Having raised a handicapped son who benefits greatly from his acupuncture treatments, I find a special joy and affinity in working with children. For some years now, I have become increasingly concerned about children. In treating more and more children, I have found, with greater frequency, energy imbalances that usually appear only in adults who already have one or more illnesses. There is a striking increase in mothers and fathers bringing me their children, at younger and younger ages, for serious symptoms that are not easily treated using western medicine. And the category of symptoms that stands out above all is usually associated with “stress related’ illnesses.
It is no longer just kids with asthma, headaches and tummy aches. Now, I see children with excessive worry, evidence of anxiety, anger and outright fear, sleep disturbances and night terrors. These all respond well to acupuncture.
Prevention is even more critical in children than in adults. Using acupuncture, I am often able to cut illness at its root. And by treating constitutionally, body mind and spirit, not only do the symptoms go away, but potential future illnesses can be averted. The earlier a child can be treated with acupuncture, the sooner health can be restored and the prospect of future problems diminished.
I am not unduly influenced by labels and interpretations. My diagnosis is made by taking a detailed history and observing signs such as the color on the face, the sound of voice, the underlying emotion and by using Chinese pulse taking.
I treat children as young as five. Very few, ultra-thin, needles are needed with children. Sometimes there is a little discomfit in the beginning, but children quickly get used to it, probably because they know it is making them feel better.
