Clinic Information
First-time patients are asked to complete a patient history form in advance and bring all their medical records with them. A comprehensive evaluation takes place based on the medical history and physical findings. Then, a specific treatment plan is suggested and discussed.
During the first session, children may receive their first treatment, along with techniques to try at home. An initial consultation will usually last 45-60 minutes. Please note that it may take 6-8 clinic visits to see if a particular therapy is working for your child or to make adjustments to a therapy plan.
Core Principles
- To provide a partnership between patient and practitioner in the healing process.
- To provide safe and appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body's innate healing response.
- To consider many factors that influence health, wellness and disease, including mind, body, spirit and community.
- To recognize that good medicine should be based in good science, be inquiry driven, and be open to new paradigms.
- To use natural, effective, less-invasive interventions when possible.
Insurance Information & Discounted Payments
Discounts are available for patients who have no have no insurance or know acupuncture is a non-covered benefit by their insurance. There is an immediate 25% discount on the payment of estimated charges at the time of service. If the estimate is low, families have the opportunity with their first statement to receive an additional 5% discount by paying the balance in full. This brings the total discount to 30% on the entire bill. Call the number indicated on the statement to make these arrangements.
Families may elect to pay actual charges in full on the day of service in order to receive a 40% discount. This is the 25% discount for payment at the time of service plus an additional 15% discount for no balance billing needed.
Alternative Therapies for Infants, Children, and Teens
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Acupoint Stimulation
What is Acupoint Stimulation?
Acupoint stimulation is a form of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)./p>
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes many different practices. It has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness for more than 5,000 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. Types of acupoint stimulation used in children include:
- Shoni [SHOW-nee] shin: This is a Japanese type of painless acupuncture done with no needles. Small tools are tapped along the energy meridians.
- Acupressure [AK-yoo-pressure-er]: This is a method of touching or massaging specific points on the child’s skin.
- Acupuncture [AK-yoo-pungk-cher]: Pediatric acupuncture is a specialized approach to acupuncture for children. It’s done by inserting hair-thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body.
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, 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 practitioners. For children with low immune function or blood cell problems your acupuncturist may make adjustments to 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. Your child may be treated with:
- Shoni [SHOW-nee] shin: This is 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 [AK-yoo-pressure-er]: This is a method of touching or massaging specific points on the child’s skin. The caregiver puts gentle pressure on these points to relive pain, nausea, and anxiety. You can be taught to use acupressure on your child.
- Acupuncture [AK-yoo-pungk-cher]: 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 points are used. These are called “acu-tacks.”
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, if they feel it at all.
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
Muscle Relaxation Techniques
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 meditation, biofeedback 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 a number of 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
Shoni Shin
What is Shonishin?
Pediatric acupuncture is a specialized approach to acupuncture for children between the ages of 1 month to 18 years old. The main goal of all acupuncture is to balance, regulate or strengthen a patient’s energy, which is called qi [chee]. The different types of acupressure stimulation that are used in children are:
- Shonishin [show-nee-shin]. This is a Japanese type of acupuncture that doesn’t use needles and is painless. Trained practitioners use small metal shonishin 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. Shonishin was developed in Japan and is still a main method for pediatric healthcare there.
- Acupressure. Touching or massaging specific points on the child’s skin.
- Acupuncture [ACK-you-punk-shure]. Inserting very thin (as thin as a hair), sterile, single-use needles into the skin at specific acupoints on the body. Sometimes, small bandages with tiny stimulating points, called acu-tacks are used.
What are the Risks and/or Side Effects?
Pediatric acupuncture, including shonishin, is safe. For children with low immune function or blood cell problems, adjustments may be made to the type and timing of treatments.
What are the Benefits?
Pediatric acupuncture, including shonishin, can be used to treat the following conditions:
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Bed wetting
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Colic
- Constipation
- Cough
- Cancer symptom relief (nausea and fatigue)
- Diarrhea
- Ear infection
- Eczema
- Headaches
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Pain (of all kinds)
- Poor sleeping patterns
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Stomach aches
How Do I Prepare?
To help you child prepare for shonishin, you should do the following:
- Make sure you schedule your child’s appointment so that it is not right before any activities that may be stressful to 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?
There are acupressure points all over the body. Your child’s acupressure specialist will help explain 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. A shonishin practitioner will use small metal shonishin tools to scratch, tap or brush on your child’s skin over acupuncture pathways. This treatment gently relaxes and simulates the child’s body back into balance.
