Babies, Children and Teenagers

Although many people wouldn’t think of using acupuncture to help young people, it can be a very simple and powerful way to care for them - and doesn’t have to involve needles.

Acupuncture can be used to treat many different issues in childhood and during the teenage years. Some of the most common conditions that I see in clinic are

  • Digestive problems (including colic, constipation & diarrhoea)

  • Sleep

  • Bed wetting

  • Persistent coughs, runny noses and repeated infections

  • Asthma & Eczema

  • Headache & Migraine

  • Anxiety, stress, fear, anger or feeling low; and other emotional ups and downs that may be unsettling for the child or teenager

  • Tricky effects of hormones

I have attended specialised courses in working with teenagers who are experiencing difficulties with their emotions and mental health.

When treating young people, I usually use press needles (a small round plaster with a very fine point at it’s centre), gold or silver “seeds” on plaster, or massage techniques. When I do use needles, they are especially fine and inserted and withdrawn so rapidly that they often go unnoticed. Only 2 or 3 points are used during a treatment.

I may also show the parent/carer easy massage routines that they can use on their child between appointments which can be very beneficial.

To learn more about acupuncture for babies, children and teenagers you can visit the HOPA website at www.paediatricacupuncture.com