Respiratory System Archives - Plattsville Natural Health Clinic

What is Hydrotherapy?

Water can be a very powerful tool for healing that is often underestimated. As Naturopathic Doctors, we use water therapy, called hydrotherapy, which involves applying different methods of water to the body to promote healing. This might involve alternating hot and cold water applications to an area, or even using a sauna to nourish our bodies. Hydrotherapy has an added benefit of being inexpensive, because most of the time it is just a matter of applying water to an area. Though it is just water, some of the treatments may not be good for certain patient populations based on its effect and pre-existing medical conditions. Therefore, it is best to consult with your Naturopathic Doctor before trying any hydrotherapy treatments on your own.

What does it cause in the body?

Overall, various hydrotherapy treatments can be used to cause the following effects in the body:

Reduce pain
Increase circulation
Promote detoxification
Promote healing of organs/tissues
Stimulate brain function
Relieve fatigue
Boost Immune system functioning
Promote digestion
Increase metabolism
Relieve congestion
Relieve coughs
Promotes relaxation

What are the different conditions it can help with?

Hydrotherapy can be used to help many different conditions including:

Digestive concerns such as constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, fatty liver, colic, tenesmus, etc.
Menstrual concerns such as irregular cycles, premenstrual tension, cramping (dysmenorrhea), etc.
Musculoskeletal concerns such as joint pain, muscle pain, muscle tears, ligament instability, etc.
Respiratory concerns such as the effects of allergies, congestion, coughs, frequent colds and flues, compromised immune systems etc.
Many other concerns such as weight loss goals, fatigue, detoxification and improving overall health.

For more information on hydrotherapy or the services I provide, consider calling the clinic at 519-537-7058, or message me via the contact portion of this website.

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!

I want to start this article by first mentioning that this is not meant to condemn or make individuals feel like there is no hope for their situation if they are stressed. Stress is not a death sentence, and is not a bad thing. However, stress needs to be kept in check and dealt with in moderation. It is my hope that this article would provide you with motivation to keep your stress in check. As always if this is an area you struggle with, please consult myself or another health care provider for help.

Stress is a normal and purposeful reaction in the body. That is right, it has a purpose. The analogy I give to patients is always facing a bear or a tiger. Stress helps to fuel our response – we can either fight the tiger, or run from it – hence, stress can be deemed a “fight or flight” response. With this analogy in mind, stress causes many physiological reactions in the body that fuel it to respond in one of these ways. The body perceives stress as stress regardless of whether your stress is a tiger or a pile of papers, screaming children, or the lack of control over your circumstances. What this means is the body reacts the same to stress whether it is big or small. With that in mind, the sum of several small stressful situations, with a negative appraisal, could be more detrimental than one larger stressful situation.

So the question remains, what does stress actually do in the body:

Respiratory System – breathe harder and faster

Problem: for those with asthma, respiratory issues, or lung disease, this can make breathing more difficult. As a result, panic attacks or asthma attacks can ensue.

Cardiovascular System – increased heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Problem: for those with pre-existing heart problems, this reaction can pose a problem due to a worsening of symptoms. As a result, the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke are increased.

Endocrine System – increased stress hormone and blood sugar

Problem: with these effects, many do not realize that stress can lead to increased risk of such things as Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. This effect can also lead to decreased immune functioning, leading to frequent colds and flus.

Digestive System – increased sensations in the stomach and decreased absorption

Problem: these symptoms may not sound extreme, but it can cause many individuals distress. When one is already stress, having increased sensation in the stomach can often lead to discomfort, nausea, pain, and ultimately lead to more stress. In addition, the body is focused on other areas of the body and fueling them for fight or flight, as a result, blood flow is diverted away from the digestive tract, and thus nutrient deficiencies can result. This lack of absorption and blood flow can lead to such symptoms as constipation and/or diarrhea.

Male Reproductive System – decreased blood flow to these areas

Problem: decreased blood flow to the male reproductive system can cause many problems including erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual desire, decreased sperm production and decreased sperm maturation.

Female Reproductive System – decreased blood flow to these areas

Problem: decreased blood flow and increased cortisol can lead to a lack of menstruation, irregular cycles, painful periods, Premenstrual Tension Syndrome (fluid retention, breast tenderness, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, etc.), increased hot flashes, and decreased sexual desire.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic stress and is struggling to cope, do not struggle in silence. Seek help from a health care provider such as myself. To learn more please contact me through the contact portion of my website or by calling the clinic at 519-537-7058.

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.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx