Naturopathic Medicine

What is cupping and how does it work?

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Written by Dr. Elisha Cook ND

Cupping has had a lot of media coverage over the years in regards to athletes and pain, but what is it really and how can it help you? To begin with, cupping is a form of traditional Asian medicine that has been used for thousands of years to aid with so many different health concerns. Though cupping and acupuncture look quite different, their actions can be quite similar. For some, cupping can have a more profound effect on issues such as fibrotic tissue and fascia that is tight. Cupping has been compared to massage therapy treatment as well as a result.

The following is 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 Cupping Work?

Cupping works via many different pathways which cause:  

  • Releases endorphins – resulting in decreased pain
  • Relaxes muscle
  • Reduces pain
  • Promotes blood flow
  • Promotes lymphatic circulation
  • Stimulates the immune system
  • Regulates inflammatory pathways

What Can Cupping Help with?

Cupping can help with many surprising conditions/symptoms including:

  • Pain – muscle
  • Muscle tension
  • Sports injuries
  • Stress
  • Fertility
  • Depression
  • Anxiety 
  • Headaches/ Migraines
  • Insomnia
  • Coughs and colds
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Lumbar Disc Herniation
  • Acne
  • And more

How do our Naturopathic Doctors use cupping?

Our Naturopathic Doctors’ approach to cupping is based on both Asian medicine and Western medicine. They apply the cups based on the muscle areas that hurt and also the pathways that from a Asian medicine perspective need to be addressed. In this way, the system as a whole is supported and not just help with sore muscles. You are not your disease and you need to be treated as such.

Moving cupping or stationary cupping may be chosen for your specific situation and depending on your particular concerns. The cup is typically left for 5-20 minutes (again depending on the concern). This treatment can be quite aggressive and so your Naturopathic Doctor needs to assess whether this is a valid treatment option for you. Cupping also leaves a dark hue on the skin that can often be tender following treatment. Some individuals may choose to use acupuncture only to avoid the discolouration of the skin. This discolouration is not permanent, but may last up to a week following treatment.

The colour change that happens on the skin is a result of increase circulation and increased lymphatic flow to the area. From an Asian medicine perspective, this is the result of a heavily stagnated area that has finally broken up. Following treatment, some individuals may also feel a bit sore. This is normal, and so, some individuals may choose to ice the area for 10 minutes to decrease the tenderness.  

If you are interested in trying cupping, feel free to contact the clinic and book your appointment today, or contact me through the contact portion of my website for more information.

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 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

5 Teas to Promote Calmness

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Written By Dr. Elisha Cook ND

There are many amazing herbs available to help with health and healing. Remarkably, some of these herbs and botanicals can be consumed as teas to promote beneficial outcomes. There are some prominent herbs that can reduce anxiousness, reduce nervousness, and calm individuals. Keep in mind that you should always consult with your Naturopathic Doctor to make sure these teas are right for you and that the dosing is adequate. 

Hibiscus Tea 

Hibiscus tea can promote relaxation and calmness through the fact that it is a flower. Flowers in general tend to promote calmness in individuals. Hibiscus, in addition, helps to lower blood pressure which can be an unfortunate consequence to anxiousness or stress. 

Chamomile Tea 

Chamomile tea can be great for digestive upset, and can help to calm the gut and the mind. For individuals that can feel anxiety or nervousness “in their stomach”, this tea can be a great add on to their treatment plan. 

Lemon Balm Tea 

Lemon balm tea is a great herb for all ages. Kids tend to love the taste of it, and it helps to ease nervous unrest. Many herbal blends will incorporate it into their sleep teas as it can also be great to promote a good night’s rest. 

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is another tea that can help to ease stomach discomfort with nervousness, but this calming herb also has some other great properties. Peppermint can help to open the airways, making it a bit easier to breath. We can sometimes see with stress or anxiety that individuals may struggle to “catch their breath”. This herb might prove to be a great add on for those struggling with this. 

Lavender Tea

Lavender tea is a great herb for many reasons. As a flower it does help to promote calmness and rest. Many individuals will use this herb to aid with sleep as well. Some research has shown that lavender can be highly effective for anxiety, and has even been compared to such anxiolytic pharmaceuticals as Lorazepam. 

If you benefited from this blog, Dr. Elisha Cook ND will have her book “Stress Less and Weigh Less” published in June 2023 that has information like this AND MORE. Contact us to get EARLY ACCESS by emailing info.pnhc@gmail.com or through the contact portion of our website. 

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share this article with someone who you think might benefit from the information 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/texting 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today!

Ways to Practice Self-Care Daily

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Today’s society is very go, go, go, and often, we put ourselves last due to the demands of life itself. Individuals can be left 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 you from reaching this breaking point.

5 Ways to Practice Self-Care

  1. Eat Well – your gut can be the gateway to overall health. By eating a well-balanced diet that is right for you, you can help your stress, mood, energy, sleep and overall health. By speaking to a naturopathic doctor or a holistic nutritionist, you can determine a plan of action on how to best eat for your health situation.
  2. Exercise – exercise can be a great outlet for stress and aid with overall health. When we look at aerobic exercise (for example, walking), we see many great benefits including reduced stress, depression, and anxiety. In addition, exercise can give you the energy you need to accomplish your to-do-list that may be adding to your stress.
  3. Ask for Help – Asking for help is not easy for a lot of people but it can make a big difference when you are feeling overwhelmed. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It provides 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 a Naturopathic Doctor, to help you with stress management, work-life balance, pain, mood, energy etc.
  4. Pace Yourself – Many people rush to get things done saying that there are 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 especially if you take time for yourself. Time for yourself is necessary recuperation time and is justified. It is important to put yourself higher on your priority list.
  5. Leave Work at Work – For some individuals that run their own business or feel like they mentally carry their work home, this is much easier said than done. Try not to bring the concerns of work home with you and instead leave it at the workplace. Use the commute home to be your dividing line or find other constructive tangible ways to create a separating point between work and home. This can help decrease the burden that you carry when you get home. It helps to separate work-life from home-life. Ultimately, we need to start to establish healthy boundaries between work and home, and this conversation may even extend itself to other areas of your life where you need healthy boundaries.

If you benefitted from this blog, Dr. Elisha Cook ND will have her book published soon that has information like this AND MORE. Contact us by emailing info.pnhc@gmail.com or through the contact portion of our website. Let us know if you want to be a part of her launch team and get early access to her book!

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share this article with someone who you think might benefit from the information 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/texting 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today!

Expanding our Naturopathic Impact at PNHC

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We are so excited to welcome another naturopathic doctor to our team, Dr. Derika Nauta ND! Some of you may remember Derika from her years of shadowing Dr. Cook, and frankly, after having her around for so long, we could not pass up the opportunity to expand our impact in naturopathic care and have this amazing human partner with us to do it. So what does this mean for you? More appointments available to get acupuncture, dietary recommendations, supplement advice, botanical remedies and more! So if you are tired of feeling tired, being controlled by your hormones, being in pain, or just not feeling like you are operating at your best, then book an appointment with Dr. Derika Nauta ND today by calling or texting 226-232-7665 or messaging us through the contact portion of this page.

For more information about Dr Derika Nauta ND or naturopathic care, see the naturopathic tab on our page by cliking the following link: https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/naturopathic/

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 trying any of our services, working with any of our amazing practitioners, or are simply 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!