Chinese Medicine for Children

In clinic most days I will get asked by clients, can you use Acupuncture and Chinese medicine for children and my response is always the same, absolutely yes!

Acupuncture is an excellent form of treatment for children as it is safe, effective and has no side effects. It works by stimulating the child’s body to heal itself.  It has a long and respected history in China and is an amazing preventative treatment for childhood illnesses.

Parents are often reluctant to bring their children for treatments as the thoughts of having their children needled is off-putting.  Rest assured though that children enjoy their treatments and look forward to coming.  At a child’s first visit, I always talk to the child so that they understand Acupuncture and that they are happy to give it a try.  I often ask mum or dad if I can insert the needle (which is super fine and tiny) in them to let the child see what’s involved.  The needles can be removed at any time at the child’s request.  With children younger than 5 years old the needle is inserted and removed immediately.  With older children the needles are retained for at least 10 minutes.  Children can even be treated while sitting on mum or dad’s knee so lots of cuddles during the session means that it’s over in such a short amount of time and sometimes both parent and children alike are; “oh it is done already”

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine are used in treatment of babies and young children.  It doesn’t always have to be acupuncture needles there are other techniques that can be used such as Moxa, which involves burning a stick of mugwort above acupuncture

Points to warm them and stimulate them.  Another option is Acupressure which involves gently applying pressure to acupressure points and these techniques can be taught to mum and dad to do in between treatments.

I have had great results in treating digestion issues for new babies, colic is a major discomfort for the baby and also very upsetting for mum and dad.  It can be a tremendous way of regulating a baby’s digestive system and can be used to treat trapped wind, diarrhoea and constipation giving relief to baby and also to worried mums and dads too.

Babies can also be prone to fevers. Acupuncture is a great way for treating fevers in babies, which may be preferable to using over the counter medicines. Similarly, teething can cause a lot of distress, pain and fevers and again can be helped.

It can help strengthen the immune system, especially if they are prone to recurrent colds, coughs, ear infections, hay fever or tummy bugs. Eczema and ADD/ADHD respond well too.

If you would like any more information then please feel free to contact Niamh at Anam Mai Acupuncture to discuss how acupuncture and Chinese Medicine could help your child and you.