The Real Truth About Acupuncture for Babies and Children Under Age 7

The Real Truth About Acupuncture for Babies and Children Under Age 7

It's not surprising to me that there are some misconceptions about pediatric acupuncture floating around. Some of the common ones are that pediatric acupuncture is hard and kids don't like it, but the most damaging misconception is that it's unsafe! Some acupuncturists even believe that if you needle babies or kids under age 7 you might permanently damage their acupuncture meridians.

I'm so glad that this misconception has been brought to light because it is without a doubt 100% false!

Seriously, the idea that you would hurt babies and children with acupuncture was shocking to me (and all the babies I've treated - witness super happy baby getting acupuncture)! Interestingly, I traced it back to social media but beyond that I couldn't find the real source.

You see, that belief was never a part of my TCM education.

My first pediatric professor, Lucy Hu, L.Ac., MD, was a pediatrician in China. She fearlessly needles babies and children of all ages because she knows that acupuncture can help when Western medicine isn't enough. She's has a 30 year history of successfully treating babies and children that doctors had given up on. Here's a picture of me and Lucy:

Hmmmm… Where did this idea that you can't needle babies and young children come from?

I own just about every pediatric text available so I did some research looking for such a reference and I couldn't find one anywhere (but if you know which ancient text this comes from please let me know - I'd love to see it)!

The idea of forbidden needling for babies likely originated thousands of years ago.

Let's take a moment to travel back in time to 100 AD when the Nei Jing (Inner Classics) was written. Let's imagine what acupuncture was like back then...

• Would the needles have been sterile? Heck no!
• Would they have been rather large and painful? You bet!
• Would you want to use that type of needle on the delicate skin of a baby or child? No way!

Thousands of years ago acupuncture would have been unsafe and painful to the delicate skin and immature immune systems of babies and young children.

Now, let's fast forward to the 21st century...

Modern acupuncture is safe and effective. We now have 46 gauge dark blue Seirin needles that are so fine they're about the size of a strand of hair! Today's pediatric needles are sterile, disposable and virtually painless! It's a totally different story today.

Here's the truth (and a little history) of pediatric acupuncture

While pediatric tuina was mentioned in the Nei Jing in 100 AD, it wasn't until 1031 AD that the first pediatric textbook was written which outlined a different pathophysiology for children compared to adults. It really wasn't until the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century that special herbal formulas and acupuncture protocols were introduced for children. Two texts outlined pediatric acupuncture protocols, A Collection of Pediatric Cases (You Ke Lei Cui) and Essentials for the Care & Protection of Infants (Bao Ying Cuo Yao) written in 1534 and 1556 respectively. In the 20th century there was a veritable explosion of pediatric acupuncture texts published and pediatric departments established in hospitals all over China. In 1934, pediatrics was officially recognized as a TCM specialty. Modern Chinese hospitals blend both Eastern and Western medicine and it's a common practice to treat a child with IV antibiotics as well as acupuncture and herbs. I can also tell you from my 10 years experience working with kids that acupuncture won't hurt a baby or child or damage their meridians in any way. But don't take my word for it.

Here's what modern pediatric acupuncturist masters have to say on the topic:

And here's what the babies and kids I've treated have to say about it:

That fact of the matter is acupuncture is just one of MANY modalities we can use today to treat kids, and we shouldn't let misconceptions stop us from using it on children. Children enjoy the same self-healing benefits as adults and they also experience relaxation and a sense of well-being after treatment. I know I don't have to convince you that pediatric acupuncture is safe and effective, but if you see someone who's clearly misinformed about modern pediatric acupuncture feel free to point them to this blog article. Warmly, Robin

Original article and pictures take uw.simplerousercontent.net site

The Observer's 20 photographs of the week

The Observer's 20 photographs of the week

• 
  A South Korean car loaded with goods arrives at the customs, immigration and quarantine office near the demilitarised zone separating North and South Korea. This week Pyongyang rejected a call for formal talks to end a standoff that forced operations at the joint industrial complex to be halted. South Korea in turn said it would pull out all its remaining workers

