If your child has a health problem that isn’t responding well to Western medical treatments, chances are pediatric acupuncture can help.
Acupuncture safely and effectively treats many common pediatric conditions and has been used in China for thousands of years. At our clinic, we believe that every child is unique and deserves an equally unique approach to treatment.
We focus on understanding your child’s health condition and creating an individual healing program that addresses your child’s symptoms along with the underlying cause.
Individual healing programs include a combination of acupuncture or non-needle techniques:
Acupressure and massage at home
Changes to diet and/or lifestyle
Prescribing natural remedies
Determining your child’s unique Five Element Type
Seasonal and preventative support
Pediatric Acupuncture Works Well for the Following Conditions:
Sinus infections, headaches
Allergies, colds, congestion
Ear infections, ear pain, clogged ears, cough
Bronchitis, asthma, cough
Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, IBS
Growing pains, sports injuries, broken bones, rheumatoid arthritis
Eczema, hives, rashes
Tics, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, autism
Aren’t Kids Afraid of the Needles?
Many kids are leery of needles and naturally want to avoid the pain of a shot or blood draw. We totally understand!
Fortunately, pediatric acupuncture is completely different than a shot! Because acupuncture needles are so different than hypodermic needles, we call them “taps.” Taps are hair-fine pediatric needles that create a virtually painless experience.
The term “tap” references the rubbing and tapping that is done to desensitize the point before we rapidly tap the needle in. Most kids are pleasantly surprised with how easy and painless acupuncture is. We recommend avoiding the terms needle, prick, pin, or pokey when talking to your child about acupuncture.Is acupuncture required or are there other options?
We have many different treatment options for children, so acupuncture is optional. On the first visit, we will show your child what “taps” are and ask if they’d like to give it a try. When most kids see how easy and fast it is, they’ll try it.
However, it’s most important for us to build trust with your child. So, if your child is still reluctant, we can switch to non-needle techniques like micro-current, acupressure, ear seeds, or a special Chinese pediatric massage called tuina (pronounced twee-nah).
Non-needle techniques have a similar therapeutic effect to acupuncture and can be effectively used instead. We find that, in most cases, once we build trust and rapport with a child, they will eventually try acupuncture.
Can my child still take medications or undergo Western medical treatments?
Yes! Chinese medicine works to restore balance and helps stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. You can safely use acupuncture and Chinese medicine in conjunction with other medical treatments. We will work with your child’s doctors and send progress reports to keep them up to date on your child’s progress to facilitate your child’s healing.
- copyright Robin Green