I (Dr. Elisha Cook ND) would normally say to my patients that it is important that you focus on the things you can control – your thoughts, your actions, your behaviour, your attitude, and frankly where you put your hope. In addition to focusing on these areas, I also find it useful to use tools that remind you of what you actually can control for. No one answer provides a suitable option for everyone and their coping needs. As a result, I have provided examples below of healthy ways to cope with stress:

  • Journaling – options might include focusing on gratitude, lessons that can be learned from difficult points in a day, or good and bad highlights from the day.
  • Breathing – in particular deep breathing, though this may prove to be difficult for those with respiratory diseases.
  • Exercise – exercise can act as a great way to release any excess tensions in a healthy and constructive way.
  • Talking to others – sharing your more intimate thoughts and concerns with someone is helpful with working through stress. It is important to recognize that you are not alone and you have individuals who can help whether that is loved ones or health care providers. It is okay to open up to others about how you are feeling.
  • Praying or Meditating – both of these have very similar outcomes and they help an individual to become grounded and refocus on what really matters.
  • Take time for self care – Give yourself time for you and do something that brings you joy. This might include taking a bath, getting a massage, or getting lost in a book.
  • Distraction through changing your scenary – changing the task you are doing, if applicable, can help you to redirect your focus from a problem, and might look like engaging in a favourate hobby.  
  • Pet Therapy – if you have a family pet at home, spend some time with them as this can help to reduce blood pressure and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
  • Adopt healthy sleep routines – having a routine around bed, adopting a consistent bed time, and engagine in relaxing activities prior to bed can help you sleep better and thereby cope better with stress.

The next time you are feeling stressed, and need to find a healthier way to cope with your stress, take the time to explore these options and find what works best for you.

What NOT To-Do To Cope with Stress

As foreshadowed, there are some coping mechanisms that are less than ideal when trying to cope with stress. Below I have provided a few examples of unhealthy coping mechanisms:

  • Binge eating
  • Drinking
  • Avoidance
  • Gambling excessively
  • Smoking
  • Using elicit drugs
  • Isolating yourself from others who can help

Therapies that can help with stress

There are many different things that can be done to help someone to cope with stress. Many alternative medicine therapies can be beneficial for helping to promote the parasympathetic nervous system which is in charge of relaxing and resting. Some therapies that might be useful to help you to cope with stress depending on your specific case and needs include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Massage Therapy
  • Counselling
  • Nutraceutical Medicine
  • Botanical Medicine
  • Reflexology

Each individual is different, and so there is no one treatment that would be good for everyone. So, choose the treatment that is less intimidating and feels right for you.  

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 any of the above therapies to help you work through stress and are wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

This article was written by Dr. Elisha Cook ND

Corona Virus (COVID-19) and What You Need to Know

by

Written by Dr. Elisha Cook ND

Many individuals are experiencing a high degree of panic over the recent COVID-19 outbreak. However, the risk for individuals in Oxford/Blandford Blenheim is low. Regardless, many individuals worry, and so, it is important to clear the air of any myths or misconceptions around the outbreak. We have provided below information that is available through the Public Health unit, but if you require more information about what exactly COVID-19 is, please refer to the following website: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/content/community-update-novel-coronavirus-covid-19.

For more updates on the COVID – 19 outbreak, please see: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html#a3

What is COVID-19, what are the symptoms, how is it spread, and what can I do to protect myself?

COVID-19 is a viral infection, similar to the common cold, which can cause such symptoms as cough, fever, and shortness of breath. In elderly individuals or those with immune compromised systems such as those with diabetes, respiratory diseases, cancer, etc., symptoms can progress to pneumonia, organ failure or possibly death IF symptoms are not addressed.

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets in the form of a sneeze or a cough. With this being said, the best prevention is as follows:  

  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with your inner elbow
  • Regularly washing your hands with soap and water
  • Avoid making contact with your nose, eyes and mouth unless you have washed your hands with soap and water
  • Stay at home if you are sick
  • Avoid long-term homes/facilities or coming in contact with immune – compromised individuals if you are sick

If you are healthy, wearing a mask does not help to reduce spread of COVID-19, but rather reduces the stock for health care providers and those that are ill.

