Acupuncture can help humans of all ages, although the treatment of a 4 year old looks quite different from that of a 40 year old. The beauty of acupuncture is that it is completely tailored to fit the needs of the patient. Here are some things to know if you are thinking about acupuncture for your infants, toddlers, kids, and teens.
Kids heal faster than adults.
Their resilient little bodies are constantly growing and changing, causing their cells to continuously regenerate to keep up with their growth. They also typically haven’t been out of balance as long as most adults have. Acupuncture, sometimes in conjunction with some lifestyle or diet changes, can really help a kiddo along with their healing process. Remember, your body wants to heal - it’s our job to figure out what’s holding it back. Click here to read about the average treatment frequency.
They don’t need as many needles.
Youngins also don’t need the needles in for as long as adults. Typically little bodies don’t require as many needles because they respond easily. For them just a few needles can be enough to give their bodies the message. A toddler typically only needs 3 or 4 points needled, and they may only stay in for 1-5 minutes. In infants, the points are needled in and out, no retention time is needed.
Kids make the best patients.
We all know kids can be a little too honest. Well in our case, that’s exactly what we want. They tell us if their needles hurt or how they feel, and they tell us (maybe in their own little way) exactly what their problem is. No adult judgement or hesitations to get in the way.
The community setting is comfortable for kids.
This looks and feels nothing like going to the doctor. Kids can be in the treatment room with their parents right beside them. They can wear headphones and listen to music or watch a movie on their device. They benefit from having others in the room - seeing all kinds of people of varying ages resting calmly and peacefully. If you feel your little one is too young to sit still quietly (this is a hard one even for many adults!), then we can comfortably, easily and quickly treat them in another space.
Kids are brave. Acupuncture is foreign to many people and we get that. We try to make it as comfortable and common as possible. Our clinic does not look like a medical center, it’s homey, clean, and comfortable. We don’t talk (unless you ask) about how to balance your Yin and Yang energies or use other acupuncture lingo. The needles are literally the size of a couple strands of human hair - you might even refer to them as pins because they are nothing like the needles we are used to at the doctor. They are gently tapped into the skin, and are left in very superficially. Some of the needles won’t be felt, some may feel like a mosquito bite or a pinch but that goes away almost instantly. Nothing about the experience is scary, and your acupuncturist will always follow your child's comfort level.
Acupuncture treats everything. All childhood conditions big and small can be treated with acupuncture. Here’s a list of a few:
Acne
ADHD
Allergies
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Back Pain
Bed Wetting
Cancer Support
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic Fatigue
Constipation
Depression
Dermatitis (Eczema)
Diarrhea
Endometriosis
Flu & Colds
Hay Fever
Indigestion
Insomnia
Menstrual Cramps
Muscle Strain & Sprain
Nausea & Vomiting
Night Crying
Premenstrual Syndrome
Psoriasis
Sinusitis
Stroke
Urinary Incontinence
BAC treats people of all ages, from just a couple weeks old and up. When you make an appointment for your little one, please let us know it’s a child coming in so we can be a little more prepared time wise. We can’t wait to see you and your kiddos!