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Acupuncture & Non-Needle Techniques

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What is paediatric (child) acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of health care that has been practised in different parts of the world for approximately 2500 years.  It is a branch of Chinese medicine.  Acupuncturists are trained to use subtle diagnostic techniques to determine the nature and location of imbalance in the body.  The focus is on the individual, as well as the illness.

Acupuncturists follow the wise words of Hippocrates who said:
‘it is more important to know what kind of person has a disease than what kind of disease a person has’. 

Paediatric acupuncture

Every symptom a child has is seen in relation to each other. Treatment involves a variety of different techniques that affect the flow of the body’s qi, or vital energy, and help it to regain equilibrium. Paediatrics has been recognised as a specialism within the acupuncture tradition for over a thousand years.  Chinese doctors understood that children are not simply ‘mini adults’ and that they need different care.  They skilfully adapted their diagnostic and treatment methods to suit children.  Over the last few decades, pioneering acupuncturists in the West have further adapted those methods to ensure that acupuncture is a well-tolerated and effective method of treatment for today’s children in the Western world.

The reality is that, when practised in the right way, acupuncture can be almost painless and is accepted by the vast majority of children. However, there is a small percentage of children for whom being needled is genuinely terrifying. This may be a child who is particularly sensitive to pain, or who has had some trauma in the past.

Child-friendly needles
Acupuncture needles are incredibly fine, and the ones used with children are even finer!  They are about the width of a single hair. At The Little Acupuncture Room, we use a ‘child-friendly’ needle technique, which is an almost pain free method of inserting acupuncture needles. In one treatment, depending on the age, condition and constitution of your child, as few as two needles may be used.  Up until the age of about seven, the needles are inserted and withdrawn immediately so your child does not need to stay still for any length of time.

Non-needle techniques

Every child who comes to The Little Acupuncture Room needs a slightly different approach and a different method of treatment.  We will tailor everything to suit the nature and needs of your child.  Treatment needs to be effective but your child's experience also needs to be a positive one.  The following will give you an idea of some of the methods we may use to help your child feel well again.  Sometimes we may use one method, and sometimes they will be combined. We will always explain to you and your child (depending on their age) what we would like to do and check with both of you beforehand that you are happy.

Low level laser acupuncture

Paediatric Tui Na

Shonishin or 'Children's Needle'

Moxibustion

Cupping

Press seeds

Low level laser acupuncture

A laser pen applies a quantity of therapeutic light to the acupuncture point over which it is held.  The process is totally painless for the child.  The effect of a laser pen is as close as it is possible to get to that of a needle without actually using a needle.

In a typical treatment, anywhere between two and eight acupuncture points may be treated with the laser pen.  The pen is held over each point for approximately twenty seconds.  An entire treatment may be done only with a laser pen.  Some children are happy to be needled in certain parts of the body but not others, in which case the treatment may be carried out partly with the laser pen and partly with needles.

At The Little Acupuncture Room, we use a state of the art 3B laser pen.  This is entirely different from the type of laser that, for example, a surgeon would use (Class 4 laser). The Class 3B low level laser does not cause any damage to body tissue.   After over fifty years of research, there has not been one reported side effect when using this type of laser therapy. 

Paediatric Tui Na

Paediatric tui na is a wonderfully effective system of massage.  Whilst being a systematic, medical treatment, it developed out of a mother’s innate instinct to stroke, touch and caress her baby or young child.  Therefore, it is practical, intuitive and easy to deliver.  Babies and children usually love it. 

Paediatric tui na involves using a variety of different movements, ranging from stroking to tapping, on different parts of the child’s body.  The areas that are used are ones that are easily accessible on babies and young children.

At The Little Acupuncture room, we tend to use paediatric tui na on babies and children up to the age of approximately seven.  However, there are times when it may be suitable for older children too.  We will put together a routine that is specific to the needs of your child and will often teach it to you so that you can perform it on your child at home too.  Paediatric tui na may be used on its own but  will sometimes be combined with needles, moxa or laser acupuncture.

Shonishin or 'Children's Needle'

The Japanese term shonishin, meaning ‘children’s needle’ refers to a method of treating children that dates back to the 17th century. However, it is a method that does not actually use needles.  Instead, various tools are used to stroke or tap areas on the child’s body.

‍Shonishin is a light and non-invasive method of treatment which can bring about profound changes in a baby or child.  At The Little Acupuncture Room, we may use it on its own or combine it with another treatment method.  It is used with a wide range of babies and children with different conditions, from premature babies to teenagers on the autistic spectrum.

Moxibustion

If your child suffers from a condition which, in Chinese medicine terms, is energetically cold, we may use the ancient technique of moxibustion as a part of their treatment.  Moxa involves warming an acupuncture point with a herb (dried mugwort).  There are various different ways of applying this warmth and which we use will depend largely on the age of your child.  The most common way is to hold a cigar-like stick of lit mugwort close to the point, but not touching the skin.  Most children love moxibustion and find it very relaxing.

Cupping

Cupping is another ancient technique which has been used in Chinese medicine for many centuries.  At The Little Acupuncture Room, we may use it on your child if they have an acute condition, such as a cough or cold.  We may also use it if your child has a pain condition, such as a sports injury.  Cupping involves placing either a glass or silicone cup on a part of the body with the use of suction.  Most children find being cupped fun.  Once they have experienced it once, they tend to ask for it every time!

Press seeds

At the end of a treatment, we may put a press seed on a specific acupuncture point either on the body or the ear.  This very gently stimulates the point. Once it is on, the child will usually forget it is there.  We will give you a supply of press seeds so that you can replace them when necessary, together with instructions on how to do this.

Home treatment

Paediatric tui na and shonishin can be taught to parents to perform at home.  There are several reasons why we often ask parents to give their child “treatment” between their visits to the Little Acupuncture Room:

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The Little Health Hub
West Oxford Community Association Centre
Botley Road
Oxford  OX2 0BT

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