Naturopathic Medicine

Masking Mandate Extended Until June 11 2022 at PNHC

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The government has recently release information regarding masking mandates. Until June 11, 2022, it is required in health care settings to wear a mask (see link https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002098/masking-requirements-continue-in-select-indoor-settings ).

We will continue to screen patients at the door for COVID-19 as per our regulatory requirements. We appreciate our patient’s compliance and understanding of our masking and COVID-19 policies.

We know that the past 2 years have not been easy on anyone, and we are so thankful to have the support of our patients. We are all hoping that with a little more patience and perseverance, that we can make it to the finish line and that June 11 2022 will be the end of extensions. Remember, we are all in this together.

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! 

Silent Auction for a Great Charity

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We are excited to share about a charity that PNHC’s very own Dr. Elisha Cook ND is a board member of: Naturopathy for All.

Naturopathy for All is a Canadian nonprofit with a mission to make Naturopathic Medicine accessible to all Canadians. With the healthcare system over-burdened these past 2 years, preventative medicine will play a big role in reducing that burden. Naturopathic Doctors have the ability to diagnose and treat a wide range of health concerns such as insomnia, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, digestive concerns, poor immunity, mental health and more. For many Canadians, the only thing keeping them from seeking this type of care is the cost. Naturopathy for All with cover these costs and connect eligible applicants to licensed Naturopathic Doctors across Canada.  

Naturopathy For All is hosting an online silent auction (who doesn’t love a silent auction) from March 1-March 8 2022, which can be accessed through the following link:

https://event.auctria.com/4a0b1c54-ddaf-45b8-83eb-8b5c7220e2b9/

For more information about Naturopathy for All, you can access their website (see below), or find them on Instagram and Facebook.

http://www.naturopathyforall.com

Expanding our Naturopathic Availability!

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We are so excited to be welcoming Derika Nauta, a student clinical intern from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) to PNHC. During her time with us, we will be offering reduced fees for naturopathic consults provided through her under the supervision of Dr. Elisha Cook ND (our naturopathic doctor). If you have been meaning to see a Naturopathic Doctor and are needing a bit of a financial break after Christmas, now would be the time to get it!

Derika will be seeing patients Thursdays from 9:00am – 3:30pm. Book your appointment by calling/texting the clinic at 226-232-7665, or by sending us a message through the contact portion of this website. For more information about Derika, see her bio below for more details!

ABOUT DERIKA

Derika, being a local, has grown up in the Woodstock/Tavistock area. You might recognize her as she has remained involved in her community, having represented the community as both the Tavistock Fall Fair Ambassador as well as the local (Oxford) and provincial-level “Queen of the Furrow”. Derika was also actively involved in the Plattsville Figure Skating Club as both a skater and coach.

Derika completed her undergraduate degree at Western University, receiving a Bachelors in Honours Specialization in Health Sciences and Biology. She is currently completing her clinical internship at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic (RSNC) in Toronto, along with her training at CCNM. Following receiving her license, Derika hopes to practice in our area to provide for the community she has received so much support from.

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! 

Earthing/Grounding

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Blog Written by Dr Elisha Cook ND

If you are a patient of mine, you may have heard me explain this concept. In all reality, what comes to mind when someone uses these words is “hippy”, “Tree-hugger”, and “New – Age”; when the concepts are much more advanced than that.

Earthing or Grounding is described as the act connecting the body with the earth to cause a grounding or electrically balanced state. Ultimately, it revolves around grounding physics, similar to when we think about electricity in our home and grounding it. The intention of earthing or grounding is really for therapeutic gain. You might ask how reconnecting with the earth would cause any health benefits, but there is a fair amount of research that shows that this type of exercise can prove to be physiologically advantageous (i.e. it’s good for your health!).

What are the Health Benefits of Earthing or Grounding?

When we look at the research behind earthing or grounding, we see some pretty remarkable changes to ones physiology.

  • Changes in white blood cells (immune system) (1)
  • Changes in cytokines (inflammation) (1)
  • Reduces blood viscosity and clumping (Cardiovascular) (2)
  • Reduces cortisol (stress hormone) (3)
  • Normalizes circadian rhythm (sleep) (3)
  • Improves circulation (4)
  • Mobilizes glucose and muscular uptake (Energy exertion and recovery) (5)

These physiological changes can translate to

  • Reduced muscle soreness onset post injury (1)
  • Reduced pain (1)
  • Reduces risk of cardiovascular events (2)
  • Reduced Stress (3)
  • Improved Sleep (3)
  • Improved Mood (6)
  • Increased Relaxation (6)
  • Improved energy with physical exertion (5)

How can I Earth or Ground?

When we say “reconnecting” with the earth, many would believe that this is a weird or exhaustive process when in all reality there are some very ways to reconnect with the earth that might actually already be apart of your everyday life.

  • Walking barefoot in the grass
  • Standing bare foot in the grass
  • Lying with skin exposed on the ground
  • Swimming in a pond, river, lake, ocean, etc.
  • Having a shower
  • Washing your hands

I will often suggest to patients that really any amount of time is better than nothing. The research is pretty mixed on the length of time needed to produce a benefit, but again, anything is better than nothing. 

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 your health concerns 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! 

References:

  1. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James_Oschman/publication/274644091_The_effects_of_grounding_earthing_on_inflammation_the_immune_response_wound_healing_and_prevention_and_treatment_of_chronic_inflammatory_and_autoimmune_diseases/links/555b14d708ae6fd2d8286cd1.pdf
  2. http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2011.0820
  3. “The effect of earthing (grounding) on human physiology”. Gaetan Chevalier, Kazuhito Mori, and James L. Oshman. European Biology and Bioelectromagnetics Jan 31 2006; 600-621.
  4. http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=58836
  5. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zbigniew_Jastrzebski/publication/302590367_Earthing_modulates_glucose_and_erythrocytes_metabolism_in_exercise/links/5731e05a08ae298602da2942.pdf
  6. http://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2016/undergraduate/15/