What is Acupoint Stimulation? 

Acupoint stimulation is a form of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes many different practices. It has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness for more than 3,000 years. Its philosophy is rooted in Chinese writings and family practices passed down from generation to generation. Today, TCM and western medicine are practiced together in many hospitals and clinics throughout the world.

Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the idea that vital energy, called qi [CHEE], flows throughout the body in energy pathways called meridians. Disease happens when the flow of energy is blocked, stagnant, or overactive. Health returns when qi flows easily and is undisturbed. The goal of TCM treatments is to balance and strengthen the flow of qi through the body.

Acupoint stimulation is a method of balancing and strengthening the flow of energy (qi) in the body. The stimulation of “points” on the body by placing a needle or applying pressure illicit biological changes in the patient. The stimulation increases the flow of blood and “qi” to the body.

Types of acupoint stimulation used in children include:

• Shoni: A Japanese type of painless acupuncture done with no needles. Trained practitioners use small, metal shoni-shin tools to scratch, tap or brush on the child’s skin over acupuncture pathways. This treatment gently relaxes and simulates the child’s body back into balance. Shoni-shin was developed in Japan and remains a main method of acupuncture in children there.
• Acupressure: A method of touching or massaging specific points on the child’s skin. The caregiver puts gentle pressure on these points to relieve pain, nausea, and anxiety. You can be taught to use acupressure on your child.
• Acupuncture: Pediatric acupuncture is a specialized approach to acupuncture for children between the ages of 1 month to 18 years old. A trained practitioner inserts hair-thin, sterile, single-use needles into the skin at specific points on the body. Sometimes small bandages with tiny stimulating beads/tacks/magnets are used. These are called “acubeads”, “acutacks” and “acumagnets”.

Most children do not think these treatments are painful. Many say shoni-shi feels like light tickling. Some say acupuncture feels like a small mosquito bite, or a gentle finger flick, if they feel it at all.

What are the risks and/or side effects?

Acupoint stimulation is safe for children and adults. Pediatric acupuncture is safe when performed by a trained practitioner. For children with low immune function or blood cell problems your acupuncturist may adjust the type and timing of treatments.

What are the benefits?

Pediatric acupuncture can be used to manage symptoms associated with the following conditions:

• Allergies
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Bed wetting
• Cold and flu
• Colic
• Constipation
• Cough
• Cancer
• Diarrhea
• Ear infection
• Eczema
• Emotional outbursts
• Headaches
• Muscle weakness and fatigue
• Nausea
• Pain (of all kinds)
• Poor sleeping patterns
• Seizures and epilepsy
• Stomach aches

How do I prepare?

To help your child prepare for an acupoint stimulation appointment, you should do the following:

• Make sure your child has received an accurate diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider.
• Make sure you schedule your child’s appointment so that it is not right before any activities that may be stressful on your child.
• Make sure your child has a chance to eat about two hours before the session.
• Make sure your child avoids any stimulants, such as drinks that may have caffeine in them.
• Dress your child in lose clothing so that it can be easily moved out of the way, as needed.
• Try to be early for your child’s appointment instead of waiting until the last minute to leave and rushing. Making sure your child is not stressed right before the appointment will help you get better results.

How is it done or administered?

Acupoint stimulation is done by touching specific acupoints on the body. Your child’s specialist will create a treatment plan that is based on your child’s symptoms, as well as what you are hoping to treat.

Your child will be asked to lie down on a padded table and may be asked to change into a dressing gown, depending on what needs to be treated.

When will I know the results?

Talk to your child's healthcare provider to get a better understanding of when you can expect to see results from your child's treatment.

What are follow-up requirements and options?

Your child's healthcare provider will work with you to create a follow-up plan that is designed to help your child get the best effects from treatment.

Support and Resources

LTA355 Traditional Chinese Medicine

LTA104 Acupuncture for Children

FS470 Acupressure

Muscle relaxation and breathing techniques are a simple way for your child to get in touch with their body and gently release tension from their muscles and mind. These include massage, meditation, biofeedback, yoga, Tai Chi, and progressive muscle relaxation, which can help your child reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and tension, activate relaxation response and enhance their sense of well-being.

These are easy techniques that, once learned, can be used by your child on their own to reduce their reactions to stressful situations and help calm themselves. This self-regulation is a great boost to self-esteem and is a lifelong skill. Feel free to contact us and learn how to help your child through these techniques.

Medical Massage

Clinical massage is a medically recognized, integrative medicine service. Clinical or medical massage uses evidence-based techniques to treat a specific chronic or acute condition and can require multiple or frequent visits in order to improve overall health and recovery. Research has shown that massage therapy can ease both physical and emotional symptoms associated with several chronic conditions.

