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! 

Dr. Cook’s new book Stress Less and Weigh Less is now published and available to purchase!

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We are so excited to announce that Dr. Elisha Cook ND’s new book Stress Less and Weigh Less has officially been published, and has already made it to the Best Seller list on Amazon in several categories! Dr. Cook has compiled much of her clinical experience and research into the writing of this book. It includes practical guidance and a wealth of knowledge on the impact of stress on the weight loss journey. In particular, the struggle that chronically stressed individuals can face when it comes to weight loss. 

In this book, you will learn

  • What stress is and determine if you are stressed
  • What weight loss approaches work based on research
  • What forms of exercise and dietary patterns help you lose weight when you are chronically stressed
  • Realistic coping techniques for stress
  • How to overcome common weight loss strategy pitfalls

To make sure we can get this book into as many hands as we can, reduced pricing will be in effect until June 26, 2023! It can be bought on amazon for $9.99 as the paperback and $0.99 as the kindle version until June 26, 2023. After this date the price will go up.

If you are interested in getting your hands on a paperback version or a kindle version of the book, see following link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C87VD1FD . We will have copies available at the clinic, and will make updates on social media when they are available.

In addition, if you subscribe to our blog, you will automatically be sent a PDF of the workbook to go with the book Stress Less and Weigh Less.

For a complete book description, please see below:

We live in a society of pressing deadlines, overwhelming schedules, and increasing demands. On top of keeping up with this lifestyle, we expect ourselves to have the body and physique of an athlete. It may be surprising for some, but chronically stressed individuals often have a very difficult time losing weight and keeping the weight off. There is a way to stress less and weigh less. You do not have to struggle to lose weight anymore.

In the book, we examine if you are truly stressed and what it actually looks like in all its facets. Once we know what stress really is, we can then begin to examine its impact on weight, and how it can contribute to weight gain. Dr. Elisha Cook ND discusses three key focus areas: exercise, diet, and stress management. With each section, we examine the strategies that increase stress and those that decrease stress on the body. When you manage your stress confidently and prioritize yourself, you can lose weight and keep it off.

In this book, you will learn:

  • What stress is and determine if you are stressed
  • What weight loss approaches work based on research
  • What forms of exercise and dietary patterns help you lose weight when you are chronically stressed
  • Realistic coping techniques for stress
  • How to overcome common weight loss strategy pitfalls

With the constant stress surrounding our daily lives, we need to be able to keep ourselves healthy and manage our stress. In this book, Dr. Elisha Cook ND hopes that she can help people identify sources of stress in their life, how it may be halting their weight loss journey, and how to overcome it. To find out more about her methods, grab this book today!

Want more information about our clinic or services?

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! 

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!

PNHC’S 5TH Anniversary Open House – May 6, 2023

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On May 6, 2023 from 10am to 2pm, we invite you to come to Plattsville Natural Health Clinic to help us celebrate 5 years of business! We have more details on what the day will look like and some sneak peeks.

Join us for:

*Draw prizes, because who doesn’t like winning! The picture is just a taste of some of the awesome draw prizes. Everyone who comes to our open house will get one ballot to enter into our draws. Want more ballots? See below for details on how to get more than one.

*Bring someone who has never been to PNHC before for the chance for you and that person to win a prize valued at over $250 (you will have to arrive on the day of to see what this great prize is)!

*Free 15 minute relaxation massages with Ben Tennant RMT.

*Light Snacks for you to enjoy while you learn about and celebrate with us.

*Clinic tour including our pedorthist’s lab where your custom orthotics are made.

*Demonstration of acupuncture.

*Colour our logo and get a prize!

Everyone who comes to the clinic will get a ballot to put into our draw. Want to get more ballots? No problem, just bring some loose change to donate to the charity we will be supporting on the day of: Naturopathy For All. We will be taking your loose change and trying to fill a pot for the tree to grow. We are hoping to have enough loose change to reach the top of the pot.

Naturopathy for All is a charity making naturopathy accessible for all (please see link for more information): https://www.naturopathyforall.com/ . Dr. Elisha Cook ND is on the board of directors for this charity, but does not benefit from any contribution you make.

Thank you from all of us here at PNHC for the last 5 years of business. We look forward to continuing to provide you with all of your chiropractic, naturopathic, massage therapy, pedorthic, reflexology and foot care needs. We cannot wait to celebrate with you on May 6, 2023!