What is cupping and how does it work?

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! 

August 2019 Acupuncture Clinic – Aug 16, 2019 3:00-6:00pm

Event Summary: 

Dr Elisha Cook ND is offering an acupuncture clinic to provide reduced fee for service for individuals without naturopathic coverage, limited funds, and to give a bit of a break to all patients and individuals for some of the fees. This acupuncture clinic is for anyone who is interested and would like to try acupuncture. The cost per treatment is $30 per person. You do not have to be an existing patient of the clinic to participate. This is on a first come-first serve basis as spots are limited, but we will be able to accommodate walk-ins as much as we are able (though pre-registration is appreciated).

Book your spot by messaging us on facebook, calling or texting us at 226-232-7665, or emailing us at info.pnhc@gmail.com.

Event Details: 

When: Friday August 16, 2019

Time: 3:00PM – 6:00PM

Where: Plattsville Natural Health Clinic 16 Albert St Unit A Plattsville ON N0J 1S0

Cost: $30

Pre-registration is appreciated.

How to Register/Book your spot: 

Call or Text: 226-232-7665

Email: info.pnhc@gmail.com

More Information:

For more information regarding this event, please follow the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/352476672115440/

For more information on how acupuncture may benefit you, please see one of Dr. Elisha Cook ND’s previous posts on how acupuncture works:

https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/how-does-acupuncture-work/

 

 

Exciting News! – Addition of Pedorthic Services to PNHC

We are excited to welcome Danielle Molnar C. PED (C) to the PNHC team! Danielle is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist with over 25 years experience in orthopedics! She specializes in hand crafted custom made orthotics, lower limb bracing, orthopedic footwear including footwear modifications and compression stockings. Her professionalism, excellent clinical skills, and insights into patient’s ailments are just a few of Danielle’s strong attributes.

Many of you may be wondering what a pedorthist can do to help you with your health care goals. Danielle is able to provide a pedorthic assessment and give various lifestyle recommendations based on her findings. She may recommend and custom – make such medical devices as orthotics , bracing, and footwear modification (see below for more details).

Pedorthic services can be beneficial for anyone with lower limb pain, or anyone feeling their gait could be improved. Such conditions that could benefit from pedorthic services might include foot pain, knee pain, achilles tendonitis, athlete’s foot, diabetes, plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, arthritis, bunions/claw/hammer toes, or Morton’s Neuroma.

To book an appointment with Danielle to see if orthotics, bracing, or other footwear modifications are right for you, simply contact the clinic at 226-232-7665 and we will book you in for your initial appointment!

Pedorthic Services

Pedorthic Assessment
During a visit with our Pedorthists, we will conduct a comprehensive range of motion and video gait
assessment, as well as electronically record your gait (a person’s manner of walking) to illustrate our
findings to you. We will develop a treatment plan based on your needs and lifestyle requirements.

Orthotics
Both customized and custom-made orthotics enable the feet to be supported in a more stable position in order to help correct imbalances and reduce stress and strain on the rest of your body. Over time, the use of orthotics may give you relief from both pain and fatigue – so you can once again enjoy your favorite activities.

Bracing
A Brace is a rigid and semi-rigid device which is used for the purpose of supporting a weak or deformed body member or restricting or eliminating motion in a disease or injured part of the body. We will work with you to determine what type of brace is required based on our assessment and your physician’s diagnosis.

Footwear modifications
Footwear modifications are adaptations made to a shoe(s) to improve foot function and/or
accommodate specific pathologies. Although footwear has come a long way in terms of offering
orthopedic or therapeutic features without affecting style, sometimes the shoe may need to be
modified to be accommodating to your lifestyle.

The release of my new book! It is . . .

At the beginning of this year I had set out to complete my book, and I am happy to say that I have accomplished that goal! My book is titled:

“The Ultimate Guide to the Elimination Diet: Tips and Recipes to Better Your Health and Approach the Diet with Confidence”.

Many of my patients have heard about the elimination diet, but not everyone is familiar with it, and so, let me shed some light on it. The elimination diet is a treatment option that helps individuals that are suffering from many different health concerns including

  • Pain
  • Anxiety 
  • Inability to lose weight 
  • Fatigue
  • Stress 
  • Arthritis 
  • Muscle Pain 
  • IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) 
  • Constipation/Diarrhea
  • Brain Fog 

and the list goes on! That means if you want to lose weight, reduce pain, think clearer, and feel better overall, this diet may be right for you. The elimination diet is a way for individuals to identify which foods may be contributing to their health concerns, but also helps individuals to adopt more of a whole – foods diet.

Though this may sound simple enough, the diet is quite complex, complicated, and challenging. Many individuals struggle to follow it or incorporate it into their lifestyle even for a short time. I wrote this guide (and recipe) book as a way to help individuals overcome the hurdles of the diet. In the book, I have outlined meal plans, tips and tricks, many recipes for each meal (and sauces and dips!), and ultimately set out to help eliminate many of the struggles that individuals tend to encounter with the diet. I have based the book off of my clinical experience as well as my personal one. I was prescribed the elimination diet years prior by my ND before I became an ND and it was a struggle. I was miserable throughout it and could not figure out what I should eat. My diet was boring and basic, but I did complete it and I did learn a lot from the experience. I also learned my food sensitivities and improved my overall state of health from it. Following the experience, I set out to help others through the diet on their way to better their health. I have seen many individuals completely change their lives through this diet, and you can too!

If you have any one of the health concerns mentioned above and want to better your health, the elimination diet may be a treatment to consider. As I mention in the book, this diet is not for everyone or appropriate for everyone, and so, it is best to complete this diet with the supervision of a Naturopathic Doctor such as myself. If you are ready for change, send me an email or call our office (519-537-7058) to see if this is a good path for you to pursue. I offer complimentary 15 minute meet-and-greet sessions where you can meet me, ask your questions, and decide from there if you would like to see me or not (i.e. there is no obligation to book). You have nothing to lose by booking this session. Now is the time to take care of you.

In regards to my book, if you are interested in purchasing your copy, send me an email, call the clinic, or contact me through the Facebook page and I will gladly get you set up. In addition, I am offering the book as part of a package deal for those who may want to pursue food sensitivity testing. Both prices are outlined below.

  • The Ultimate Guide to the Elimination Diet: Tips and Recipes to Better Your Health and Approach the Diet with Confidence – $20 +HST per book (Total $22.60)
  • Blood Testing and Book Package (only available from August 1- August 30 2017) – get the food sensitivity testing (approximately $260 plus the book for an additional $15) (Total: Approximately $273)

If you have any questions about this treatment option, food sensitivity testing, or simply about how you can feel better today, do not hesitate to email me, message me, or contact our clinic and book your complimentary 15 minute meet-and-greet session today!

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!