Once your child arrives in the world, it has a lot of adjusting to do. This adjustment period is sometimes wrought with problems like indigestion and a lack of sleeping time, and, as many parents know, this isn’t just a problem that occurs in the newborns! You might think that Traditional Chinese Medicine does not have much to offer children, especially since they’re scared of needles and not very prone to sitting still, but there are alternative treatments that TCM offers including Shonishin and Tui Na that are both gentle and effective. This article describes some of the ways that Chinese Medicine can help children of all ages.
So, let’s suppose you have completed all of your prenatal acupuncture sessions, delivered your beautiful bundle of joy, and are now going through all the motions involved with being a new parent. Now, who can you turn to when your child has a problem? What are your complementary health care options?
Many people are aware of the chiropractic, naturopathic, and osteopathic care options, but what about Traditional Chinese Medicine for children?
You may be thinking “my child can’t sit still for that long” or “my child is afraid of needles,” in which case you’ll be happy to learn that there are treatments your acupuncturist can do that do not make use of needles at all! A special form of acupuncture called Shonishin uses small tools to stimulate the meridians and apply pressure to the acupuncture points without ever inserting a needle. Another popular technique employed by acupuncturists includes Pediatric Tui na massage therapy. Tui Na is common for babies and very young children as their meridian systems and nervous systems are not fully developed yet. Cupping (without fire) is another needle-free modality that can be used to help with pain and digestion.
Several common concerns for children can be addressed using Chinese Medicine principles including:
- Digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea, stomach-aches)
- Allergies
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Injuries
Please keep in mind that Traditional Chinese Medicine for children is meant to complement and not to replace the care of your Western medical doctor, and as such your family doctor should be consulted before seeking complementary care.
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