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Children (and their parents!) love Chinese medicine!
In children, we use a massage technique called Pediatric Tuina (pronounced twee-NAH). Different areas of the baby's hands, feet, back, tummy or face are massaged to help ease the symptoms they are experiencing and to treat the underlying cause of the disease.
While needles CAN be used in children, I find that these simple massages are as effective (and less invasive - I always go for the least invasive treatment!). In addition, parents can be taught the massage routines to be done at home!
We can also use Chinese herbal formulas to help our babies and children feel better soon!
So, what sorts of health problems in children can be treated with Chinese medicine?
Tuina Massage and Chinese herbs can usually be used in conjunction with biomedical treatments, but always discuss with your acupuncturist and doctor as to the appropriateness of these treatments for your child and their health problem.
When my girls (ages 3 and 5) start feeling like they're getting colds, they ask me for their herbs. Yep, both girls are able to take teapills, though tinctures could work just as well for children who are unable to swallow pills.
When my sister's newest arrival suffered from extreme colic, we found that some simple massage techniques combined with herbs (in tincture form this time) made all the difference in the world for her!
Children respond very easily to Chinese medicine. They don't have the years of imbalance that we adults do that is behind their illnesses. There's less to sort out!
If your children suffer from some of the symptoms above, consider Chinese medicine - as any parent knows, the whole family will rest easier when everyone's feeling their best!
In children, we use a massage technique called Pediatric Tuina (pronounced twee-NAH). Different areas of the baby's hands, feet, back, tummy or face are massaged to help ease the symptoms they are experiencing and to treat the underlying cause of the disease.
While needles CAN be used in children, I find that these simple massages are as effective (and less invasive - I always go for the least invasive treatment!). In addition, parents can be taught the massage routines to be done at home!
We can also use Chinese herbal formulas to help our babies and children feel better soon!
So, what sorts of health problems in children can be treated with Chinese medicine?
- Colds and Flus
- Colic
- Digestive upsets
- Teething
- Eczema
- Asthma
- ADD/ADHD
Tuina Massage and Chinese herbs can usually be used in conjunction with biomedical treatments, but always discuss with your acupuncturist and doctor as to the appropriateness of these treatments for your child and their health problem.
When my girls (ages 3 and 5) start feeling like they're getting colds, they ask me for their herbs. Yep, both girls are able to take teapills, though tinctures could work just as well for children who are unable to swallow pills.
When my sister's newest arrival suffered from extreme colic, we found that some simple massage techniques combined with herbs (in tincture form this time) made all the difference in the world for her!
Children respond very easily to Chinese medicine. They don't have the years of imbalance that we adults do that is behind their illnesses. There's less to sort out!
If your children suffer from some of the symptoms above, consider Chinese medicine - as any parent knows, the whole family will rest easier when everyone's feeling their best!
