Traditional Chinese Medicine & Kids
Looking for alternatives to keep your child healthy? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a safe and effective option. Acupuncture is often the first treatment that comes to mind but TCM incorporates several more therapies. Some of which can involve both parent and child in the treatment and prevention of common ailments as well as fostering long term healthy habits.

Acupuncture can be used to treat children as the needles used are very fine and retained for a shorter time compared to adults. If the child (or parent) is apprehensive about needles Tui-Na, Chinese massage, is a good alternative. Tui-Na uses the same principles as acupuncture, with specific techniques used on different points or areas of the body. Some basic techniques may be taught to parents to use at home for milder conditions such as cough or stomachache.

Cupping and moxibustion are two more therapies which can be used separately or in conjunction with acupuncture. Cupping is the application of glass cups over parts of the body. The suction inside the cup helps increase circulation to the area, draw out fluid if there is swelling or clear out heat in the case of sore throat or feverish sensations.

Moxibustion is a therapy that uses burning herbs, which sounds dangerous but is actually very safe. The most common herb mugwort can be used in a stick, low smoke form which is then lit on fire and held over top of the needle or points on the body. It produces a warm, relaxing sensation which can be used to ward off colds, soothe an upset tummy or sore back. I often give one to patients for home, without the needles of course!

The last therapy but one of the most common for kids is the use of Chinese herbs. Herbal formulas, which come in tincture form, are easy to administer and very effective in treating common childhood ailments, such as allergies, asthma, cough, skin rashes, sore throat, upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation. Herbs are just an extension of healing foods, which can be very simple to prepare and often taste better than the formulas. An easy recipe to help with a cough is steamed pear with honey. The honey soothes the throat while the pear can help eliminate phlegm and ease the coughing.

~Angela

Angela Foran is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists. She is also a member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of BC. Angela opened her own clinic in Vancouver in 2009 (www.meridianflow.ca).

In addition to her community work in Vancouver she has also been involved with the Pan African Acupuncture Project. In 2008, she made two trips as a volunteer to Uganda to train health care workers to perform acupuncture on those suffering from HIV, TB, malaria and related illnesses.

Labels: acupuncture, Angela, childhood ailments, Children, Chinese herbs, cupping, illness, kids, moxibustion, sick, TCM, Traditiional Chinese Midicine

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