Be Well: Natural Care for Moms and Babies

Baby gets a massage (via Shutterstock)

From those first waves of pregnancy-induced nausea to stubborn breastfeeding issues, women are more than ever seeking comfort and health solutions via natural approaches. Anne Spicer, DC, DACCP, an associate professor and clinical mentor at Northwestern Health Sciences University says over the last 10 or 20 years, she has seen millennials especially seeking out options like chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture to complement traditional medical care. “You get the best of both worlds when you blend the two,” Spicer says.

Pregnancy Nausea

First-trimester nausea doesn’t have to be a nuisance you simply accept until it’s over. Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and dietary changes all help calm the digestive system so you can feel more yourself. Spicer, a chiropractor, often starts with an adjustment. “There is a connection with nausea with the upper part of the neck. If it’s out of alignment that can cause nausea,” she says.

Acupuncturists focus on stimulating specific points in the body associated with digestion by inserting specialized needles even thinner than human hair. For persistent nausea they may also tape beads or “seeds” onto those points for hours-long relief. Quick, do-it-yourself remedies include eating small, warm meals throughout the day, keeping the tummy full, taking B6, and drinking mint, chamomile, or ginger tea alone or in combination.

Read the full article from Minneapolis.St.Paul Magazine online here.