Supporting Children and Babies with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

Caring for your little ones

Helping to keep your children healthy

I use a Japanese style of treatment called shonishin which is a non-invasive technique involving stroking and tapping along certain acupuncture channels and points. A special blunt tool is often used to stimulate selected acupoints according to meridian therapy.

Shonishin is particularly useful for respiratory and digestive issues in babies and children. Commonly treated conditions include:

• Digestive issues; constipation, diarrhoea, low appetite, colic
• Respiratory and Immune issues such as frequent coughs and colds, allergies, asthma
• Skin conditions such as eczema and atopic dermatitis
• Behavioural issues such as ADHD
• Sleep problems including night terrors, bed wetting

Shonishin, like TCM, is a holistic method of treatment meaning that each child will have an individual treatment specific to their diagnosis. Since children are more 'yang' in nature they usually respond very quickly to treatment.

Sometimes it may be necessary to prescribe herbal medicine. For babies we might make up a herbal bath to help with eczema or skin problems rather than using internal medicine and for older children we might make up a tea or herbal syrup (we’ll try to find the gentlest way for children to take their medicine that will create results).

When treating children, we consider the whole family dynamic and lifestyle, everything from diet to allergens and relationships. Treatment may involve some dietary changes or changes to routine such as bedtimes, often I will show parents some simple shonshin massage and acupressure techniques they can use with their children to help support their treatment. Most children find acupuncture quite fun and enjoyable!

If you want to find out more about how Chinese Medicine can help you, please get in touch to discuss treatment options and appointment availability.