Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more and more popular among Americans, and studies have found that many parents are eager to see how they might use these therapies to help their children.

Parents are turning to CAM in part because they have found that many common childhood ailments (such as frequent respiratory illnesses, asthma, headaches, and nosebleeds) that have not responded well to traditional medicine have been successfully managed with alternative options such as vitamins, herbs, supplements, and dietary changes. Other CAM therapies have also been explored and used successfully to treat children for everything from attention deficit disorder to bed-wetting. Biofeedback, imagery, relaxation therapy, massage, hypnosis, and acupuncture are employed in pediatric pain management centers. Many CAM practitioners (such as homeopaths, naturopaths, chiropractors, and acupuncturists) are available and have been specially trained to treat children.

Herbs and Supplements for Pregnancy

Requirements for many nutrients increase during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, be sure to follow your physician's recommendations for taking prenatal supplements. These ensure that your body is receiving the basic nutritional requirements of pregnancy and may ease some of the symptoms of pregnancy as well. In addition to prenatal supplements, you may want to consider taking the following nutrients and herbs. Studies have shown that adding certain nutrients to your diet when you are pregnant can reduce pregnancy symptoms like nausea and high blood pressure. There are also herbs that have shown promise in easing pregnancy-related varicose veins, digestive problems, and morning sickness.

By Jennifer Lang

As soon as I got out of bed, I knew something was wrong. My left foot felt fine, but my right one hurt each time I took a step. I did a quick mental check of potential causes: a bike ride with kids—OK. A vigorous yoga class—maybe. A 30-minute jump-roping session in my lightweight, snazzy sneakers—ouch!
For the following two weeks, I winced when I walked. An orthopedist, who X-rayed my foot, discovered a bone spur and the beginnings of mild arthritis in both feet. He concluded that I’d pinched a nerve jumping rope in non-supportive shoes. Prescription: time, patience, and no more strenuous yoga.
A week later, still in pain, I went to a chiropractor. After reviewing the doctor’s report, he felt my right foot, then left, then right again. New diagnosis: scar tissue. It’s normal, he said, but because of a severely sprained ankle 13 years ago, I had a lot of it.
Hearing about everyone else’s aches, my guess is I’m not alone. Many people walk around with vague pain in their shoulders or backs thinking they’ve got tendonitis or arthritis. What if it’s not one of those catchall “itises,” but really scar tissue? And what if healing requires a more hands-on approach and some yoga-like stretching instead of an anti-inflammatory and a sling?