When Will I Know the Results?
Talk to your child's doctor to get a better understanding of when you can expect to see results from your child'd treatment.
What are Follow-up Requirements and Options?
Your child’s doctor will work with you to create a follow-up plan that is designed to help your child get the best effects from treatment.
Pediatric Nutrition - Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders
Symptoms
When your child has an eating disorder, they may change the way they behave. They may start:
- Talking a lot about their weight
- Weighing themselves multiple times a day
- Not eating around others
- Going to the bathroom right after eating
- Exercising all the time
- Pulling away from friends and family
- Using diet pills to keep from being hungry
- Taking laxatives and other pills to keep from gaining weight
Your child may experience other conditions, such as:
- Mood disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Substance abuse
- Suicidal thoughts
Your child may have other physical signs. These will depend on the type of eating disorder they have. They may include:
- Calloused knuckles
- Brittle hair and nails
- Dry, blotchy, or yellowish skin
- Fine hair all over their body (lanugo)
- Dry mouth or sore throat
- Tooth decay
- Weakness from muscle loss
- Bone loss
- Swelling in joints
- Exhaustion
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Dehydration
- Anemia
- Poor memory
- Intestinal distress
- Low blood pressure
- Low body temperature
- Infertility
- Seizures
- Stoke
- Heart damage or heart attack
- Brain damage
- Multi-organ failure
- Enlarged salivary glands
Anorexia
The signs of anorexia include:
- Low body weight
- Limiting what they eat
- A need to be thin
- A deep fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
- Denial of how serious their low weight is
Bulimia
The signs of bulimia include:
- A lack of control during a binge
- Secrecy about eating and purging
- Eating an unusually large amount of food without gaining weight
- Episodes of not eating, and episodes of binging and purging
Other Eating Disorders
If your child has another type of eating disorder, they may show signs of anorexia or bulimia. However, any number of signs could indicate an eating disorder.
When to See a Doctor
Talk to your child’s doctor if they are showing some or all of these signs:
- Strong focus on their weight
- Exercising too much
- Very low weight (with anorexia)
- Problems from stomach acid
- Unhealthy eating behaviors
Eating behaviors that are unhealthy can include:
- Restricting what they eat
- Binging on food
- Purging what they eat
Causes
The exact cause of eating disorders is not clear. It may stem from many factors, such as:
- A drive for perfection. This drive can be fueled by media that show unrealistic thinness. Family and friends who value “fitting in” with a certain body size, shape, or weight might play a role.
- Some sports. For example, your child’s sport might emphasize how they look (like gymnastics or figure skating) or weight gives them an advantage (like long-distance running or wrestling).
- Emotional and personality disorders. Depression, anxiety, traumatic life events, and a desire for control may lead to an eating disorder.
- Feeding problems. Having problems with eating during infancy or early childhood may increase your child’s risk of an eating disorder.
This list does not cover every factor. The cause will be unique to your child. Your child’s experiences, genetics, environment, and other personal factors might all play a part.
Anyone can develop an eating disorder. They are most common in young women (teenagers and young adults), but they can happen to people of any gender, race, age, or weight.
Diagnosis and Tests
Eating disorders are diagnosed after your child’s doctor has had an opportunity to check your child’s symptoms. Your child’s doctor will decide if the symptoms fit with those of an eating disorder.
The diagnosis process may include:
- Talking. The doctor will ask about what your child eats and how much. They’ll also want to know if they fast, if they force themselves to vomit, how they see themselves, how much they exercise, and what their family background is like.
- Family conversations. The doctor may also talk to you and other family members to learn more about behaviors and family history.
- Medical history. The doctor will learn about your child’s past health, diseases, and treatments.
- Exam. The doctor will do a physical exam to check your child’s current health.
- Tests. The doctor may also test blood and urine. The test results will give them an idea of how well your child’s body is working.
If your child has lost a lot of weight, the doctor may order more tests to find out how much damage the weight loss has caused. These tests might include:
- Bone density tests
- An electrocardiogram [ih-LEK-trow-KAR-dee-oh-GRAM] (to check the heart)
- Kidney function tests
- Liver function tests
- Thyroid function tests
Your child’s doctor might order these tests regularly to keep track of the treatment’s progress.
