Portland Acupuncturist Press

Plenty of acupuncturists in Portland say they will treat kids, but very few actually specialize in Chinese medicine for children. It's important to consider the background, education, and treatment style of a practitioner along with their area of expertise when considering a good match for a child. Sensible parents would never use an adult brace to fit a child's leg or administer an adult dosage of medication to treat a 40 pound child. In the same sense, parents should carefully choose an appropriate complementary medicine practitioner for their children.

I chose to study the specialty of TCM pediatrics because I have two children whom I wish to raise into healthy adults. I also love to work with kids and understand that Chinese medicine holds a vast depth of knowledge relative to pediatrics.

Pediatrics is one of the oldest specialties of Chinese medicine and the earliest written texts on pediatrics in China go back to 200 BC. Some of these very same texts were the first in world history to document chicken pox, measles and small pox. It is clear from their emphasis on pediatrics that these physicians of old saw a need for a different approach to childhood illness. They ultimately refined Chinese medicine techniques to address the unique aspects of a child's developing system.

Chinese pediatric massage is one of many time-tested techniques that have survived into contemporary usage. This gentle massage is a subset of Chinese tuina massage. In China today, Chinese pediatric massage is valued highly as an effective, low cost way to maintain healthy, happy children.

Chinese pediatric massage as practiced at Singing Bird involves an extremely light touch with very quick, short repetitions. From a Chinese medicine perspective, children need very little stimulation to affect a change in the movement of energy or qi. Children's energy pathways are still in the process of development. Therefore, Chinese pediatric massage uses different meridians than those found on adults. In particular, the meridians used with children are largely represented on their hands, back and torso.

At the end of a pediatric treatment session, I teach the attending parent the massage to use on their child daily. Parents usually find that the massage is easy to perform at home and is not physically strenuous to administer. Performing the massage at home takes less than 15 minutes a day!

Even though Chinese pediatric massage is light and gentle, it's benefits are quite significant. General massage can improve resilience, strengthen organ systems and tone muscles. Specific techniques can clear up illness, resolve digestive problems, restore healthy respiration or help settle the spirit.

Appointments last 45 minutes to one hour. Each appointment allows time for discussion of the child's complaints, treatment and a chance for the parent to learn the massage. I also recommend traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulas in the treatment of children.

Below is a list of conditions addressed with Chinese pediatric massage:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Bedwetting
• Chronic Cough
• Chronic diarrhea
• Colic
• Constipation
• Developmental delays
• Ear infection
• Eczema
• Frequent colds or flu
• Growing pains
• Recurring headaches
• Insomnia
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Reflux

If you have any questions or interest in Chinese pediatric massage simply comment below or email me.