Pediatrics

Some of the most important decisions parents make regarding their children have to do with healthcare. Our acupuncturists are trained to work with your medical doctor to provide your child with the best of both worlds of medicine. We would like you to be an active participant in your child’s healthcare. The methods of treatment used in our clinic support your child’s innate ability to heal, and include: acupuncture, massage, nutrition, Chinese herbology, and homeopathy. Our goal is to create healthy children who will grow into healthy and knowledgeable adults.

Pediatrics is one of the oldest specialties in Chinese medicine. Children are not seen as miniature adults, and their treatments are specific to these differences. Chinese medicine sees the child’s body as immature and susceptible to certain diseases.

Children’s digestive function is considered immature until the age of six. Digestion plays a major role in the health and well being of infants and young children; therefore diet is extremely important in preventing and treating childhood disease. Children are generally more susceptible to getting sick, but they are also quicker to recover. Children respond very quickly to medicine of any kind.

When you bring your infant or child in for an appointment your acupuncturist will take a thorough medical history. Some questions will be the same as a western M.D. will ask, while others are specific to Chinese medicine. Your acupuncturist may also look at your child’s eyes, tongue, skin color, and vein at the base of the index finger. This information will guide the treatment plan.

Acupuncture: Infants typically do not receive acupuncture. Children under the age of eight can receive acupuncture. The needles are inserted and removed quickly so the child does not have to rest or hold still to retain needles. Pre-pubescent children can retain needles for up to 20 minutes. Adolescents receive acupuncture as adults.

Massage: Massage techniques including acupressure may be performed during the treatment. Pediatric massage is used to enhance the treatment, and parents will be instructed on how to continue the treatments at home.

Nutrition: Your acupuncturist will work with you to eliminate foods and habits that contribute to illness. You will be given suggestions on how to improve the digestive capacity and promote health.

Chinese Herbs: Special pediatric herbal formulas are used which combine the purest Chinese herbs into an easy to used liquid extract. Most are pleasant tasting, and can be added to a little bit of water, juice, or food. Herbs are given for acute and chronic conditions.

Homeopathy: Homeopathy is a system of medicine, which uses minute amounts of plant and mineral substances to stimulate the body’s defensive systems. The effectiveness of homeopathic treatments has been empirically documented throughout the world. Our clinic generally uses formulas of homeopathic remedies that are designed to help your child’s body to detoxify and regulate itself. Homeopathic formulas are given in tinctures or dissolvable sugar tablets.