What are we doing as a clinic?

At PNHC, we keep a high degree of cleanliness in order to protect our patients and the community. As health care providers, we are obligated to vigorously wash our hands or disinfect our hands any time we come in contact with our patients. We always have disinfectant and masks ready for any cases of individuals arriving at the clinic who may be sick with a virus, bacteria, etc. With this being said, we are taking extra precautions to disinfect surfaces on a more “regular” basis (several times per day) in order to maintain your protection and health.

We do ask that if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (recent onset of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) or suspect that you may have it, that you give as much notice as possible with cancelling or rescheduling your appointment, and seek out testing.

With this in mind, the question remains, who should be tested for COVID-19? Public Health states that any individual with a recent onset of fever and/or cough or difficulty breathing and any of the following within the last 14 days prior to illness onset should be tested:

If you require testing, please contact our local public health unit or your medical doctor to facilitate proper testing.

Source: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/content/community-update-novel-coronavirus-covid-19

 

Exciting News! – Addition of Pedorthic Services to PNHC

by

We are excited to welcome Danielle Molnar C. PED (C) to the PNHC team! Danielle is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist with over 25 years experience in orthopedics! She specializes in hand crafted custom made orthotics, lower limb bracing, orthopedic footwear including footwear modifications and compression stockings. Her professionalism, excellent clinical skills, and insights into patient’s ailments are just a few of Danielle’s strong attributes.

Many of you may be wondering what a pedorthist can do to help you with your health care goals. Danielle is able to provide a pedorthic assessment and give various lifestyle recommendations based on her findings. She may recommend and custom – make such medical devices as orthotics , bracing, and footwear modification (see below for more details).

Pedorthic services can be beneficial for anyone with lower limb pain, or anyone feeling their gait could be improved. Such conditions that could benefit from pedorthic services might include foot pain, knee pain, achilles tendonitis, athlete’s foot, diabetes, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, arthritis, bunions/claw/hammer toes, or Morton’s Neuroma.

To book an appointment with Danielle to see if orthotics, bracing, or other footwear modifications are right for you, simply contact the clinic at 226-232-7665 and we will book you in for your initial appointment!

Pedorthic Services

Pedorthic Assessment
During a visit with our Pedorthists, we will conduct a comprehensive range of motion and video gait
assessment, as well as electronically record your gait (a person’s manner of walking) to illustrate our
findings to you. We will develop a treatment plan based on your needs and lifestyle requirements.

Orthotics
Both customized and custom-made orthotics enable the feet to be supported in a more stable position in order to help correct imbalances and reduce stress and strain on the rest of your body. Over time, the use of orthotics may give you relief from both pain and fatigue – so you can once again enjoy your favorite activities.

Bracing
A Brace is a rigid and semi-rigid device which is used for the purpose of supporting a weak or deformed body member or restricting or eliminating motion in a disease or injured part of the body. We will work with you to determine what type of brace is required based on our assessment and your physician’s diagnosis.

Footwear modifications
Footwear modifications are adaptations made to a shoe(s) to improve foot function and/or
accommodate specific pathologies. Although footwear has come a long way in terms of offering
orthopedic or therapeutic features without affecting style, sometimes the shoe may need to be
modified to be accommodating to your lifestyle.

August 2018 Newsletter

by

Happy August Everyone!

Make sure you get out and enjoy that summer sun and warm weather, but do not forget to take your copy of our newsletter to read. In this issue you will find:

  • Recipe: Gluten – free and dairy – free Granola
  • Article: How does acupuncture work?
  • Clinic Events: Dates for upcoming acupuncture clinics
  • A Personal Message from Dr. Elisha Cook ND: Vulnerability and Authenticity.

Please find the newsletter in the following link.

August 2018 PNHC Newsletter

Please give us your feedback on our newsletter! We look forward to hearing from you.