6 Common Questions about Paediatric Acupuncture!
April 20, 2023
1. How old does my child need to be for paediatric acupuncture?
We treat children of all ages, 0-18. Even pre-term babies can be treated!
No baby is too young to benefit from treatment. However for younger babies, non-needle techniques will generally be used.
2. What conditions may paediatric acupuncture be helpful for?
The list of conditions for which paediatric acupuncture can be supportive is long and diverse. The best way to find out if acupuncture can help with your child’s specific problems is to contact us and have a chat.
Some of the most common conditions for which we see children in clinic are:
- Respiratory and allergic conditions
- Digestive disorders
- Mental-emotional and behavioural disorders
- Sleep problems
- Skin diseases
- Urinary disorders – including bedwetting
- Congenital conditions such as cerebral palsy
- Problems associated with puberty
- Menstrual conditions in teenage girls
3. My child does not like needles at all, can they still have treatment?
Yes, paediatric acupuncture is so much more more than just needles. There are many other methods of delivering treatment. This include Chinese massage techniques (also called paediatric tui na), non-needle Japanese paediatric techniques (shonishin), moxibustion, cupping and many more.
It is really important that the child finds their treatment comfortable and most children actually really enjoy their treatment.
4. Does my child need to lie still to receive treatment?
We will deliver the treatment the child needs in a way that works for your child. When treating children up to the age of approximately 7 or 8, there is no need for them to lie still. We will always be able to make it work in some way. Babies and young children are often treated on their parent’s lap.
5. How often does my child need to come for treatment?
This depends on many factors and will be different for every child. During the first session, we will discuss with you how often we will need to see your child and how many sessions we think it will take for them to feel better. If at any point during the treatment our opinion on this changes, we will communicate this to you.
Most children need a series of weekly appointments to begin with. When their condition shows obvious sign of improvement, the appointments can begin to be less frequent.
6. Does paediatric acupuncture have any side effects?
Acupuncture generally has no unpleasant side-effects. Occasionally there may be minor bruising at the needle point. Sometimes there is a short-term and temporary flare-up of your child’s symptoms.
It is important to always make sure you see a practitioner who has had specific training to treat children. Here at Natural Solutions Marieke has completed post-graduate training in paediatric acupuncture and loves treating babies, school age kids and teenagers.
How do I make an appointment for my child?
You can make a booking for paediatric acupuncture here. If you’re not quite sure if we can help your child please call on 0414067874 or send us an email.
If you’d like to read a bit more about it, visit this page on our website.