Acupoint stimulation is safe for children and adults. Pediatric acupuncture is safe when performed by a trained practitioners. For children with low immune function or blood cell problems your acupuncturist may make adjustments to the type and timing of treatments.
Make sure your child has received an accurate diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider.
Make sure you schedule your child's appointment so that it is not right before any activities that may be stressful on your child.
Make sure your child has a chance to eat about two hours before the session.
Make sure your child avoids any stimulants, such as drinks that may have caffeine in them.
Dress your child in lose clothing so that it can be easily moved out of the way, as needed.
Try to be early for your child's appointment instead of waiting until the last minute to leave and rushing. Making sure your child is not stressed right before the appointment will help you get better results.
Acupoint stimulation is done by touching specific acupoints on the body. Your child's specialist will create a treatment plan that is based on your child's symptoms, as well as what you are hoping to treat.
Shoni [SHOW-nee] shin: This is a Japanese type of painless acupuncture done with no needles. Trained practitioners use small, metal shoni-shin tools to scratch, tap or brush on the child's skin over acupuncture pathways. This treatment gently relaxes and simulates the child's body back into balance. Shoni-shin was developed in Japan and remains a main method of acupuncture in children there.
Acupressure [AK-yoo-pressure-er]: This is a method of touching or massaging specific points on the child's skin. The caregiver puts gentle pressure on these points to relive pain, nausea, and anxiety. You can be taught to use acupressure on your child.
Most children do not think these treatments are painful. Many say shoni-shi feels like light tickling. Some say acupuncture feels like a small mosquito bite, if they feel it at all.
Talk to your child's healthcare provider to get a better understanding of when you can expect to see results from your child's treatment.
Your child's healthcare provider will work with you to create a follow-up plan that is designed to help your child get the best effects from treatment.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes many different practices. It has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness for more than 5,000 years. Its philosophy is rooted in Chinese writings and family practices passed down from generation to generation. Today, TCM and western medicine are practiced together in many hospitals and clinics throughout the world.
Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the idea that vital energy, called qi [CHEE], flows throughout the body in energy pathways called meridians. Disease happens when the flow of energy is blocked, stagnant, or overactive. Health returns when qi flows easily and is undisturbed. The goal of TCM treatments is to balance and strengthen the flow of qi through the body.
Shoni [SHOW-nee] shin: This is a Japanese type of painless acupuncture done with no needles. Small tools are tapped along the energy meridians.
Acupressure [AK-yoo-pressure-er]: This is a method of touching or massaging specific points on the child's skin.
Acupuncture [AK-yoo-pungk-cher]: Pediatric acupuncture is a specialized approach to acupuncture for children. It's done by inserting hair-thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body.