About Children's Acupuncture

Many people are surprised to hear that children can have acupuncture.

In fact children, from babies all the way through to teenagers thrive and do well with treatment. This is because they are growing and changing so rapidly, that imbalances in their body can be corrected, with a range of simple techniques. Treatment incorporates many different modalities, which may not necessarily include needles especially if they or you feel unsure about them.

No matter how idyllic life is, many of us also remember how challenging childhood can be. Sometimes a little extra help and support is needed, and this is where acupuncture comes in. Whether your child’s health issue is acute or chronic, treatment can help them to flourish.

Bringing their Qi into balance in early life can help to head off issues later on and may avoid a lifetime of other health problems. Please get in touch and we can have a chat.

If you are not sure whether Acupuncture treatment is right for your child, please get in touch and we can arrange a free 15 minute phone consultation.

How it works

As your Acupuncturist I will spend time getting to know your child, as it is really important to me that both of you feel comfortable and enjoy coming for treatment.

At the first appointment I will take some history and details about the main complaint, the thing that you are seeking treatment for. I will also look at your child’s tongue and may take their pulse. These steps allow me to make a diagnosis. Then we do a first treatment.

The first appointment may be a little longer to reflect this information gathering stage (up to 45 minutes) but I will try to keep it as brief as possible. Subsequent appointments will last about 30 minutes.

I may give you instructions for some simple, gentle massage to do at home in between appointments and also give recommendations for dietary or lifestyle changes that will support your child’s treatment.

Child Friendly and No-Needle Acupuncture

Some children are happy to be needled, but if not, there are many different ways to treat them. These are some of the other techniques that I use, which are especially good for a child who may be nervous about needles.

• Paediatric Tui Na is a system of Chinese medicine massage which is most suitable for babies and children up to the age of 7, although it can sometimes be used for older children. It is soothing, enjoyable and highly effective. I may show you some tui na to practice in between appointments, to continue the treatment at home.
• Shonishin or children’s needle, is a gentle, non invasive, Japanese acupuncture technique, in which areas of the body are stroked or tapped.
• Moxibustion involves warming specific points with dried mugwort according to your child’s diagnosis. Cupping is a fun and dynamic treatment which involves placing silicone cups on the body with the use of suction. This is particularly good if a child has pain, constipation or even a cough or a cold.