Chinese medicine is foreign enough to most people that even if they’re willing to give it a go themselves, they often are reluctant to try it with their children. There may be an element of just not realizing that Chinese medicine can help, and I can certainly understand why people could be worried about having lots of needles in their children, so most people will be relieved to know that we only use needles on children over the age of seven. Younger children receive a treatment called Shonishin, which is a massage technique using some rather fun tools. Kids respond very quickly, often by calming down and enjoying it. There are also many pediatric herbal formulas that can help with anything from colic to bed-wetting.

I’m currently in my school’s Pediatrics class and really thoroughly enjoying it. One of the best parts about it is the “Full-moon Clinic” we do following an Asian tradition of giving children preventative treatments around the full-moon. Parents can come in with their children for a free treatment and we get some hands on experience. We had babies from 3 months to 9 year old kids and it’s been really powerful to watch and learn and see the differences in the ages and responses.

I think working with kids has really reinforced my feeling that instead of treating acupuncture and herbs as alternative treatments that we try as a last resort, we may be better off going to them first, and calling on the big guns of Western medicine when the less invasive attempts don’t work.

For those parents, grandparents, and healthcare practitioners out there who are interested in a good guide for when to use which “alternative” therapies and when Western medicine is the way to go, my teacher  highly recommends Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child.