This at-home treatment, commonly prescribed by naturopathic medical doctors, is a natural method of stimulating the immune system and zapping a cold or flu. It involves putting on ice-cold socks and sleeping in them! It may sound toe-curling, but it works because it actually boosts the body’s defenses, stimulating the body to heal itself.

Although the treatment is cold, it’s known as a “heating compress” because it’s up to the body to heat the cold, wet socks. Blood circulation is increased in reaction to the cold, which increases the body’s immune system — a natural way of fighting off the flu or cold and other conditions (see list below).

This treatment acts to reflexively increase the circulation and decrease congestion in the upper respiratory passages, head and throat. It also has a sedating action, and many patients report that they sleep much better during the treatment. The treatment is also effective for pain relief and increases the healing response during acute (“new”) infections.

The wet sock treatment can be used in conjunction with other modalities to treat inflammation, infection or soreness of the throat, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infections, coughs, bronchitis and sinus infections. It’s important to accompany the treatment with proper nutrition, hydration (drink half your body weight in ounces of purified water daily), and any immune-boosting herbs and supplements your doctor may prescribe for you. Consult your doctor to develop an immune-boosting regime that’s specifically designed for you and your needs.

It’s best to start the wet sock treatment on the first day of an illness, ideally repeating it for three nights in a row. People with chronic conditions (long-term; usually greater than six months) or a compromised immune system should consult with their doctor before starting the wet sock treatment.

Wet Sock Treatment Supplies:
1 pair of very thin all-cotton socks (ideally 100% cotton, no less than 60% cotton)
1 pair of thick wool socks (ideally 100% wool, no less than 60% wool)
2 sets of sweats or warm pajamas
1 bowl of ice water
other needs: hot foot or full-body bath (for 5–10 minutes), dry towel, and possibly hot ginger or yarrow tea

Natural Treatment Directions:
1. Take a hot bath for 5-10 minutes (full body or foot bath). This is very important for the
effectiveness of the treatment. In fact, it could be harmful if your feet are not warmed
first.
2. Soak the pair of thin cotton socks in the bowl of ice water. Wring the socks out
thoroughly so they do not drip.
3. Dry off feet and body thoroughly with a dry towel.
4. Place ice-cold wet cotton socks on your feet and cover with thick wool socks. Put on the
first set of pajamas. Go directly to bed. Place the second set of pajamas next to the bed.
Avoid getting chilled (drinking hot ginger or yarrow tea can help warm you up). If feet
are cold after 1-2 minutes of application, get up and warm feet and reapply cold socks
(may need to re-dunk in ice water and wring out again if they’ve lost their chill).
5. Go directly to bed for the night, wearing the socks. During the night, you may wake up
with your whole body wet from sweat. If so, change into the dry pajamas, but leave the
socks on. Remove the socks in the morning, or when they are DRY. IMPORTANT: socks
should be left on until they are warm and dry, otherwise the process is depleting.

Do NOT perform this treatment if you:
• are debilitated and cannot heat the compress
• are chilled or have low body temperature (less than 98°F orally): hot ginger or yarrow tea
and/or a hot bath or foot soak will increase your body temperature
• have a skin condition that’s aggravated by prolonged moist applications
• if you are pregnant, temperature of bath must not be too hot for too long
• have a high fever

Overall effects:
• Increases circulation
• Derivative, heating effect
• Sedative effect
• Stimulates immune system
• Tonifies tissues

Please note: This information is for educational purposes only. Consultation with a licensed health care practitioner is recommended for anyone suffering from a health ailment.

Meet Your Presenters:

Midwifery is the care of women and their families throughout the various stages of reproduction with the belief that pregnancy and birth are normal life events.  As adapted from the Midwives Model of Care™, midwives are responsible for: “monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle; providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support; minimizing technological interventions and; identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention. When following this model of care, it has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.”

Currently in the United States about 1% of the population is choosing home births for their labor & delivery.  In the year 2000, the North American Registry of Midwives, provided a large, well-designed prospective cohort student of 5,418 women who had planned homebirths.  The study found, when compared to low-risk women delivering in hospitals, the cohort had markedly low rates of medical interventions (such as epidural, cesarean, or assisted delivery), no maternal deaths, and a comparable neonatal death rate – namely, 1.7 deaths per 1000 low-risk intended homebirths after planned breeches and twins were excluded.  (http://narm.org/professional-development/research/)

Why choose midwifery care?

Many families decide to use midwifery care because of the individualized and personal care they receive throughout their pregnancy. Initial consultations with a caretaker include a medical history review, physical exams, and diet, lifestyle & nutritional supplementation plans for the pregnancy. Additionally, there is time spent discussing the creation of a birth plan, which is a very important component to an enjoyable and safe birthing experience. Follow-up visits typically involve a screening of the mother’s pregnancy, including an assessment of the fetal heart rate, mother’s vitals, and emotional and physical changes that typically surface during pregnancy. The purpose of each visit is to build a trusting relationship between the caretaker and patient, and to also assess maternal (baby) health status.  Conventional screenings like routine blood work, vaginal cultures, and genetic screenings are discussed and offered at each appropriate prenatal visit.

Another common reason women choose midwifery care, in particular at home, is to reduce unnecessary interventions such as mandatory intravenous placement, continuous electronic fetal monitoring, and epidurals, which are typically employed during hospital delivery.

The primary issue with unnecessary interventions is that once in use, the patient has an increased likelihood to require additional interventions as a result of complications from the first.  A classic example of this is found with an epidural placement, which can potentially slow the progression of labor for women.  In an effort to counteract the slower labor, the drug Pitocin may be administered to speed up contractions.  The drug may cause uterine hyper-stimulation and fetal distress, which may lead to an unnecessary “assisted” vaginal delivery (vacuum extraction) or cesarean section.  We must remember that even though we have access to technology that can alter the course of labor and delivery, this is not always in the best interest of our women and their babies. Interventions do not come without risk, and so it is important to be able to discuss the benefits and risks with your care provider.

What medical professionals can manage midwifery care?

In the State of Arizona, there are three different types of midwives: Certified Professional Midwives (C.P.M.), Certified Nurse Midwives (C.N.M.), and Licensed Midwives (L.M.). These medical professionals attend low risk pregnancies and births in the home setting, a birthing center or hospital.  Midwifery training varies but typically combines academic and clinical based learning that is specific for the practice setting of the midwife.  While credentialing is different, we stand united in the Midwives Model of Care^TM.

Naturopathic Doctor’s (N.D. or N.M.D.) are another care provider that incorporates midwifery philosophy into practice.  Naturopaths are licensed in the state of Arizona as primary care physicians, and receive medical school training through an accredited naturopathic medical school.  Similar to a conventional medical doctor, their education allows for them to diagnose disease, order lab-work and imaging, and prescribe medications. Many naturopaths practice with alternative therapies such as botanical medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, and nutritional medicines as their primary method of treatment. However, they are able to use conventional methods, for those cases that do not respond to natural therapies or when patient’s desire conventional care. A few Naturopathic doctors choose to specialize in pregnancy care and birth; these physicians must complete post-graduate training and certification in midwifery, most often as C.P.M.’s.

When selecting a care provider for your pregnancy, it is important to first interview them in person.  Bring any questions you have about homebirths, and inquire about their principles of practice, training and licensing. Above all, make sure you trust their ability to provide a safe and pleasant experience for you during this important period in your life.

Biography:

Krystal Tellier, N.D., C.P.M. is a Naturopathic Doctor and Certified Professional Midwife.  Dr. Tellier has a family practice in North Phoenix at 40^th Street and Bell Road. She specializes in women’s health, prenatal care, home births, and pediatric medicine.  Her practice is Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine. Visit www.DrKrystalTellier.com to learn more or contact her office at 602-368-9211 or email her at info@DrKrystalTellier.com. To learn more about midwifery practice in the state of Arizona visit, http://www.azdhs.gov/als/midwife/. To find more articles about home births and safety, please visit http://narm.org/professional-development/research/.

