Pediatric Care With Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, is a holistic medical paradigm that is intended to be utilized as “cradle to grave” care. Using the principles of Chinese medicine for pediatric care is a marvelous way to give our children the gift of good health from the earliest phases of life, when imbalances are relatively easy to correct. This is a superior course to waiting for disease and dysfunction to set in more firmly later in life, when correction requires much more sustained effort and potentially more invasive measures. Treating children is enormously gratifying, in part, because they respond so quickly to very simple treatment.
While there is increasing interest among adults in using acupuncture and Chinese medicine for health care issues, the idea of treating children with this modality is still relatively novel in American culture. There are a number of mental and emotional blocks we have about using acupuncture for children, not the least of which is the idea of the needles. Quite honestly, the needles don’t typically cause that much pain, and, if the situation is handled well, most kids don’t fuss about it. That being said, American parents are pretty apprehensive about the idea, which translates directly into the squirm factor of the child. As further described below, full pediatric care goes way beyond the use of needles.
While there is increasing interest among adults in using acupuncture and Chinese medicine for health care issues, the idea of treating children with this modality is still relatively novel in American culture. There are a number of mental and emotional blocks we have about using acupuncture for children, not the least of which is the idea of the needles. Quite honestly, the needles don’t typically cause that much pain, and, if the situation is handled well, most kids don’t fuss about it. That being said, American parents are pretty apprehensive about the idea, which translates directly into the squirm factor of the child. As further described below, full pediatric care goes way beyond the use of needles.
Non-Needle "Acupuncture" Therapy
The purpose in using acupuncture is to manipulate and re-balance the Qi by utilizing the access points along the meridian channel system. Fortunately, there are methods of achieving this beyond the use of acupuncture needles. The acupuncture points themselves can be stimulated in a number of ways, including manual pressure, magnets, cupping or heat application (moxibustion). More modern technology allows us to use methods such as the application of red or near infrared light at the surface of the skin. Children respond marvelously to this form of acu-”puncture.”
Herbal Therapy
As with adult treatment, Chinese medicine offers modalities of treatment beyond acupuncture. Chinese herbal therapy is the classical way to treat many of the more common childhood illnesses and health concerns and is typically preferred over acupuncture for pediatric treatment.
Lifestyle Therapy
Lifestyle factors play an enormous role in the health of children. Many times, dramatic improvements in what otherwise seem intractable problems can be achieved solely with lifestyle modifications. Specific recommendations are tailored to each individual child, depending on their particular health issues. Typical adjustments involve changes in the diet and sleeping habits.
Common Pediatric Issues Treated
allergies
ADD/ADHD
asthma
digestive disorders
sleep issues
night terrors
bed-wetting
chronic constipation or diarrhea
delayed growth or development
frequent infections
poor immune function
childhood infectious diseases
colds and flu
temperamental issues (excessive tantrums, defiance, aggressive behavior, anxiety)
issues with transitional phases (toddlerhood, puberty)