Does bringing your child for acupuncture feel daunting/scary?
Does bringing your child for acupuncture feel a bit daunting or scary ? The biggest barrier to more children having acupuncture treatment is their fear that it will hurt or you as a parent being concerned about how this will be for your child. In this post I am going to try and give you an understanding of how we treat children (babies and teens) in the Blossom Tree Children’s Clinic and how we make the experience enjoyable and fun!
- At the clinic one of the number one principles is children don't need to do anything they are not comfortable doing. We take things really slowly and try to make things Fun! For younger children we use toys and play and often insert “magic wands” with a spell! After the treatment smaller children get to choose a sticker from the magic box. For older children and teens we get to know them and build rapport.
- The acupuncture needles we use for children are ultra fine and so the sensation is much milder than that of adult acupuncture needles. We have many children who come to the clinic who have become very comfortable with acupuncture needles and even enjoy it when treatment is approached in the right way.
- For some children needles aren’t tolerated and that’s ok. We still have plenty of ways in which we can treat a child who does not want needles including: Chinese Massage (tuina), moxibustion (burning of mugwort just above but not on the skin), laser and dietary therapy.
- Part of the treatment is always to give parents and children dietary guidelines based on the individual child and the seasons. Chinese dietary therapy has a very unique approach to diet that strives to PREVENT illness through a series of very practical principles.
For more information about the Blossom Tree Children's Clinic or to book an appointment visit: