Archive for the ‘Naturopathic medicine’ Category
|What Happens After the Coma?
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
by Dr. Andy Swanson – Nature Cures Clinic physician
_____________________________________
Many people who have acquired a brain injury tell a similar story. They gradually awaken from a coma. They have to relearn aspects of life that were once simple tasks, like balance, walking, speaking, socializing, and tempering emotions. Weeks pass, exhausted from math and reading classes, speech and physical therapy. The process challenges the very deepest aspects of the individual, often instigating feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and depression. After a period of rehab, they leave the hospital with limited options with regard to therapy, relationships, housing, financing and work.
Local support groups are often great resources to steer people towards the help they need. The Brain Injury Association of Oregon (www.biaoregon.org) offers an excellent resource guide to help those with TBI navigate the assistance available. Communities are coming together to enhance this network for those recovering from TBI. Many people in the TBI community, however, are unaware of the options offered by complementary providers such as naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, yoga therapists and nutritionists. I’d like to share a brief overview of some of the treatments we provide at Nature Cures Clinic that may be of help in the recovery from TBI.
At Nature Cures Clinic we offer individualized health care focused on addressing not just symptoms, but also the underlying causes of imbalance. For example, I treated a patient for a year and a half for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis that started following brain injury. The treatment plan focused on balancing the thyroid while simultaneously providing the central nervous system with the building blocks for healing. A generalized TBI treatment would have missed the thyroid imbalance. Even if it is clear that the majority of symptoms are related to TBI, it is absolutely necessary to consider other systems of the body that may be operating below optimal function. At Nature Cures Clinic, we treat each person according to the needs of their body. This is determined by a complete physical exam, a detailed history of illness, and any labs and imaging necessary to accurately assess ongoing internal imbalances.
A brief summary below introduces you to the three modules of the TBI program at Nature Cures Clinic. There may be concepts here that you are unfamiliar with. In the coming weeks, I will provide more information on how we use these therapies in the treatment of TBI.
IV Nutritional Therapy offers a unique way to offer the body nutrients to heal following injury. We have a standard multivitamin formulation we use for many health conditions. These nutrients help enhance mood, energy, and immune function. Other formulations specifically target the brain, and these I find particularly useful to accelerate healing post-TBI. These include nutrients such as alpha lipoic acid and glutathione. I will discuss this further in future posts.
Nutrition matters. What you eat directly impacts how you feel and how well your body heals following injury. Even though food is a very sensitive area for many people and dietary changes are challenging, it can be the pivotal change that decides whether or not the nervous system heals. I will discuss this further in future posts.
Chinese Medicine provides a fresh approach to working with many symptoms of TBI such as chronic pain, muscle spasms, forgetfulness, and mood disorders. Through the lens of Chinese Medicine we often encounter underlying imbalances in the body that may have been overlooked by modern medicine. Addressing these underlying imbalances removes potential obstacles to healing, and thus can speed up the recovery from TBI. At Nature Cures Clinic, we incorporate three aspects of Chinese Medicine as part of the TBI program: Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Qi Gong. I will discuss each of these further in future posts.
The three modules above, IV Nutritional Therapy, Nutrition, and Chinese Medicine offer a thorough complementary approach to the treatment of traumatic brain injury. The program is not intended to replace the current model of care, but rather to augment a medical model that falls short in providing options for continued outpatient care for post TBI syndrome. It is my belief that the brain can always do better, regardless of how much time has passed since injury. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding healthcare and the TBI program at Nature Cures Clinic.
Tags: brain injury association, coma, complementary medicine, Diet, intravenous therapy, IV Nutrition, Nature Cures Clinic, TBI, TBI program, traumatic brain injury
Posted in Acupuncture, Alternative medicine, Andy Swanson, Articles by our Doctors, Back pain, Brain, Chinese medicine, Chronic disease, Chronic fatigue, Cognitive development, Diet, Dr. Andy Swanson, General, Health, Healthy diet, Healthy lifestyle, Herbs, Holistic, Naturopathic medicine, Naturopathic medicine, ND, Neurological disorders, Nutrition, Pain, TBI, Thyroid function, traumatic brain injury, Wellness | Comments Off
The Yearly Onslaught: Managing Colds & Flu
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
by Dr. Greg Eckel - Nature Cures Clinic director
Uh oh, it’s that time of year again… sniffles, coughs, fevers oh my…
Every year we get into the same discussions about whether one should get the flu shot, how to handle a fever, how to get through a cold. Well look no further, here is a resource for you. I’ll share what I do for my family and loved ones (that includes you!).
