Watch a pediatric sample treatment in this video and read on below for all the good details!
As a parent, you want your children to thrive during childhood, and pediatric acupuncture can serve as an essential component of your healthcare plan to help them move gracefully through the natural stages of growth and development.
If you’ve had acupuncture, you have experienced that it is a holistic medicine which complements Western medical care beautifully. It is a safe, natural, and drug-free system of treatment that can help manage stress, aches, pains, digestive conditions, upper respiratory infections, focus and concentration challenges, and emotional changes.
How does it work?
By stimulating the body’s meridians – or – pathways through which Qi (Vital Energy) flows, acupuncture helps the body achieve homeostasis by moving blocked Qi and improving blood flow. Qi is an ancient Chinese term for the overall functionality that provides nourishment for our cells, tissues, glands, and organs. From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture has been proven to be effective at balancing hormone regulation, calming the nervous system, and boosting immunity.
At your child’s first appointment, we will discuss their health history with you, assess their pulses, look at their tongue, and/or palpate their abdomen to formulate an Eastern medical diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan. We often recommend coming in for at least 4-6 (weekly or bi-weekly) treatments to start. We will teach parents acupressure to do regularly at home for even more efficient healing.
Does pediatric acupuncture hurt?
No. Children usually ave an abundance of Qi, as compared with adults, so we generally use non-insertion techniques. These include the light tapping of acupuncture channels and points with Japanese shonishin tools), cupping (light suction with silicone or glass cups), acupressure, pediatric massage, moxibustion (gentle warming of acupoints with compressed herbs), East Asian nutritional therapy, essential oil therapy, and herbs.
From time to time, children are familiar with and/or desire acupuncture needling. There is a slight sensation upon insertion, which usually subsides after a moment or two. These are not retained very long.
What does acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as effective in treating a variety of conditions that affect children and teens, including, but not limited to:
Anxiety
Asthma
Bronchitis
Common cold
Digestive problems, such as diarrhea and constipation
Emotional problems
Headache
Incontinence
IBS
Menstrual irregularities
Migraine
Nausea
Pain
PMS
Pneumonia
Sinusitis
Sleep disturbances
Sore throat
Stress
Tooth pain
Vomiting
Acupuncture is a perfect tool to empower children and parents to grow and thrive together – safely and happily! We’re now offering the opportunity for a parent to get treated in one room while we treat your child next door during your rest. Please call our office to find out more about how we can help complement your child’s current medical care!