As a Holistic pediatric acupuncturist I combine many of the Traditional Chinese healing modalities as well as other holistic wellness practices into a specially designed session for your child. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers valuable tools to support the physical, psychological and spiritual health of children at all developmental stages. We take into account the constitutional nature of the child, the developmental phase they are in, the strength of their digestion and immunity, and the degree to which they are being affected by stagnation in the form of food and mucous accumulation or lingering pathogens from a previous illness or vaccination.
We work with several modalities for children. Acupuncture needles, which we refer to as “taps” which are designed especially for pediatrics. Although acupuncture is very effective as a modality it is not the only choice for your childs wellness. We also utilize non-acupuncture techniques such as Microcurrent (which is completely painless and safe for newborns), Tuina massage (a type of meridian massage on acupoints) Essential oils/Aromatherapy on acupoints, Cupping and Nutritional/herbal remedies.
Traditional Chinese medicine encourages a childs body to heal itself. You can consider our office like an old fashioned medicine doctors, offering many paths to wellness and old world methods of illness care. Before seeking your MD you can visit us to help provide your childs system with every possible avenue for health and wellness…..a visit to us can also answer many questions and concerns you may have about an occurring illness or symptom. We are considered “general health care providers” and do accept most insurance plans covering acupuncture. Please inquire with us for your specific plan.
How long is a session?
Sessions last anywhere from 10-30 minutes depending on what modality we use and what pace we need to go for each individual child.
Each treatment is unique just as all children are, we are flexible and guided by their comfort and energies in the present moment. The Holistic Pediatric office is meant to be calming and enjoyable for the child, we may or may not get to use acupuncture but we find the modality that is most comfortable for them and work with that.
Does it hurt?
Pediatric acupuncture is mostly painless. On a rare occasion sensation is felt and feared and we work to calm the child and move in a different direction with the treatment. Children mostly love acupuncture and microcurrent is also a very effective and reliable modality that we can use on its own or in conjuction with “taps”. Microcurrent is painless.
Can Acupuncture help my child?
Acupuncture is ancient wisdom that has been utilized as a pathway to wellness for centuries. Children respond very quickly to acupuncture. Our session is a total wellness package for your child. We treat the root of the problem in order to resolve it at its core. Our bodies are designed to heal themselves and with children this comes very easily. We tell children that we are like detectives solving the mystery of a problem in their body. By inserting “taps” or using microcurrent or any of the other modalities we choose specific points that are like clues to unlock your body’s healing powers. We have fun with it. Children love acupuncture
What age range is it for?
All ages from newborn-adults can benefit from acupuncture and Chinese medicine. We utilize nutritional protocols and Chinese herbs as well which are all designed specifically for your childs 5 element constitution and occurring symptoms.
How long will it take to see improvement?
This depends on the child, their age and constitution as well as the condition being treated. I recommend a minimum of 6 sessions for any condition, although a single acupuncture session can be beneficial for an acute condition like a cold. A condition like ADHD can also be treated with Chinese medicine but requires a nutritional component and is more likely a 12 month commitment to wellness.