• 
  Ultra Orthodox Jewish women pray on Mount Meron during the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer near the grave site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Lag Baomer commemorates Bar Yochai's death, and it is tradition to visit his resting place, create bonfires, and give three-year-old boys their first haircuts

most viewed

Original article and pictures take assets.guim.co.uk site

The Modern and Traditional Eastern Theory of Acupuncture

The Modern and Traditional Eastern Theory of Acupuncture

Acupuncture was developed on the understanding that there are twelve main channels, or “regular meridians” running vertically across and throughout the human body connecting the internal organs. It is a tenet of acupuncture that Qi flows along these meridian lines. Qi is somewhat equivalent to the western idea of vitality or life-force.

The operating philosophy of traditional acupuncture is that disease is caused by interrupted energy flow at specific points on the body’s surface. Acupuncture thus involves the insertion of a needle(s) at the affected point(s) in order to stimulate Qi flow and harmonize energy flow in the body.

The Scientific Explanation:

How does traditional acupuncture translate into our modern medical understanding? Researchers are examining through Western mechanisms how acupuncture brings about physiological change.

Scientific research into acupuncture in the last 25 years has brought a general advance in the understanding of neurophysiologic & neuropharmacologic pain relief mechanisms as they relate to acupuncture (the endorphin theory, the gate theory, and DNIC (diffuse noxious inhibitory control) theory). Evidence indicates that acupuncture stimulates the release of brain chemicals such as endorphins that function to relieve pain. Research shows that acupuncture strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, decreases muscle tightness, and increases joint flexibility.

Most studies on acupuncture have focused on a strong, deep needling-technique to produce neurophysiologic and/or neuropharmacologic responses. In the traditional Chinese method, it is the inducement of de-qi sensation that is emphasized to achieve positive results. Melzack and Wall, co-authors of ‘The Challenge of Pain’, even suggest that, based on their studies, the importance of intense acupuncture stimulation to induce analgesia should not be underestimated. Many Japanese practitioners use very fine needles and utilize a gentle, shallow needling technique, which has been clinically demonstrated to produce positive results.

Until recently, few studies had investigated the physiological effects of this superficial stimulation technique. A series of experiments carried out by Prof. Kazushi Nishijo’s group at the Tsukuba College of Technology in Japan clearly indicate the marked response in autonomic function following specific superficial needling. Their experiments indicated that superficial needling during exhalation in a sitting position induces a consistent parasympathetic response. The action of acupuncture synchronized with the patient’s physiological state produces a greater response in parasympathetic activity. our experiment of 1994-96 clearly indicates the significance of superficial needling in EMG activity.

Male acupuncture meridian model

The study also provides a partial explanation of pain relief and the mechanism of action behind superficial needling. It is also important to note that a reduction in EMG activity greatly varies according to whether or not the stimulation is applied during the exhalation phase in the patient’s breathing cycle or during continuous breathing.

Tanaka has been successfully utilizing SSE in his own clinical practice and he has noticed that only a small amount of stimulation is actually needed to induce the maximum therapeutic benefits if the patient’s biological rhythms are positively utilized. Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine), an ancient Chinese medical text, is so specific that it instructs practitioners to vary point selection and depth according to the season and time of day.

It also notes the importance of considering the respiratory phase during needling and the direction of the needle’s insertion. Very few acupuncturists today, however, follow the text’s specific directions. This may be due to the philosophical nature of the Huang Di Nei Jing’s claim. Physicians of old recognized the importance of the above-mentioned factors in acupuncture treatment through their own experiential observations. Successive acupuncture methodologies have been accumulating for many generations and can be described in toto, as ‘Empirical’ medicine.

It is, however at this time, necessary to re-evaluate techniques and methods scientifically to form a solid practical foundation. As demonstrated by recent studies, the effectiveness of acupuncture depends not only on point selection and needle depth, but also on the patient’s respiratory phase, posture and other more complex variables.

A great deal more research is necessary to further understand the mechanisms of acupuncture.

flare response after acupuncture

Original article and pictures take www.acupuncture-treatment.com site