Treatments
Treatment for eating disorders depends on your child’s disorder, their health problems, and on their unique situation. Treatment generally consists of:
- Medical treatment. Your child’s doctor will treat your child’s medical problems and prescribe needed medicine. No medicine can cure an eating disorder, but health problems caused by it might be treated with medicine. Emotional issues related to it may also be eased with medicine.
- Behavioral treatment. A therapist or psychologist [sahy-KOL-uh-jist] can also talk with your child about life events. Current stress and past trauma can affect their eating and feelings about food. The therapist can also treat related problems, such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Your child’s care team will consist of:
- Your child. Your child will play the most important role in treatment. The more they participate, the better their outcome will be. They will need to learn about their problem and the benefits of overcoming it. They will also need to work with the care team to follow the treatment plan.
- Your child’s doctor. Your child’s doctor will keep track of your child’s overall health.
- A therapist. A therapist or psychologist will counsel your child on their emotional issues.
- A dietician. A dietician can help alter your child’s nutrition based upon their disorder and their individual needs.
- A care manager. A care manager will coordinate your child’s treatment. They can also find resources such as support groups to help.
- Your family. Family members can provide support and join your child at appointments when needed.
Treatment by a medical care team improves the chances of recovery. With proper treatment, your child can beat their eating disorder. The keys to recovery are:
- Committing to getting better.
- Taking the time they need to get healthy.
Treatment can be hard and take many years. There are no easy fixes. After your child returns to healthy eating habits, they may need long-term help to maintain their healthier habits.
Prevention
Measures to prevent an eating disorder are not certain. Your child’s doctor may be able to spot early signs of an eating disorder. They will ask about how much your child eats and how they see themselves. Starting treatment early can prevent many of the health problems an eating disorder can cause.
Support and Resources
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/index.shtml
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/anorexia
What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders are complex problems. They affect how your child feels and thinks about themselves. They are often hidden, so it’s unclear how many people have them. We know that they affect a lot of people — boys and girls, young and old.
All eating disorders have things in common. They tend to occur in people who have one or more of these traits:
- Obsession with food and weight. They think a lot about what they eat and how much they weigh. These thoughts take up much of the day.
- Distorted body image. They may see themselves as fat, even when underweight.
- Obsession with exercise. They overdo exercise to stay thin or to burn off what they eat.
Eating disorders include:
- Anorexia nervosa [an-uh-REK-see-uh ner-VOH-suh] or just anorexia
- Bulimia nervosa [boo-LEE-mee-uh ner-VOH-suh] or just bulimia
- Binge-eating disorder (binge eating with no purging)
- Purging disorder (purging with no binging)
- Chewing then spitting out large amounts of food
Anorexia
Anorexia involves self-starving and having very low weight. Your child may limit calories by following drastic diets, fasting, or exercising too much.
The physical health risks of anorexia include:
- Slow heart rate and muscle loss, which lead to fainting, low energy, weakness, and possible heart failure.
- Weakening bones, which leads to bone breaks.
- Dehydration and loss of nutrients, which lead to irregular heartbeat, heart or kidney failure, and sometimes death.
There are two main types of anorexia:
- Binge-eating (eating an unusually large amount in a short period of time) and/or purging (throwing up or using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics to eliminate food).
- Restricting calories by following drastic diets, fasting, or exercising too much.
Bulimia
Bulimia involves secretive binging (eating an unusually large amount in a short period of time). This is followed by purging (throwing up or using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics to eliminate food). Unlike with anorexia, your child may have a normal weight.
The physical health risks of bulimia include:
- Dehydration and loss of nutrients, which leads to irregular heartbeat, heart or kidney failure, and sometimes death.
- Tooth decay caused by stomach acids from throwing up.
- Digestive system damage from throwing up, which leads to stomach or esophagus rupture, ulcers, and other health problems.
There are two main types of bulimia:
- Purging to lose weight after a binge.
- Non-purging methods like exercising too much or not eating to lose weight after a binge.
Other Types of Eating Disorders
Other types of eating disorders vary greatly. It’s important to remember that any type can be dangerous. It can hurt your child’s body and mind.
If your child has another type of eating disorder, they may show signs of anorexia or bulimia. However, any number of signs could indicate an eating disorder. Other eating disorders include: The health risks of each of these vary a lot. Ask your doctor about them.
Pediatric Nutrition - Feeding Problems
Feeding Problems
What are Feeding Problems?
