Pediatrics
Acupuncture is also used to treat children from newborns to teenagers and many of the Mums that have used acupuncture to conceive and throughout their pregnancy are keen to use Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to treat their babies and children. It is a natural safe and effective treatment for children. All of our members treat children and some of our members have undergone specific postgraduate training in this area. This icon will be shown in their profile:
Acupuncture for children involves a special gentle needle technique and the needles are often not retained which makes acupuncture a quick and painless treatment for the baby or child. The child will often remain on the parents lap while the treatment takes place so they feel very secure. We engage children in the treatment process, appealing to their natural curiosity which quickly evaporates nerves. In our experience children respond quickly to treatment and really enjoy their sessions. If the child is older and is happy to leave in the needles then this is done too.
Cupping and moxibustion – both heat treatments – can also be of great benefit and can be used in conjunction with acupuncture or as standalone treatments. For children who are afraid of needles, these heat treatments or Tui Na massage, Sho ni Shin or acupressure is really beneficial. Acupressure can be taught to the parent to administer at home.
Lastly, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine treatments also take into account the diet of the child and nutritional and lifestyle advice according to Chinese diet therapy. This is discussed with the parent(s) as part of every treatment.
Some of the common conditions treated are:
• Digestive disorders such as constipation, diarrhea, nappy rash, teething, colic, abdominal pain, vomiting, nutritional impairment.
• Respiratory disorders – fevers and influenza, chronic/acute cough, pneumonia, asthma, whooping cough.
• Infectious diseases – measles, mumps, tonsillitis, hayfever, ear Infections, glue ear.
• Eczema, dermatitis, chickenpox and thrush (Oral).
• Insomnia, night terrors, autism, ADD, ADHD, nocternal enuresis (bed wetting), urinary tract infections, glandular fever and many more.