Most people believe that acupuncture cannot be used on children. The reason behind it, as in many cases for adults as well, are that most people are afraid of needles or potential pain. The majority of my patients are pleasantly surprised when during their first visit, their treatment is virtually painless. In cases with children younger than 3-years-old, I use 24-karat gold plated beads instead of needles. It tell them that ‘we are playing stickers.’ The beads are attached to a surgical adhesive tape, so I am able to place a bead first on Mom’s hand, then on mine, and then the child usually asks me to place one on him or her as well. Little do they know that I am placing the beads in a special spot called acupressure points. Frequently all three of us will cover the spots with small cartoonish stickers also. For the children over 3-years-old, I use needles with a gauge as thin as a human hair.

The latest study on the subject of treating kids with needles was conducted in Harvard Affiliated Children’s Hospital. The study included 243 children and teenagers, their ages ranging 6 months to 18 years old. It was a one-year study. They were treated for headaches, stomach pain and back pain specifically. They used a 1 to 10 scale for pain, where 1 is no pain and 10 was the worst pain tolerable. In one year, the level of pain went from an 8 to a 3 overall. They also observed that the participants in the study missed less school, slept better and were able to participate more in extra curricular activities.

What kind of conditions can acupuncture help in children?

  • Pain: All types from headaches or stomach aches to structure related neck and back issues.
  • Asthma: In my practice many children (under their pediatrician’s observation) were taken off of steroid inhalers by using acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
  • Strengthening of the immune system: Children frequently come to my office with their parents complaining about six to eight colds or flus a year. Being in crowded classrooms, cross contamination can happen frequently. It’s almost impossible to avoid contact with other children who are sick. So keeping their immune systems strong is one of my first priorities when working with them.
  • Acne: From the Chinese viewpoint, acne is a result of toxins being blocked in the skin. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs in addition to small changes in hygiene and one’s lifestyle are very helpful to alleviate acne whether it occurs on the body or face.
  • Nervous system issues, ADHD, and insomnia or other sleep disorders such as night terrors: Acupuncture is especially helpful for kids with active and mixed sub type ADHD. With 5 percent of the world’s population, “the United States consumes 90 percent of Ritalin,” says Dr. Hong, who has conducted a clinical study on this subject. Many parents come into my office sleep deprived for 4 or 5 weeks because their children are not sleeping for a variety of reasons. Acupuncture is helpful in getting things back on track.

In conclusion, parents interested in pursuing natural therapies should consult a practitioner of TCM and their pediatrician both. If a pediatrician is not familiar with acupuncture in the treatment of children, or recommends avoiding acupuncture all together, I usually provide the pediatrician with scientific and clinical data to better educate them on making their decision.