“Shonishin” No-needle Acupuncture For Babies and Children

“Shonishin” is a style of acupuncture used on children that developed over 2 years ago in Japan . Recognising the fact that children do not like being needled, this therapy has developed specialised treatment techniques, many of which are non-invasive and thus not uncomfortable or frightening to the child.

Specialised instruments have been developed for treating children, and great care has been taken in adapting the use of acupuncture and related techniques for the treatment of children.

The general treatment can be very useful for fortifying the child's vital energy and strengthening their constitution. When correctly applied, this treatment will not only help symptoms to naturally improve, but will give a greater sense of well-being and help resolve many other small day to day problems, helping make the child less prone to illness.

The general treatment has the added advantage of being easily taught to parents so that they can use it regularly at home, thus increasing frequency of treatment and allowing parents to participate actively in the treatment of their children. This tends to reinforce the effects of treatment, and helps make the treatment more enjoyable for everyone.

A general technique of light rhythmic rubbing and/or tapping is supplemented by other techniques such as stimulating acupuncture points using a little acupressure or by leaving a press-sphere over an acupuncture point. For older children it may be most effective to include the use of a needle in which case paediatric needles are used which are inserted painlessly.

The Treatment

The initial consultation will involve taking a history to help diagnose any underlying conditions.

There will also be a physical examination, examining the abdomen, looking at the tongue where possible and taking the pulse. The appropriate treatment will be chosen by the acupuncturist who will look to regulate the energy and allow the body to rebalance naturally.

Shonishin Japanese Paediatric Acupuncture is a very gentle healing approach recognising that children need to feel comfortable with a practitioner and the treatment in order for them to settle for a stress free session for both child and parent.

Shonishin is effective on its own or will complement Western Medicine as a treatment for a wide variety of conditions.

Shonishin Japanese Paediatric Acupuncture can be used to help a range of problems including:

Weak constitution (can include those who seem to repeatedly be poorly, or underweight, failing to thrive and weak assimilation capabilities)

Behavioural problems (can include bad moods, crying at night, insomnia, excited conditions, hyperactivity, low attention levels)

Gastrointestinal upsets (including colic, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation)

Recently developed stuttering/stammering

Eczema/Asthma

Urticaria

Neurological problems from, for example; Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy

Repeated Ear infections & Chronic Stuffy/Runny Nose