Patient Education Archives - Page 7 of 14 - Plattsville Natural Health Clinic

How does Acupuncture Work?

November 1, 2016 by elisha

When 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!

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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!

5 Foods to Eat/Drink when trying to Lose Weight

October 19, 2016 by elisha

Ultimately, this list of foods to eat to lose weight is a bit more extensive than just 5 and should really include fruits and vegetables of all kinds. A diet full of fruits and vegetables is more likely to result in weight loss than one filled with refined sugars. The following is a list of some extra components to add to a balanced diet in order to achieve weight loss.

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds have many beneficial properties that help them in the goal of weight loss. Chia seeds are a good source of protein, omega – 3 fatty acids (not substantial levels to compensate for supplementation), and fiber. All three of these help with digestion, to decrease appetite, to increase energy, and to decrease inflammation. All of these can be beneficial on the road to weight loss.
Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes can be beneficial for weight loss for the reason that they can be a substitute for a regular white potato. A sweet potato has far fewer calories than a regular potato and are low in glycemic index. What this results in is a reduced impact on blood sugar levels which leads to less sugar being stored in the form of fat in the body.
Hot Water with Lemon: starting each day with hot water with a slice of lemon in it can be beneficial for weight loss for a number of reasons. To start with it can increase metabolism at the beginning of the day meaning more calories burnt. In addition, this drink can stimulate digestion and liver functioning. This can help to process hormones more efficiently and to eliminate toxins from the body. Some sources also suggest that this drink can be a source of vitamin C, which some studies suggest can be important for weight loss.
Green Tea: many studies have suggested that even just 1 cup of green tea per day can be enough to stimulate metabolism. Green tea can also act as a substitute for coffee and the potential to “drink your calories” through having sugary coffee beverages.
Water: Drinking water is important for many bodily functions in general. In addition, feeling hungry could be a sign that we are actually just thirsty. By curbing your appetite through drinking water first, this can help with weight loss. Research has suggested that drinking a glass of water before each meal helps to increase potential weight loss by 3lbs compared to individuals who did not drink water before meals. Water can also increase the amount of calories burned in one hour, after consuming 500 ml of water.

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.

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

October 11, 2016 by elisha

Some 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.

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/

Does Supplement Brand/Quality Really Matter?

September 27, 2016 by elisha

This 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.