SuNu Wellness Center Opens in Minnetonka

Aches and pains, allergies, digestive troubles—for these kinds of chronic conditions, most of us are tempted to reach for traditional medicine with visits to a specialist, prescription drugs, lab tests and more. But a growing number of patients are gravitating toward alternative or naturopathic therapies—either instead of or in addition to their traditional treatments.
    
At Minnetonka’s SuNu Wellness Center, chiropractor Susan Quigley leads a team of alternative practitioners, each with her own niche. We talked with Quigley about her center, her passion for holistic care and her advice for people who are looking for a new way to take care of their bodies.

A New Beginning
“SuNu means ‘new beginning’ in Sanskrit,” Quigley explains. “Its other meaning is ‘to bring forth a son.’ When I was expecting my first baby, I realized that I needed to follow my dreams, rather than going back to my chiropractic work as an employee.”
    
Quigley knew from the beginning that she wanted SuNu to be more than just a chiropractic clinic, so the center also offers acupuncture, massage, naturopathic medicine, yoga and life coaching.
    
“Everyone at SuNu has an interesting personal story about how they got on this path,” Quigley says. “I’ve seen a chiropractor since I was 2 years old! I’ve known since I was 8 that I wanted to be part of that and help people get better. My chiropractor was the happiest guy in the world.”

Choosing Holistic Medicine
Most people seek out alternative therapies in addition to traditional medicine, says Quigley. “For most of us, [alternative medicine] is in conjunction with Western medicine… It’s important to weigh the options before making a decision about how we want to live in our bodies.”
    
Most patients come to SuNu after they’ve tried more traditional solutions and are looking for better results. “They get used to living with pain or digestive problems or sleep issues, and they lower their quality of life,” Quigley says. “I often hear patients say, ‘I didn’t know I could feel this good!’ or ‘I didn’t know there was another option.’ ”
    
Jacqie Lind of St. Louis Park connected with Quigley when she was eight months pregnant, and had some hip adjustments done, a special treatment for expecting moms called the Webster technique. “I believe her work was a part of my fast, easy and natural childbirth,” Lind says. “SuNu was with me through my journey of pregnancy.”
    
Even after her daughter was born, Lind has continued to visit the center for post-natal care and help with nursing. “I appreciated the fact that not only was it OK to bring my baby in with me, but they encouraged it,” she notes, adding that she had her baby adjusted as well. “I’ve never felt like just another appointment … they are invested in me as a person.”
    
Whole Body, Whole Family Care
Quigley and the other practitioners at SuNu collaborate on patient’s cases, working together to design and fine-tune a care plan. After a client arrives for a first consult, maybe in nutrition or massage, the team gets together to discuss other options. “Maybe she also needs acupuncture,” Quigley offers as an example. “We also co-manage some pieces with patients’ primary care physicians,” she says, like fertility treatments or autoimmune disorders. “We really get to the root of what [clients’] health concerns are and fine-tune with different modalities.”
    
One of the most sought-after services is a food sensitivity test, Quigley says. “Rather than a yes/no, are you allergic or not, the test looks at a spectrum of how sensitive you might be to 96 different foods. It’s been remarkable to see the results.” The test has helped patients overcome chronic conditions like migraines, acne, fertility issues and more.
    
And SuNu’s not just for grown-ups, Quigley says. The center offers pediatric exams and milestone checks for little ones—especially helpful for parents who are exploring alternative medicine for their kids and want to see what it’s like in a low-pressure setting.
     
Above all, SuNu is a place that helps people feel better—from the moment they walk in the door. “Clients really feel like they’re listened to. Their practitioner cares about getting them better, and it feels good,” Quigley says. “The energy is good.”

SuNu Wellness, 12455 Ridgedale Drive, #203, Minnetonka; 952.314.7035.