Shot or no shot? Join the discussion at Facebook.com/NatureCuresClinic
First of all, you have heard the virtues about vitamin D. In this case it helps activate natural killer cells. Natural killer cells are a major part of your innate immunity (you’ll have to ask me about one of my favorite super heroes….), which will help you overcome countless viruses. If you don’t know your blood level of Vitamin D, I highly encourage you to get it done at your next blood draw. You can then individualize your dose of Vitamin D. Ideally you want your blood level to between 50-80 ng/ml.
The next piece is always a shocker as it sounds so wrong…the wet sock treatment. In these PC times, it’s been renamed “warming sock treatment.” (By me!) You need a pair of cotton socks and a pair of wool socks. You take a hot foot bath before bed, put the cotton socks under the faucet water as cold as it’ll go, ring them out (so they are damp, not dripping), and put these on your very warm feet. Pull the wool socks over top of that and go directly to bed, do not pass go. This is home hydrotherapy.
At first signs of any upper respiratory illness (sore throat, nasal congestions, sneezes), do this technique for a few evenings to stimulate your immune response. It increases your blood flow at night, your feet will be dry in the morning, and your head will be more clear.
For those with perennial runny nose and congestion, I feel for you. Look no further than EHB (Echinacea, Hydrastis, and Berberine). I use EHB at the first signs of any type of ‘cold.’ This is a very drying formula, has a lot of immune system punch, including garlic and vitamin A among other ingredients. This is also my first go to when I’ve seen a lot of sneezing, coughing patients during the day. We sell it in the Nature Cures e-store — check it out there if you don’t have time to come in to the clinic.
Another component of your immune system function is your gut. Did you knowthat roughly 90% of your immune system surrounds your gut in the GALT (gutassociated lymphoid tissue)? Probiotics are a great addition to your home medicine cabinet. Every doctor has their favorite blend of beneficial bacteria…. of course we have our favorites at the clinic, high ORAC or super natent are two of my favorites.
I’m not impressed with the latest and greatest strands of human microflora. I find most of the time this gets into marketing hype on the most recent research article on so and so particular brand. We do our research so you don’t have to is what I’ll tell you. We see what works clinically and stick with that.
For the kiddos, we have a chewable vitamin C that goes down easy. No complaints coming from them in the morning, even requests for it, when mama or papa forgets. It’s always nice to not have to force anything on them.
Living in the hometown of Linus Pauling, one can’t write an article on immune system function without mentioning vitamin C.
I’m going to leave the discussion about the flu vaccine for those that are interested. If you are interested in that discussion, let’s carry that on our facebook page. Please post a question you have and I’ll be sure to get on there and answer.
Here’s to a healthy and happy new year to you!
-Dr. Eckel
Image Courtesy USACE Europe District
Tags: cold, Dr. Greg Eckel, Flu, flu shot, holiday, Nature Cures Clinic, new year, seasonal depression, vaccination, winter
Posted in Articles by our Doctors, Colds, Dr. Greg Eckel, Flu, H1N1, Naturopathic medicine, Respiratory infections | Comments Off
Palliation vs Treatment in Cancer Care
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
By Dr. Greg Nigh – Nature Cures Clinic physician
No cancer patient wants to hear that their only option is palliative care. Palliative care means using therapies (usually limited to pain medications) that reduce discomfort and thus enhance quality of life. These therapies are explicitly not intended to control the growth and spread of cancer. Palliative care means the cancer patient has progressed beyond the point where there are any treatment options.
The reason that there is such a distinct line between treatment and palliation in conventional cancer care is that the therapies used to treat cancer almost universally make cancer patients feel worse. If there is little hope that a treatment will work, the thinking goes, then treatment is withheld so that the patient can feel more comfortable.
