Traditional Chinese Medicine for Children

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Children, or Pediatric TCM, has been helping children feel better for thousands of years. It is a safe and drug-free health care alternative for kids. It can be very effective in treating both acute and chronic conditions and is an excellent form of pediatric medicine: safe, drug-free, holistic and curative.

Pediatric TCM includes acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, and TCM dietary therapy.

Practitioner Qualifications

Pediatric TCM is different than TCM for adults, so in addition to a standard training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, a practitioner who treats children will have done specialized, extra study of Pediatric TCM.

A Long Tradition

Pediatric TCM has a history of continuous development over the last 2,500 years. During this time principles of diagnosis and treatment of disease have been refined to a high degree of accuracy by the cumulative experience of centuries of Chinese doctors.

Traditional Chinese Medicine works on very different principles from Western Medicine, principles that may seem strange when viewed from a mechanistic standpoint, and yet Traditional Chinese Medicine is the world's second largest medical system serving 1.5 billion people worldwide.

Common pediatric conditions for which Pediatric TCM is regarded as effective:

Respiratory

• Flu and colds
• Cough
• Pneumonia
• Asthma

Digestive disorders

• Stomach aches
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Teething
• Nutritional impairment

Sleep

• Insomnia
• Bedwetting
• Sleepwalking
• Lethargy

Constitution problems

• Hyperactivity
• Dyslexia
• Learning disabilities, including ADHD
• Headaches Insomnia
• Failure to thrive

Other benefits of PediatricTCM

It is quite common for a child's well being to show marked improvement in other aspects of their daily lives. It has been noted that a child's spirit, happiness, energy, and vitality blossom. In this way, Pediatric TCM can be beneficial for easing children though the many changes they have to go through in their lives.

What happens during a Pediatric TCM treatment session?

The first visit takes between 30 to 45 minutes. After establishing the general nature of your child's complaint, the practitioner spends some time closely observing the child, taking a pulse, listening to the heartbeat and lungs, and talking to the child about what is going on. Even the youngest child responds well to this. Through looking, asking, listening, and touching, enough data can usually be gathered to make a good working diagnosis according to the principles of Pediatric TCM. From this, a treatment plan is developed and discussed with you and your child. Treatment may include acupuncture, moxibustion, and Chinese medical massage.

Pediatric TCM Acupuncture

When working with children the actual time of the acupuncture is very brief. Children feel the effect immediately and often start to feel better right away. I have found that parents sense this change in their children during treatment, and will often remark that "something is different!" In the course of treating children with acupuncture over the last 10 years I have found that the younger children, mainly those under 7, rarely need much actual acupuncture, as it is a very powerful tool to be using with such a very sensitive patient. Older children often have stronger constituions and their patterns of health or imbalance are more developed. These kids can handle the strong effects of acupuncture better; but I am still very conservative when it comes to selecting points and treating.

Acupuncture needles have been approved by the FDA as medical tools; and it is our industry standard to use only sterilized single use needles. When working with children I use very fine needles from Japan. They are of the highest quality and my patients seem to prefer them.

Pediatric TCM Moxibustion

Sometimes the practitioner uses moxa, a smoldering herb, held near certain parts of the body to gently warm. Many children find this particularly relaxing and often fall asleep.

Pediatric TCM Cupping

Sometimes cupping is used to apply suction on certain points. This technique helps to improve circulation to particular spots in the body.

On the Parent's Lap

Under the age of seven years, the safest place for a baby or child is on the parent's lap. The child does not have to sit still (unlike adult acupuncture), as the needles are not kept in. Subsequent consultations, lasting between 15 and 30 minutes per child, start with a few questions and a brief reexamination to determine your child's progress, followed by the treatment for the day.

The number of treatments that will be necessary vary depending on the severity and duration of the condition, as well as the strength and constitution of your child. In considering your child's case, the practitioner works to shed light on the root causes of the condition. You and your child will then be advised to take appropriate measures.

If you need to know more

Please contact Chris Huson, L.Ac. via email: mrhuson@mindspring.com, or call the Clinic: 206-323-3277, xtn 2.