If you’ve clicked on this page, you most likely have a child who struggles with one or more of these chronic childhood conditions: asthma, allergies, skin conditions, ADD/ADHD, Autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, digestive problems, depression, or anxiety. Modern conventional medicine may symptomatically manage these problems with medications, but side effects and the potential for lifetime dependence on medications is leading families to look for more natural solutions that also address the underlying cause of the disorder.

You might wonder, Can my child even get acupuncture? The answer is Yes! Infants, children, and teens can all receive and generally enjoy acupuncture. Safe, effective, and practically painless, acupuncture offers effective and lasting solutions for a range of children’s health conditions. Any child can receive acupuncture, with needles being inserted and quickly removed, or retained for a short duration, depending on the child's comfort and ability to be still. Typically, kids feel calm and relaxed during and after treatment as their health conditions steadily improve over time.

We also have a wealth of other tools to treat children. Chinese herbal medicine, homeopathy, and nutritional supplements all provide daily support when kids aren’t in the treatment room. Whether teas, pills, or dissolvable pellets, this is an important component to their ongoing wellness, and your child’s practitioner will find a method that fits their condition and their comfort.

If you, like many parents, suspect that your child’s diet is a part of the puzzle but aren’t sure what to change, we can help with that, too. Nutritional counseling is a big part of all treatments at MHS no matter the patient’s age. Most pediatric treatment strategies succeed because of the willingness of a child (and their family) to work with food as the easiest and most available form of medicine! Your practitioner will help coach you on the best foods for your child's condition.

Combining acupuncture, herbs, supplements, and nutrition allows us to address the root of your child’s health condition. Your child will receive truly holistic treatment that supports their development as a whole person. As a safe and effective alternative or complement to conventional medicine, kids quickly learn that acupuncture helps them feel better, and can be a part of their healthcare for the rest of their lives.

A note about bringing your child in for acupuncture: Please read BEFORE their appointment

If you're bringing your child in for acupuncture for the first time it is important that you have a conversation with them about what will happen BEFORE they come for their treatment. We recommend that you prepare your child for the fact that there will be needles. Do not skip this part, kids know when they are not being told the truth. 

Explain that the needles are the size of a cat whisker, that the needles will go in just under their skin and come right out, and that they are painless. Your wording is important here. If you feel your child will react better to a word other than “needle” then use whatever language will help them feel comfortable (e.g. pin, Chinese medicine tool, rainbow unicorn energy wand… you know your child better than we do). Kids often ask whether it will hurt, and the answer is no! They will feel a “tap” when the needle is inserted but beyond that, they won't feel much of anything at all.

It's not uncommon for children to at first be against the idea of getting acupuncture, therefore many parents find that offering some kind of small reward on the condition of completing their first treatment (a treasured snack… that coveted toy or game…) provides enough incentive for the child to be brave and go for it. Some children find comfort in holding on to a stuffed animal or blankie during the session.

Before their visit, watch these videos with your child so they know what the needles look like and see how easy it is:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IuXMBN8SL1Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3IawxibRzs

Please remember that an appointment's time is finite; if we have to spend a lot of time trying to convince the child to get acupuncture, there may not be enough time for the actual treatment. Talking to kids about acupuncture before they come in empowers them to be prepared for their visit and gets their bodies, minds, and energy ready for what will happen. Children who are prepared for acupuncture will be less afraid at their first visit (and even genuinely excited to try it), more consistent with treatments, and therefore have better outcomes.