Paving Stones to Good Health
Since the Song Dynasty (960-1279) paediatrics has been a specialised subject in Chinese Medicine, and it recognises the difference between children and adults in diagnosis and treatment. As such specific acupuncture, massage and cupping techniques used are safe, gentle and effective.
When treating children, it is not just about clearing their symptoms, but laying down the paving stones that create a path to good health that will take them into adulthood.
Acupuncture is highly suitable for children as it is a gentle mode of treatment; is free from side effects, and is wholly suited for many of the most common childhood conditions like coughs, asthma, hayfever, glue ear, digestive orders, insomnia, anxiety, bowel problems and bed-wetting.
“My daughter suffered from a nasty facial rash that made her feel very self conscious; three treatments and it cleared up! I was delighted as this meant we avoided medications that in the long term could have damaged my daughter’s skin.”
Treating
In my children’s clinic each child is treated according to their personal story of illness. Time is taken to listen and understand their story, and how it interrupts or influences their daily life. This means that the treatment process is taken at the pace a child can cope with; gently, and with consideration.
Some children will not tolerate needles so there are alternative modes of treatments such as laser pen, paediatric TuiNa (Chinese form of massage), Gua sha, cupping, acupressure, moxabustion, press needles and seeds that can be used instead. For the more braver child they often enjoy needling and the novelty of it.
Treatment process
At an initial appointment all aspects of the child’s life is discussed with both parent and child; from the complaint they want treatment for to how a child sleeps, eats, friendship groups and hobbies. Time is taken to chat to the child and learn about their favourite games, friends, pets etc in order to glean and understand who they are as little people.
This is followed by the Chinese medicine diagnostic of taking pulses and looking at the tongue. If the child feels comfortable and happy to proceed, a small treatment will follow.
Most complaints will require a number of frequent treatments, and these will always start with a chat about progress made followed by a treatment.
Babies
The first few years of a baby’s life is very dynamic; from being thrust out of a snug, warm and dark womb to a bright, and noisy world.
The incredible growth and development that they go through from suckling, weening, growing teeth, walking and starting to say first words, is a journey often interrupted with colic, small fevers, teething pains, rashes and many more ailments.
Through gentle acupuncture treatments babies can be encouraged to thrive, shake off coughs and colds and build a strong constitution.
Physical health
From young years through to teenagers there are many health issues that may arise and blight progress and development.
Digestive issues of constipation, vomiting, or food allergies, migraines, hay fever, growing pains and menstrual problems are a few of the many conditions that can be eased and cleared thus making the transition of growing to an adult smoother; giving good building blocks for a healthy adult life.
Mental health
In this fast and busy modern world filled with pressures of fitting in with the right crowd, being seen to be having the perfect life, and using the right App or web platforms can be overwhelming. These modern stresses are having a tangible negative effect on many children’s mental and physical health.
At a low level this can manifest as sleeping issues and mild anxiety, but can escalate to depression, eating disorders and self-harming.
Chinese medicine looks at the body as a whole system; mind, body and spirit, and views treating the mental, physical and spiritual levels as interacting influences on each other. Therefore, through gentle and regular treatments acupuncture can encourage rebalancing of the body, mind and spirit: leading to confidence returning, and a general sense of wellness, mental stability and happiness.