Acupuncture for Children - An Introduction

Most people today know about acupuncture as a medicine given to us by the peoples of the East. In fact, many people I meet have had some experience with it or know someone who has.

Most people have heard about acupuncture and traditional oriental medicine for adults, but fewer people are aware that acupuncture is also a health option for children. As the acceptance for acupuncture in our society grows, specializations within the field of acupuncture are emerging. Pediatric Acupuncture is one of those specializations and in the last 10 years, it has gradually started to bloom.

Even to say the phrase "Pediatric Acupuncture" is problematic for a couple reasons. One, acupuncture is not the only treatment option for children (or adults) within an acupuncturist's scope-of- practice. For example, the Chinese have developed a medical massage for children that works with the same principles of Qi and of Yin and Yang that acupuncture utilizes. The therapy is called Pediatric Tui Na. It is a series of acupressure and other manipulations that support healthy functioning of the immune, circulatory, digestive, and neurological body systems in children. The Japanese also have developed a pediatric system for treatment of children that does not use needles either. It is composed of small metal tools which are rubbed along meridians and acu-points that has essentially the same effect a Pediatric Tui Na. The Japanese system is known as Shoni Shin. These two systems are not on the radar of most parents, and as a result, they may not realize there are non-needle methods for working with their children.

Fear of needles in parents and in children is the second reason the phrase "Pediatric Acupuncture" is problematic. Knowledge of Shoni Shin and Pediatric Tui Na can be reassuring to those fears. It may also be helpful to know that nearly all children 5 years and up can withstand a few needles. And often children younger than that can overtime come to accept them as well. Acupuncture needles are considerably thinner than hypodermic needles. Hypodermic needles are where most people have, understandably, learned to fear needles. To that end, safety and play are important parts of helping a child accept any kind of treatment. I firmly believe that a child experiencing strong, fearful crying is counterproductive and not the time to treat.

When looking for a Pediatric Acupuncturist, you may interview that practitioner about their approaches to children. What techniques do they use? Shoni Shin, Needles, Pediatric Tui Na, Color Puncture, Essential Oils? How do they negotiate treatments with children? What forms of herbs do they prescribe? Are they easy to administer? Do they offer education and remedies that you can use at home? I believe giving parents protocols to support their child's health at home is essential.

Finally, the following is a partial list of situations where you may want to recruit the perspective of a Pediatric Acupuncturist into your family’s health plans.

allergies, asthma, bed-wetting, colds, constipation, coughs, diabetes, developmental delays, diarrhea, digestive problems, ear infections, eczema, emotional and mental health, failure to thrive, hyperactivity, headaches, immune health, menstrual issues, obesity, physical injuries seasonal cold and flu prevention, side-effects from allopathic medicines, sleep problems, surgical alternatives.