Conventional cancer care focuses almost exclusively on the killing of cancer cells. It is considered an unfortunate but necessary side effect that these therapies also kill healthy cells, which typically leave patients feeling extremely fatigued, depleted, in pain and devitalized.
The world of naturopathic cancer care is dramatically different. The therapies see killing of cancer cells as only one of multiple therapeutic goals. We also work to optimize digestion and overall nutrition; we work to activate anti-cancer immunity; we work to relieve psychological stress and depression that is so common with cancer patients; we work to optimize physical function and activity; and many other therapeutic goals.
In delivering the therapies that pursue these goals, cancer patients feel better, not worse, and sometimes dramatically so. Even patients with advanced cancers and multiple metastases can sometimes feel energetic and active while they are being aggressively treated with naturopathic therapies.
For example, a gentleman with advanced prostate cancer came to our clinic for treatment. Before starting treatment he was extremely fatigued, his activity level very limited. After an intensive series of IV (intravenous) nutrient drips, acupuncture and other therapies, he became energetic, alert, and active. He would commonly tell us that he felt better than he had in decades, and this was a gentleman with advanced metastatic cancer!
In the world of naturopathic cancer care, treatment and palliation go hand in hand. It is not a matter of choosing one or the other. If a medical treatment has enhanced an individual’s health they should feel better, not worse, as a result of that treatment, whether it is treatment of the flu, or indigestion, or cancer.
Any individuals facing a cancer diagnosis and interested in learning about naturopathic treatment options can call to schedule a free consultation. This is limited to 30 minutes and simply gives an overview of the naturopathic treatment process. If the desire is to get a full evaluation and an intensive cancer treatment plan developed, schedule a 90 minute new patient visit.
Whether used in conjunction with conventional therapies or as stand-alone treatment, naturopathic cancer care can enhance every individual’s potential for optimal health and a positive outcome.
Posted in Alternative medicine, Articles by our Doctors, Cancer, Conventional medicine, Dr. Greg Nigh, Naturopathic medicine, Naturopathic medicine | Comments Off
The Many Faces of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Friday, October 21st, 2011
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) carries a huge complexity of factors, each of which complicates the healing process. There is of course the impact, the moment of trauma, causing significant damage to the brain and oftentimes other body structures. This is the primary concern as the patient is rushed to the emergency room for life-saving procedures. For everyone involved in a tragedy of this sort, it soon becomes apparent that TBI generates aftershocks that extend way beyond the central nervous system of the individual involved; the aftershocks go on for years to come.
As a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist, I have treated patients with TBI in a primary care setting. As a student I wrote my thesis on the naturopathic treatment of TBI. I thought I understood the complexities of this condition. In fact, I was preparing the outline of a book highlighting my understanding of TBI and the treatment of chronic syndromes that continue for years following injury. A year ago, however, I was exposed to an entirely new understanding of TBI when one of my patients hit a tree at a projected speed of 120 mph. She was a passenger in a car and received the full brunt of the impact. What I would learn is that the impact extended much further, as family and friends, healthcare providers, and many others gathered to support each other and the patient in the healing process.
People mobilized from around the country and gathered in the waiting room of the ICU. Two could visit at a time, and the rest patiently awaited and prayed for good news. It was there, in the waiting room, that I saw many angles of the experience transpire. My first day I met the driver of the car, and the remorse was evident in the downward gaze and the pale expression of worry. Soon I would meet the driver’s family, the patient’s family, and the school friends, all of whom supported each other and maintained hope for the best possible outcome.
An undeniable presence in a trauma of this magnitude is the attorneys, the media, the insurance companies, the doctors and nurses, the priests, and the bankers; all present on the scene to “help” navigate these treacherous waters. Some provide support while others make the challenge much more difficult. Mixing all these ingredients together with the volatility of emotions of sheer joy and utter sadness and grief, the experience mirrors that of a human pressure cooker.
