Many parents are discovering that pediatric acupuncture or acupressure can help their child with common concerns such as digestive issues, weak immunity, skin conditions, anxiety and stress, insomnia, ADHD, autism, and more. However, parents are understandably concerned about what the session will feel like for the children – especially if the parents have not received acupuncture before.
The good news is that pediatric acupuncture can be entirely pain-free! For young children (ages 8 and under) I typically use a style called shonishin which is a Japanese pediatric approach that uses acupressure with specialized tools. These blunt metal tools are gently glided, rubbed, or pressed against the skin at specific points on the body to enable healing. With this approach, nothing is puncturing the skin. Kids usually love this treatment since it feels somewhat like a massage. Furthermore, depending on what the child’s health concerns are, I may incorporate some massage techniques into the treatment as well.
For older children who need a bit of a stronger treatment I will often combine elements of shonishin with the use of a few very thin acupuncture needles. These needles are literally hair-thin – so thin that they can easily be bent nearly in half. I usually let the child play with the needle first so they can see how small and thin it is. I will use a small number of needles where needed on older children and typically they either feel no pain or just a mild twinge as the needle is inserted.
In all cases with children, if anything about the treatment feels painful I’ll modify it so it becomes pain-free. The most successful way to treat kids is to ensure they like the treatment and want to come back for follow-up visits. Additionally, if the treatments create pain or fear, then the child will not be able to relax and receive the treatment well. So in all cases, making sure that the child is comfortable and at ease is highly important.
Lastly, some parents wonder whether their hyper or sensitive child will be able to sit still long enough for treatment. If a child is unusually mobile I’ll typically use only acupressure. My experience is that after one or two treatments, the child will generally be able to settle down enough to receive a few needles if the needles are necessary. Moving around with the child as they explore the treatment room or get fussy is part of my job, and I enjoy it!
If you have any additional questions about pediatric acupuncture, don’t be shy to reach out. I look forward to helping your child with his or her health!