Some of the benefits may include:

• Less anxiety and tension
• Reduced pain
• Relaxation
• Improved healing/immune function
• Improved gastrointestinal functioning
• Improved sleep patterns
• Improved focus and attention span
• Improved circulation
• Reduces painful muscle/tendon contractions & spasms
• Calms & reduces pain messages to and from brain
• Helps relieve joint pain

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve health and well-being. Essential oils are the chemicals that give flowers, trees, and herbs their smell. They come straight from the plant with no added parts. Essential oils have been used for healing for thousands of years and in many cultures.

Essential oils do not treat or cure diseases, but they can help with the symptoms of many conditions. Aromatherapy is often combined with conventional medical treatments. It is also used with other CAM treatments such as massage and acupuncture. Essential oils are usually breathed in or placed on the skin.

What are the risks and/or side effects?

Medical aromatherapy has few side effects, but you should work with your child’s doctor to avoid any practices that can hurt your child or their treatment. For instance, an oil might interfere with another medicine your child is taking, or it might cause an allergic reaction.

Essential oils are very strong and should only be used by trained individuals. Some essential oils are poisonous if swallowed. Some may cause skin reactions such as a rash, and others might make your child feel worse instead of better. Essential oils are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so the strength of each oil can vary greatly. Here are some general safety tips:

• Store essential oil bottles away from children and pets.
• Do not swallow or eat essential oils, as many are toxic or dangerous when swallowed.
• Use caution in young children, especially if they are younger than 2 years old.
• Before using any essential oil, talk to your child’s healthcare provider. Some essential oils can interact with your child’s other medicines.
• Never apply straight essential oils to the skin. Always dilute them with carrier oil or lotion.
• Limit time in the sun. Essential oils might make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, causing burns and irritation.
• Be considerate of how the oil’s smell affects other people.

What are the benefits?

Through smell, aromatherapy can also be used to help with many problems. Here are three examples of how three common essential oils can work:

• Lavender. Lavender is taken from the flowers of the lavender plant. It is often used to calm, comfort, or lift a person’s mood.
• Mandarin oil. Mandarin oil is taken from the peel of an mandarin fruit but may not smell just like a fresh mandarin. Mandarin oil is used to provide a calming effect and to relieve stomach discomfort.
• Peppermint. Peppermint comes from peppermint leaves. Peppermint is used to calm and comfort, and to relieve stomach upset.

How do I prepare?

Before using aromatherapy, check with your child’s doctor, especially if your child has asthma or allergies. If the essential oil is used on the skin, be sure there are no cuts or irritated skin.

Explain to your child that essential oils are another way to help our bodies heal and feel better. If possible, show what you will do first on yourself or a doll, so your child can see what will happen.

How is aromatherapy done?

Many essential oils are used in aromatherapy. Each oil has a different chemical structure that defines what it can be used for and how the body uses it.

Essential oils can help your child to relax, improve their mood, and increase their sense of well-being. Aromatherapy is different for each person and their needs. Not everyone responds the same to each oil.

Essential oils are usually breathed in or placed on the skin. Diffusers, which mix the oils with water and turn them into a mist, are available at many stores.

The essential oil’s smell enters the body through nerve cells in the nose. The nose sends signals to the brain. The brain takes these signals and changes how the person faces feelings such as discomfort, restlessness, and irritability.

Before applying essential oils to the skin, the oil should be mixed with a bland oil (called carrier oil) or lotion. The exact mixture depends on the reason for using the oil.

When will I know the results?

While you and your child might see fast results with medical aromatherapy, reaching your goal might take time. You should ask your child to tell you if the essential oils are helping or not.

What are follow-up requirements and options?

No follow-up may be needed for medical aromatherapy. If your child likes to use the essential oils, it can become part of your routine. Many people like to diffuse the oils in their home for the nice scent.

Nutrition

Nutritional advice should be given by a trained health professional. There are several diets claiming to produce a certain effect however may not be the best diet for your child.

Integrative Medicine practitioners will use their specific field of study to offer additions or insights into your child’s diet. An Eastern Medicine practitioner will provide insight into the functions and energetics of food. However, we recommend for severe and chronic issues you seek advice from an Intermountain dietician. Contact them at 801-662-5325.

Herbal Consultations 

Herbal medicinal consultations should be given by a trained health professional. It is not recommended parents purchase Chinese or other patent medicines over the counter or online. Some of the ready-made or patent medicines are contaminated by heavy metals or will have aspirin, caffeine, and prescription drugs that are not disclosed on the labels. When possible, your herbalist will prescribe bulk herbs, tinctures, powders or pills herbs from a reputable company manufacturing according to GMP (good manufacturing procedures) and approved for use in the United States. Herbal medicine can be very effective in resolving issues and most formulas will be given for a short period of time. The formula should balance the system and then no longer be needed.