There were many details to organize, like who was taking care of the dogs at home while the family lived in the hospital? How often would one leave the hospital to shower? There was the horrendous hospital cafeteria food that all were subject to, and the sleep deprivation from consecutive nights in upright chairs. At one point, a family member awoke with a homeless man sleeping next to her. Emotions were on overload, as people blindly traversed each moment awaiting updates from medical staff. Shock and tragedy have a way of catapulting you into the present moment, where nothing else matters. There’s no more room in the inn. All emotional sensors are activated. There were already family rifts present from a previous divorce and a history of abuse with a family member. Now all were in one room together, forced to get along because this moment was not about them. Past and future seemed far away.
The media was sneaking into the ICU to get interviews with the family. Lawyers for the insurance companies were calling to deny charges. Soon the banks would start sending liens on the family’s home.
I will not get into the details of this experience for the sake of protecting patient confidentiality. I bring this story to light only as an example of the complexity of TBI. This story repeats itself over and over again, every time someone experiences a severe head trauma. The CDC reports that each year, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI. Of these, 1.3 million report to the ER. 275,000 will require hospitalization, and 52,000 will die.
The experience of TBI extends way beyond the patient. As a clinician I focus on helping patients navigate trauma and heal the nervous system. This involves nutrients, herbs, nutrition, acupuncture, and the movement arts. Complete healing must also include the families and friends involved, as they too are attempting to release the memory of trauma and accept the ongoing challenge of supporting a loved one dealing with the chronic effects of post-TBI syndrome. Healing this requires a community.
Written by Andy Swanson, ND, LAc practicing at Nature Cures Clinic in Portland, OR
Tags: Acupuncture, Brain, community, Dr. Andy Swanson, herbal medicine, Herbs, Naturopathic medicine, nervous system, Nutrition, qigong, statistics, TBI, traumatic brain injury
Posted in Alternative medicine, Andy Swanson, Articles by our Doctors, Brain, Dr. Andy Swanson, Emotions, Health, Herbs, Holistic, Human behavior, LAc, Naturopathic medicine, Naturopathic medicine, ND, Neurological disorders | Comments Off
NCC Cleanse: Day 1
Saturday, September 17th, 2011
Nature Cures Clinic Cleanse
Day 1
After reading through the materials for Day 1 and 2 of the cleanse, it seemed pretty doable to me. Breakfast wasn’t so different from what I usually have. This morning it was a bowl of steel cut oats with blueberries, raspberries and a dash of cinnamon. I would normally have added honey and milk of some sort. It really wasn’t too bad without the added sweetness. I was worried it would be too dry for my taste, which is why I usually put in the milk. But, because the berries were frozen, when I heated them up there was enough juice to spread throughout the oats.
For my mid-morning snack, I had a salt-free organic brown rice cake with a tablespoon of unsalted almond butter. That kept me full until lunch, which was a 1/2 cup of brown rice with black beans, blanched green beans, chicken, and about a tablespoon of salsa verde for some fat and flavor. This was really satisfying and seemed like a lot of food, but it was still under the 600 calorie limit. I used an online calorie counter to figure out how much each ingredient was worth.
With both breakfast and lunch I took the Formula 1 capsules, which I noticed, did not have any kind of bad aftertaste or smell- love that!
Mid-afternoon I had a handful of raw almonds and about a third of a sliced cucumber. By 3pm I was really wanting some protein and the almonds did the trick.
Dinner: The Shake. 5:30pm arrived and it was time to make dinner, a crazy looking shake of protein and greens powder. I decided to buy a Blender Bottle from Dr. Costello because I knew I wouldn’t want to mess around with an actual blender, especially when the shakes become more frequent. The Blender Bottle is special because of a metal ball inside that is shaped like a round whisk. It really works; I was quite impressed.
Admittedly, I hate greens powder. I can’t stand the smell or the taste and was not looking forward to this at all. During my cleanse prep session with Maria Zilka, I expressed my concerns about the flavor and she had a brilliant idea blending: Baby food! The organic baby food that comes in convenient little pouches will mix with the greens powder quite nicely in the Blender Bottle. I chose a Plum Organics mix of pear, blueberry and purple carrot (all approved foods on the elimination diet). Maria said that I could mix half a cup of fruit puree to the shake and fortunately each little pouch is exactly the right amount.
