Acupuncture for Kids
If your child has a health problem that isn’t resolving in a timely manner or responding well to Western medical treatments, chances are pediatric acupuncture can help.
Acupuncture safely and effectively treats many common pediatric conditions. It has been used in China for thousands of years, successfully treating everything from common childhood diseases to colic. I believe that every child is unique and deserves an equally unique approach to treatment. I focus on understanding your child’s health condition and create 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:
- Cupping and acupressure
- Acupressure and massage at home
- Changes to diet and/or lifestyle
- Prescribing natural remedies
- Seasonal and preventative support
- Aren’t Kids Afraid of Needles?
Many kids (and adults) are leery of needles and naturally want to avoid the pain of a shot or blood draw.
Fortunately, pediatric acupuncture is completely different than a shot or blood draw, as acupuncture needles are different than hypodermic needles. Acupuncture needles are hair-fine needles that create a virtually painless experience and I call them "Taps" for my needle sensitive and pediatric patients.
The term “tap” references the rubbing and tapping that is done to desensitize the point before rapidly tapping the needle in. Most kids are pleasantly surprised with how easy and painless acupuncture is. I recommend avoiding the terms needle, prick, or pin when talking to your child about acupuncture.
Are There Other Treatment Options Available?
There are many different treatment options for children and acupuncture is optional. On the first visit, I will show your child what “taps” are and ask if they’d like to try. Many times once kids see how easy and fast it is they give it a try.
I believe it is most important to first build trust with your child. So, if your child is reluctant, we can switch to a non-needle technique like micro-current, acupressure, ear seeds, or a special Chinese pediatric massage called tuina (pronounced twee-nah).
These non-needle techniques have a similar therapeutic effect to acupuncture and can be used effectively. Though, I find that in most cases, once trust and rapport are built the child will eventually try acupuncture.
Can My Child Still Take Medications and/or Undergo Western Medical Treatments?
Yes! Chinese medicine works to restore balance and help 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.
"The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.”
-- Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990"
— Wayne Fields