Children of all ages love acupuncture! Believe it or not, most tend to not be afraid of needles. I offer many non-needle options, although may wanted to have needles anyway. However, very few young children actually need needles. Their systems are so sensitive and new that a gentle massage or low powered acu-laser will do quite well. Herbal medicine also makes a huge impact with very small doses. Sometimes infants with are treated just by giving the mother an herb prescription, or even doing the whole treatment on the mother and not the baby, as the infant is still completely connected to her at that point.

For kids under 12, at least the first appointment is performed with a non-needle technique, unless they request needles. I always ask permission, I never push them, ever. It is their body, and their decision. Building trust and connection is vital, and the top priority in working with children (and adults, for that matter). Even with the parent in the room, I focus 100% of my attention on them, letting them tell me their story (if they are willing), and going at their place. If they want me to, I include the parent in the discussion. If the child is old enough and the parent gives permission, we can have the appointment with the parent waiting outside. If the child is too young to speak, I work more directly with the parent, but always with the child as the center of our attention and slowed down to their pace.

I began working with children before I had children of my own. I now have a 6 year-old boy and a 15 year-old step son. My 6 year-old loves to get the acu-laser and is totally comfortable with the taste of Chinese Herbs (I’m proud of this:). I love working with babies, children and teens. I so appreciate the ease with which young children understand and accept Chinese medicine. They tend to feel it and understand it far faster than most of the adults I work with.

Babies and young children often need support with things like colic, ear aches, asthma, chronic cough, immune deficiency, sleep problems, allergies, other digestive issues and trouble gaining weight.

Older children and teens may have some of these issues but they tend to need more support with anxiety, ADD & ADHD, headaches and migraines, insomnia, acne, irregular periods and other hormonal imbalances. Working with teens has opened my eyes to how much anxiety and pressure they feel, and I am honored to offer them a safe place to feel supported.

*The photo shows my son performing acu-laser on his bunny in my clinic in California.