The treatment of children in Japanese Acupuncture is a specialized field. Shonishin, or “Children’s Needle” Therapy, was developed 250 years ago in the Osaka region of Japan. This system combined traditional Chinese non-insertion techniques with Japanese massage methods to produce a method that is gentle and effective.

A child’s physiology is different to an adult’s and up until the age of 5, no needles are inserted. After the age of 5, gentle insertion may be practiced but with discernment and only when trust with the child has been established.

The approach when treating children is as follows. First, the child’s system is regulated through the use of a “General Whole Body Technique”. This is achieved by using light rhythmic pressing, tapping and rubbing along particular meridians of the body with specialized tools made from gold, silver, copper and steel.

Next, parents of the children are taught to do the “General Whole Body Treatment” in the clinic under my supervision. When they have a command over this technique and have a satisfactory understanding of the treatment principles, they are encouraged to treat their children at home. This basic and safe technique is proven to have a powerful effect on the wellbeing and health of the child.

Additionally, in the clinic, I do the more specialized treatments which target the child’s particular symptoms and review the parent’s home treatments.

Children’s bodies are very responsive to treatment and it is common for the child to have a slight rise in body temperature after treatment or perhaps have a loose bowel motion.

Children’s acupuncture can be effective in treating the following symptoms:

• irritability, hyperactivity, trantrums and insomnia usually seen in children between the ages of 3months to 5 years.
• Night terrors – often seen in children aged from 2 years until commencement of school.
• Gastrointestinal problems/dyspepsia – upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting or constipation, poor appetite. This often concerns psycho-emotional factors rather than gastrointestinal viral and bacterial infections
• Respiratory and ear, nose and throat problems – bronchial asthma, chronic nasal congestion or a running nose, often related to allergies and diet
• Tonsillitis and ear infections
• Bedwetting
• Eczema
• Low immunity with tendencies to catch colds
• Stuttering and stammering.