Feeding can become a problem when your child is losing weight or having trouble gaining the right amount of weight for their age. Your child or baby has feeding problems when:
- They can’t eat or drink anything.
- They can’t eat and drink enough of the right things to stay healthy.
- They choose not to eat or drink enough of the right things to stay healthy.
With a baby, you might have breastfeeding problems. Other baby feeding problems might come from your baby not being able to suck, chew, or swallow.
Eating disorders in young children are called feeding disorders. They might also be called toddler eating disorders. (Usually, the term eating disorder is used for pre-teens, teenagers, and adults.)
Sometimes problems with eating get better without treatment. Sometimes your baby or child will need to be seen by a doctor.
With treatment, feeding disorders can get better. Eating can turn into a safer, easier, and happier experience for your child and the rest of the family. Treatment can also help your child become healthier.
Symptoms
Sometimes feeding problems are due to a child not being able to suck, chew, or swallow. This might stem from a physical problem such as a cleft palate or tongue tie. When the cause is less clear, you can look for these signs:
- Not gaining weight well
- Coughing, choking, or gagging when eating or drinking
- Throwing up often
- Choking on food or drink once during a meal and not eating again
- Eating and breathing coordination problems
- Not eating baby food purees by 8 months old
- Not eating table foods by 12 months old
- Not using a cup by 16 months old
- Eating baby foods at 16 months old
- Avoiding foods with a certain texture or from a certain food group (such as fruits and vegetables)
- Eating fewer than 20 kinds of food, especially when they stop eating certain foods and don’t replace them with other foods
- Crying or arching the back at most meals
- Taking more than 30 minutes to eat meals on a regular basis
Other signs within your family can include:
- Arguing with your child about food and feeding
- When feeding your child is difficult for everyone
- Eating problems you have that your child may get from you
When to See a Doctor
If your baby or child is losing weight or having trouble gaining the right amount of weight for their age, you should see a doctor. While some feeding problems can get better without treatment, it is best to make sure that the cause isn’t serious.
If your baby is very uncomfortable when eating or their spit up is green or bloody, you should take them to a doctor right away.
Causes
Feeding disorders are more than picky eating. Feeding difficulties in children are almost always caused by some other medical problem, including:
- Gastroesophageal reflux [GAS-troh-ih-SOF-oh-JEE-uhl REE-fluhks]. This is a condition where acid from the stomach flows back into the esophagus, the tube that connects your child’s mouth to their stomach.
- Eosinophilic esophagitis [EE-oh-sin-oh-fil-ik EE-sof-a-jai-tis] or inflammation of the esophagus
- Other stomach or intestine problems
- Seizures
- Nervous system problems
- Premature birth
- Sensory system problems
- Autism
- Craniofacial [CRAY-nee-oh-FAY-she-awl] syndromes or abnormalities of the face or head
- Heart or lung problems
- Face and mouth muscle problems
- Problems swallowing certain liquids and food textures
When a baby has a problem with breastfeeding, these medical problems might not be the cause. Breastfeeding doesn’t necessarily come easily for everyone. You may have difficulty with positioning your baby or have sore or tender nipples. Your baby might be spitting up. Some spitting up is normal for all babies. It happens when they eat too fast or swallow air. Remember that it takes practice and patience to find a pattern that works best for you and your baby.
Diagnosis and Tests
Your child will have a clinical feeding evaluation at a therapy center. The feeding specialist (either a speech-language pathologist or an occupational therapist) will talk with you about:
- The foods your child eats
- Where and when your child eats
- Who feeds your child
The therapist will look at your child’s mouth and face. They will watch your child eat or be fed. By watching children eat, the specialist can learn how they move their mouths, think while eating, and control their bodies. They can also see a child’s general ability to eat. If the therapist thinks your child may not be swallowing safely, they will schedule another evaluation.
Treatments
After the feeding evaluations, the therapist may recommend several ways to help your child, including:
- Putting your child in certain safe eating and drinking positions
- Giving your child certain drinks and foods that are safe for them
- Helping your child to eat a wider variety of foods, and drink assorted drinks
- Teaching you and your child safe feeding and drinking skills
- Coordinating services with other medical and therapy professionals
Prevention
Most causes of feeding problems cannot be prevented. Some steps you can take to make eating a healthy time that your child likes include:
- Not arguing about food
- Making food fun
- Avoiding power struggles over food
- Being patient when giving your baby or child new foods to try