THE RESULT:
It didn’t smell bad, it didn’t look good and it didn’t make me gag- but it is 7:40 pm right now and I’ve still got 6 ounces to go. It is not an easy beverage for me to get down, but it is far from the worst I’ve ever tried. I wont be making it without any purees, and I think I can handle it.
I don’t think I have hit my water goal for the day yet and I would definitely like some carbs right now. I’m pretty sure I will feel hungry for a while…wish me luck as I try to exercise some willpower!
Tags: cleanse, Diet, Nature Cures Clinic, organic food, protein
Posted in Caffeine, Caloric restriction, Diet, Elimination diet, Food, Food intolerances, Healthy diet, Maria Zilka, Naturopathic medicine, Nutrition, Office Manager Blog | Comments Off
The Night Before The Cleanse…
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Hello, my name is Megan, and to be perfectly honest I am not a big “cleanse” person. I completely support the idea and have seen the amazing results that people have achieved. But, for me personally, I don’t enjoy what I consider to be “restricting” my diet. I have decided to embark on a cleanse with a few other clinic employees and see what all the fuss is about. My goal is to write something daily. Maybe a detailed account of my day to day experience or just a simple statement about how a particular day went; as long as I document something then I will have reached one of my goals.
As a newbie Mom to a 10 month old boy, my current diet can be can be summed up as erratic. I’ll eat a basic breakfast of a bowl of whole grain cereal with milk (sometimes soy) and either a banana or some berries thrown in. I’ll be lucky if I get another sit-down meal before dinner, mainly subsisting on Trader Joe’s snacks while at work. I don’t eat a varied diet, though I do believe for the most part I eat fairly well. I am a firm believer in all things Gluten, Dairy, and Sugar. I don’t drink caffeine so I don’t anticipate that being a problem during the 21 days I plan to stick to the Nature Cures Clinic Cleanse and Elimination Diet. My biggest fear is the carb cravings!
I hope that this cleanse will give me a jump start and really motivate me to branch out in my eating habits, as well as open my eyes to new and nutritious foods that I can introduce to my little guy. I’m fortunate to work just a few steps away from Maria Zilka, who is an amazing source of knowledge on all things food and nutrition. I’m so glad not to be doing this alone! While we will all be doing a slightly different version of the Nature Cures Clinic Cleanse, it is so important to have that support system in place.
I have no known food allergies and bound by no intolerance, I am curious to find out if there could actually be something hiding beneath the surface.
Since tomorrow morning is my first cleansing day, I thought that I should really make tonight count- you know, go out with a bang! Here’s a photo of my absolutely delicious dinner:
Chicken Sausage and Potato Hash with Cold Green Bean Salad and a Fried Egg
Without going into too much detail…Fingerling Potatoes are chopped into rings and fried in smoked fat, the greens beans are tossed in a homemade aioli, and the entire dish is drizzled in salsa verde- yummmm!
As you can see, I ate it all.
I plan to finish the night off with a little blueberry and nectarine torte and a nice glass of red wine.
Stay posted for the upcoming cleanse details, I plan on being brutally honest on the whole experience- especially when it comes to taste- and I promise lots of pictures.
Wish me luck!
Posted in Caffeine, Caloric restriction, Children, Diet, Elimination diet, Exercise, Food, Food allergies, Food intolerances, Health, Healthy diet, Maria Zilka, Naturopathic medicine, Nutrition, Office Manager Blog, Wellness, Women's health | Comments Off
Dr. Greg Eckel appointed to state naturopathic board
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Congratulations to Nature Cures Clinic’s Dr. Greg Eckel for his recent appointment to the Oregon State Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Eckel was confirmed in the Oregon State Senate on February 10th. He was chosen for his leadership and excellence in the field of naturopathic medicine. (more…)
Tags: Dr. Greg Eckel, Oregon State Board of Naturopathic Medicine
Posted in Dr. Greg Eckel, Naturopathic medicine | 3 Comments »