Generally speaking, the NHS advise expectant mothers to avoid taking unnecessary medicines or treatments, as anything taken into your body may affect your unborn baby. However, there is evidence to support the use of some complementary therapies during pregnancy and labour alongside other recommendations from healthcare professionals.
Here are three complimentary therapies that can help alleviate symptoms during pregnancy.
Aromatherapy and massage for anxiety and...
The effects of stress in the modern world are well documented. But what is 'stress'? How does it affect the body? And what can massage and bodywork do to help put us back into balance? Stress is a word derived from the Latin word stringere, meaning to draw tight, and was used in the 17th century to describe hardship and affliction. During the late-18th century, stress denoted ‘force, pressure, strain, or strong effort’, referring primarily to an individual, or to the...
At some point in our lives, we will all be affected by bouts of nausea. Whether yours is related to acid reflux, medication or pregnancy, there are some natural remedies hiding in your kitchen cupboard that may provide relief.
Ginger
While research continues to look at the effectiveness of ginger as a natural remedy, it does have a long history of treating nausea, diarrhoea and stomachache. Ginger has been used to treat a variety of digestive issues for thousands of years. It is unclear...
Acupressure, like acupuncture, relies on a system of channels and pressure points. The difference between the two is that acupressure is the applying of gentle pressure to specific areas rather than inserting needles.
Acupressure is a safe and effective therapy. According to Chinese medicine, we do not only have blood flowing through the body, but energy. The basic philosophy of acupressure is that to live in a pain-free, nourishing body, the energy or qi channels must flow smoothly.
How...
You don’t have to practise all of these points for effective treatment, using just one or two of the following techniques can help you feel better. Some of the acupressure points thought to help relieve allergy symptoms include:
“Elegant mansion”
This is located in the hollow just below the collarbone, in the centre of your chest. This point is thought to help relieve allergies associated with breathing difficulties, asthma, sore throats, coughing and chest congestion.
“Crooked...
Following reports that Kate Middleton is pregnant with her second child, we explore natural remedies for morning sickness.
The world rejoiced when Clarence House announced that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting her second child, but unfortunately for Kate she is once again suffering from severe morning sickness.
The condition, hyperemesis gravidarum, made the early stages of her first pregnancy with Prince George so troublesome that Kate was admitted to hospital.
Characterised by...
Before you reach for over-the-counter painkillers, try these other techniques to ease your headache.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and are usually caused by stress or neck/shoulder tension. If you suffer from tension headaches on a regular basis and don't want to rely on over-the-counter medication, the following tips could help take the edge off.
Rest in a dark, quiet room
When you are in the midst of a tension headache, you may find you feel overly sensitive...
A common form of punishment in India has been turned into the new 'super-brain yoga' enjoyed by high powered executives the world over - but what exactly is it, and how does it work?
Indian children know exactly what the uthak-baithak is, because it's considered a serious punishment in school.
Anyone acting up or failing to do their homework will be made to cross their arms and hold their earlobes for a given amount of time.
Now this punishment is being promoted as the next big thing...
Scientific studies show acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of health problems, including sexual issues.
In fact, acupuncture has been used to treat sexual problems with and without Chinese herbs for over 5,000 years.
Practitioners insert very fine needles into certain points around the body to stimulate the flow of energy, or Qi (chi) around the body. It is thought this alternative treatment can improve sexual performance, increase libido and address any underlying causes...
Doing a daily face yoga routine could provide a natural facelift according to face yoga specialist Danielle Collins.
We all know we need to exercise our muscles to keep our body toned and healthy - but what about our face? To keep that youthful, surely all we can do is have surgery or use botox, right?
Not according to Danielle Collins, face yoga expert. Danielle has created a 20-minute routine, which she recommends doing six times a week to give "safe anti-ageing results - a natural...
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