The concept of homeopathy was pioneered by a German physician name Samuel Hahnemann in the 1790’s.  Because of his efforts with his research, he left us a few guiding principles:

1. Like cures like: natural substances that produce similar symptoms in a healthy person can cure those same symptoms in an ill person. For example, Allium cepa, a member of the onion family, is a common remedy for the tears and runny noses associated with respiratory allergies, including hay fever. Think about what onions do to you while you are cutting them.
2. Vital force: living beings have the innate ability to heal.
3. Vis medicatrix naturae: the healing power of nature.
4. Individualization: diseases express themselves differently in different individuals; therefore the treatment should be specific for each person.
5. Single medicine and minimal dose: use only one medicine at a time and use the smallest dose possible.  This brought about the serial dilutions so great that there is no longer any material substance remaining, only the energetic properties from the original substance.

Prescribing the right remedy takes practice as with anything that requires skill.  Experienced homeopaths look for the cause of disease and try to find symptoms to the case that are strange, rare or peculiar. Some examples of symptoms that are peculiar are “dry mouth with thirstlessness” or “pain with first motion that improves with continued motion”.  They also look for patterns of symptoms such as “nausea occurs every morning” or “insomnia occurs nightly from 3-6 am”. These all may sound strange, but they are important clues that help narrow down the remedy selection from thousands to the single best remedy.

Recommended Remedies for your Birth Kit (30C is the best potency to start with for beginners, with experience and time to collect remedies, you can expand your collection to contain other potencies such as 6C, 12C, 200C, 1M; and start collecting any other remedies you begin to familiarize yourself with in the Materia Medica. Patty Brennan has a great condensed Materia Medica for quick reference):

• Aconite 30C
• Antimonium Tart 30C
• Arnica 30C
• Arsenicum 30C
• Belladonna 30C
• Carbo Veg 30C
• Caulophyllum 30C
• Chamomilla 30C
• Cimicifuga 30C
• Cinchona 30C
• Gelsemium 30C
• Hamamelis 30C
• Hypericum 30C
• Kali Carb 30C
• Pulsatilla 30C
• Rhus Tox 30C
• Sabina 30C
• Secale 30C
• Sepia 30C
• Staphysagria 30C

Common remedy choices for certain conditions (This information does not replace the medical advice of your provider; please seek advice for your particular condition): Use these suggestions to bring you to the Materia Medica to study the remedies in order to find the best choice for your particular case.

1. Morning sickness: Sepia, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla
2. Constipation: Nux vomica, Sepia, Opium
3. Repeated miscarriage: Sepia, Sabina
4. To encourage an efficient labor (for Primigravadas, or those with a history of long, difficult labors, anyone with cervical scarring, post-dates): Begin this regimen at 36 weeks and continue weekly until she reaches 40 weeks.
   1. Cimicifuga 12C: 1 pellet on Monday
   2. Caulophyllum 12C: 1 pellet on Wednesday
   3. Arnica 12C: 1 pellet on Friday
   4. Alternate method to make labor shorter and faster: alternate Cimicifuga and Caulophyllum starting at 38 weeks, do this for 14 days, 1 remedy each day. Note- do not use both protocols, choose one.
5. Mal-Presentation of the Baby: Pulsatilla, Natrum Mur (if amniotic fluid levels are not normal)
6. Lack of progress during labor: Pulsatilla, Caulophyllum, Gelsemium
7. Post-partum hemorrhage*: Aconite, Arnica, Caulophyllum, Cinchona; to build blood afterwards- Ferrum Phos; *Note- seek medical treatment to make sure bleeding has stopped and to replenish fluid and/or iron stores.
8. Retained placenta: Pulsatilla, Sabina
9. Prolapse organs: Sepia, Hamamelis
10. Mastitis: Phytolacca – hard lymph nodes and pain in nipple which radiates over body when child nurses, Belladonna- pain located in particular region, fever, throbbing hot shiny redness)

In homeopathy there are a lot of remedies to choose from that are effective in treating pregnancy related conditions.  It is important to be informed about when it is appropriate to use homeopathy as a standalone therapy and when it is best to use side by side with conventional methods.  If you are interested in using homeopathy as a healing modality, it is important to have an open relationship with your care provider.  This will ensure that you are getting the best care possible.

