Integrative Medicine & Pediatrics
Parents choose integrative medicine and acupuncture for many childhood conditions. ADD/ADHD, allergies, anxiety, migraines, and stress disorders all benefit from acupuncture and integrative therapies. Additionally, several complex health conditions are becoming more common in pediatric populations including Lyme Disease, autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, and PANDAS.
Acupuncture and various integrative medicine modalities can help children and their families work through these complicated diagnoses. During an initial pediatric consultation, I review a child's health history as well as the family health history. We develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the needs of the child and the family.
This is one of the keys in developing an effective treatment plan for kids: the plan needs to work for everyone in the household. Parents, siblings, and other caregivers also need support especially when they are responsible for helping a child recover or manage a chronic health condition. Here are a few of the frequently asked questions in my practice about treating children and teens:
What are the benefits of integrative medicine for children?
Integrative medicine treatment for children typically includes nutritional counseling, lifestyle modifications, functional medicine testing, food allergy testing, as well as relaxation techniques appropriate for all ages. Integrative medicine addresses the whole child and family with the goal of addressing the root cause of the issue. These modalities allow the child’s healing to progress naturally and benefits the overall health of the entire family.
What are the benefits of acupuncture for children?
Acupuncture is beneficial for the treatment of a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions in children. Active kids and teens use acupuncture to treat musculoskeletal injuries, concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Acupuncture treatment is also an effective tool in regards to neurological and brain-based conditions. Families may choose acupuncture as a safe, gentle, and holistic way to address many common childhood conditions in conjunction with pediatric care.
Is acupuncture safe for children?
Yes-absolutely! Pediatric acupuncture offers a safe and effective treatment option to compliment traditional pediatric care. Acupuncture treatments for children are designed to accommodate a wide range of ages and personalities. Pediatric techniques may include acupressure, microcurrent, low-level laser treatment, and Shonishin-a specialized form of pediatric massage.
As a growing percentage of the US population turns to acupuncture, the modality has become one of the most commonly chosen integrative care option for parents seeking holistic forms of healthcare for their children.
What age can children have acupuncture?
In my practice, I see a wide range of ages including newborns up to young adults. Children ranging from newborns to adolescents have a remarkable ability to adapt and recover from both acute and chronic conditions. Integrative medicine as well as acupuncture provides children a way to stimulate their natural ability to self-heal and enhance their resiliency for a wide range of common childhood illnesses and injuries.
What type of pediatric conditions can be treated with acupuncture or integrative medicine?
Allergies, anxiety, autoimmune disorders, eczema, gastrointestinal disorders , and musculoskeletal injuries all respond well to integrative therapies. In my practice, I see families and children for a wide range of conditions. Regardless of the condition, we work together to create customized treatment plans for each child and family. Each treatment plan can be adjusted depending on the child’s age, compliance, as well as a myriad of other factors.
How will I know which integrative health service or provider to choose?
When a pediatric condition is complex, I think it’s important to carefully select care providers to ensure that the practitioner has the experience to help your child progress. Bringing your child from appointment to appointment can be exhausting and draining on you both.
This is one of the reasons I encourage families to schedule a complimentary telehealth consultation. Parents are able to discuss their child’s health history in the comfort of their home prior to scheduling their first visit. Sometimes during this session, I am able to “visit” with the child or teen for a moment. This meeting allows them to talk with me in advance and ask any questions that they might have before coming to the office.
If you found this article helpful, you may also enjoy our Acupuncture for Children & Teens post.
More About OMBE
OMBE is celebrating 15 years of service in Massachusetts! Additionally, we are now scheduling in-person acupuncture sessions for our South Shore and Cape Cod clients. Telehealth consultations are available for all of our Massachusetts clients living in the Boston area, North Shore, and Western Massachusetts.
Learn more about us, read our organic health philosophy, or schedule an appointment. Contact us for any questions about appointment scheduling, acupuncture services, or integrative medicine. We look forward to hearing from you!