Watch Corinne wax poetic about pediatric acupuncture on KGW's Portland Today.
FAQs
Why might I take my kiddo in for acupuncture?
The short answer is - lots of reasons! The longer answer is that acupuncture and shonishin treatments are great for nervous system challenges, like ADD/ADHD and anxiety; gastrointestinal distresses like constipation, diarrhea, colic, and reflux; dermatological concerns, like eczema, dermatitis, and acne; musculoskeletal problems like sports injuries, whiplash, and general muscle pain; gynecological issues like PMS and dysmenorrhea; and vascular dysfunctions like headaches and heart palpitations.
How do acupuncture and shonishin actually work?
Acupuncture works in a few different ways, but one of the most important effects that it has on the body is via the circulatory system. Once a needle is inserted, the body responds by getting blood flowing to that area. Blood is filled with yummy nutrients, hormones, the body's natural anti-inflammatories, etc. Similarly with shonishin, small tools are used to tap, scrape, and brush certain areas of the body that contain high concentrations of sensory fibers, blood vessels, and mast cells to stimulate the body's natural healing process. Acupuncture also stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin, which in turn helps to regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, our "rest and digest" center. This helps kids to feel more calm.
How many treatments will my child need to feel better?
This depends on how long your child has had the condition and what your child is doing when they are not at the clinic (e.g. are they getting adequate nutrition, sleep, exercise, and time outdoors). In general, we would like to see noticeable improvement within a few treatments. If not, we will help to find a practitioner that can help. For each child treated, Portland Pediatric Acupuncture provides a treatment plan with estimated number of treatments necessary for betterment of symptoms or full recovery from disease.
What does a treatment actually look like?