References:

1. “Guide to Homeopathic Remedies for the Birth Bag: 4^th Edition” by Patty Brennan
2. “Concordant Materia Medica” by Frans Vermeulen
3. “Organon of Medicine” by Samuel Hahnemann
4. “Homeopathic Drug Pictures” by M.L. Tyler, et. al.

Biography:

Krystal Tellier, ND, CPM is a mother of two children, a Naturopathic Physician and Certified Professional Midwife.  She has a family practice in North Phoenix and she specializes in Women’s health, Prenatal care and Home Births, and Pediatric care.  Her practice is Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine, visit www.DrKrystalTellier.com to learn more.

*Various forms of Cancer
*Cardiovascular disease
*Hypertension
*Diabetes
*Multiple Sclerosis
*Rheumatoid arthritis
*Inflammatory bowel disease
*Periodontal disease
*Autoimmune disease
*Chronic pain
*Influenza

The first important step to optimizing your vitamin D level is to ask a qualified health professional to check your serum (blood) of 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D. This is the circulating form of vitamin D found in your blood that the kidneys and receptor cells in your body convert to the active form of Vitamin D3. This is currently the best indicator of the amount of Vitamin D available in storage form in your body. Optimal levels are around 60-80 ng/mL depending on your current health state. Because Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, there is concern for toxicity when taken in large doses for long term use. It is best to consult with your physician on the appropriate dose for you and re-test your levels if there is concern of toxicity.

Who is at risk for Vitamin D Deficiency?

*People with very little sun exposure are at highest risk. This includes those living in sunny populations that avoid sun exposure to their skin by either not going outside, wearing heavy sun screens or clothing/hats that cover skin.
*People living above the 35th parallel from November to April, the sun is not strong enough for any vitamin D3 production.
*People who wear clothing that covers most of their bodies.
*Hospital inpatients, residents of institutions, and those in-doors permanently.
*Sunscreen users and people with darker skin who reside in sun-deprived areas.
*People living in areas with high air pollution.
*Elderly people because age significantly reduces, but does not eliminate, the skin’s ability to create vitamin D3.
*Obese people because obesity causes vitamin D3 to be store in fat, which makes it less available for use.
*People with celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis and other conditions that impair the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D.
*People taking medications that reduce cholesterol absorption or otherwise interfere with the body’s vitamin D conversion process.
*People with chronic kidney disease or liver failure.
*Breast-fed infants when mothers are vitamin D deficient.
*Breast feeding mothers may become more deficient as the breast milk takes up the stored Vitamin D.

What kind of Vitamin D should I get and how much?

There are two main forms of Vitamin D: D2 (made in plants) and D3 (found in animal products and is formed in our sun-exposed skin). Both forms are available in fortified foods and for supplementation. Vitamin D3 is the more bio-available or potent form of Vitamin D. Appropriate dosing is dependent on your blood levels and also your health status and age group. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfed infants receive a minimum of 400 IU supplemented in their diet, while 1,000 IU would likely be more sufficient. Breastmilk is known to be deficient in Vitamin D likely because the lactating mother’s are also deficient. Lactating mothers can supplement anywhere from 1,000 IU to 5,000 IU per day or higher depending on their vitamin D status. Those with chronic health conditions may require much higher doses for short term duration to boost their levels. The average population should take a minimum of 1,000-2,000 IU per day both adults and children alike.

How can you optimize your Vitamin D levels?

*Receive 10-15 minutes daily of sun exposure to bare skin in the middle of the day. Be cautious not to burn your skin, it is possible for some that the skin will burn before you are able to get enough Vitamin D.
*Tanning beds may be a means to get Vitamin D, however the ultraviolet light can cause overexposure to your skin.
*After sunning or tanning, delay bathing for as long as possible. The oils in your skin can convert to vitamin D for up to 48 hours after exposure to sun.
*Avoid chlorine pools if possible, the chlorine strips your skin of its oils and therefore reduces the amount of vitamin D you make.
*Food sources of Vitamin D3 are: organ meats, skin, fat, intestines and eggs. Sources of Vitamin D2 come from vegetable sources such as mushrooms, lichen and yeast. Some milk and orange juice products are fortified to contain small amounts of vitamin D.
*Vitamin D is available as a supplement and may be taken by injection, skin cream or orally (best when taken with food that is high in fat).