Children are not small adults
The classical pediatric texts treat children as their own field. A child's digestion is still developing, their defenses are still learning, and their patterns move quickly in both directions: they can become unwell fast, and they often settle fast too. An old saying holds that in children the Liver tends to have too much and the Spleen too little (肝常有餘，脾常不足), which is why so much children's care starts with digestion and sleep.
Families bring children to us for recurring colds, coughs and seasonal illness; poor appetite, tummy aches, constipation or loose stools; sleep trouble and night waking; skin flares such as eczema; and some eye conditions, including nearsightedness and lazy eye. Older children and teens also come for painful periods, acne and posture and scoliosis concerns.
What we use
The plan depends on your child's age and condition:
- Herbs. A classical formula chosen for the pattern, adjusted for the child and given in a form they can take. See Chinese herbal medicine.
- Light Japanese-style needling. A gentle technique with very light contact, suited to children who are sensitive or nervous.
- Scalp acupuncture. Fine needles in zones of the scalp, used where the condition calls for it. See scalp acupuncture.
- At home. A few acupressure points and food advice you can use between visits.
When to get urgent care first
Some signs need a doctor before anything else. Call your pediatrician or get emergency care for any fever in a young baby, trouble breathing, unusual drowsiness or floppiness, signs of dehydration (few wet diapers, no tears, a dry mouth), a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade when pressed, or a child who seems very unwell to you. For an emergency, call 911.
How progress is tracked
We agree with you on what to watch, such as sleep, appetite, bowel habits, the number of colds or the state of the skin, and review it with you at each visit. We do not promise a result or a timeline, and we tell you plainly if we think something needs your pediatrician instead.
Questions people ask
Do you use needles on children?
It depends on your child's age and condition. Often we use a gentle Japanese-style technique, scalp acupuncture, herbs, or a mix of these. Some children need no needles at all, and nothing is done without you and your child agreeing to it first.
How young can a child be?
It depends on the child and on what brings you in, so ask when you book and we will talk it through with you before the first visit.
What should we expect at the first visit?
A parent or guardian stays in the room throughout. We take a full history from you and from your child, look at the tongue and feel the pulse, and explain what we suggest and why. Visits are kept short and calm, and treatment is adjusted to how your child is doing on the day.
Will you work with our pediatrician?
Yes. Your pediatrician stays your child's primary doctor, and we never ask you to stop or change a medication. Bring any reports or test results you have, and tell us about every medication and supplement your child takes.
Are herbs safe for children?
Formulas for children are chosen and adjusted for the child, checked against every medication and allergy, and given in a form children can take. Tell us about any reaction, and stop and call your pediatrician if your child seems unwell.
