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Acupuncture and Kids: Your Questions Answered! by  Weekly Cup of Qi Since 1996 the rates of chronic illness have more then doubled in children!  In the United States 1 in 3 children suffers from asthma, allergies, autism or ADHD.  That’s unbelievable isn’t it?  All of these problems can be successfully treated or managed effectively with acupuncture. Parents are increasingly turning to alternative medicines like acupuncture because they want to help heal the root of their child’s health issues.  They don’t want to resort to using medications with their potentially harmful side effects unless absolutely necessary. They realize many of these medicines only treat the symptoms (at best) of their child’s illness and don’t address the root problem. Is Acupuncture Really Safe for Kids? That’s the most important question parents have. The short and simple answer is Absolutely Yes! With the current standards of training in the US, children seeing a fully licensed and trained acupuncturist are in very good hands. Many of the techniques used in children do not involve needles at all.  Acupuncturists can use massage, acupressure and other non-needle treatments to stimulate the acupuncture points. If needles are used in pediatric acupuncture, they are extremely fine and superficially inserted.  In babies and children under age 8 an in/out technique is used where the needle or “tap” is swiftly inserted and immediately removed. In kids over age 8 needles are inserted superficially and left in from 2 to 20 minutes depending on the age and tolerance of the child.  This type of pediatric acupuncture technique minimizes any serious risk to the child. Don’t Take My Word For It… According to a study published in 2011 called “The Safety of Pediatric Acupuncture a Systematic Review” in The Journal Pediatrics, acupuncture was found to be safe when performed by an appropriately trained and licensed acupuncturist. In this study the authors focused on the safety of acupuncture in children by reviewing over 37 different studies on acupuncture safety for kids.  What they found was that acupuncture was extremely safe with little or no adverse reactions, especially when compared to many common over-the-counter drugs (such as Acetaminophen). Researches discovered that out of the combined studies’ nearly 1500 children and teenagers only a small percent (168) experienced what they considered mild side-effects such as bruising or a little bit of swelling at the needle site. Only in rare cases were serious adverse effects shown and they occurred when the child was being treated by an assistant or practitioner that wasn’t fully trained and licensed in acupuncture. As long as you are taking your child to a fully trained and licensed acupuncturist, who has experience in pediatrics, your child will be completely safe. What Do Kids Get Treated For? The most common things that parents bring their kids in to see an acupuncturist for are: Asthma Allergies Eczema Chronic ear infections Chronic rhinitis Chronic colds and flu’s Digestive Disorders ADD/ADHD Autism Headaches Body Pain The health of our children is getting worse.  According the Journal of the American Medical Association more then 7% of US children were hampered by illness that lasted three months or longer in 2004 compared to 1.8% of those children in 1960. Additionally 15 to 18% of children and teens suffer from chronic illnesses.  Acupuncture can help these kids with safe, effective and drug-free treatments that help the body heal itself! Will Kids Let You Needle Them? Kids and needles don’t seem to go together do they?  It might seem unusual for kids to get acupuncture but it has actually been used to treat children for over 2,500 years!  Remember, most of the time needles are not used at all. When needles or “taps”, as I call them, are used they are so tiny they can hardly be felt. If there is any discomfort it’s the only in the first second or so when the needle is “tapped” in.  After that the kids don’t feel a thing. Kids respond really well to acupuncture, sometimes even after the first visit their symptoms improve and when they feel better they want to come back.   I swear… kids really love acupuncture!  I see it time and again. How Does Acupuncture Work? Acupuncture works by stimulating the body to heal itself naturally. That’s why it can treat a wide variety of conditions. Acupuncture is extremely effective in in treating conditions that involve an underlying component of inflammation. Acupuncture is amazing at reducing inflammation and restoring the body’s system back to balance. If you’re considering taking your child in for acupuncture I highly recommend finding a fully trained and licensed pediatric acupuncturist. Let’s Be the Change It’s alarming that so many children are sick from chronic illnesses.  If we don’t change things now we’re going to have an epidemic of children that are sicker then ever.  It’s time to do something about it–give acupuncture a try. Robin Green is a board certified and licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. Robin discovered her true calling and shifted the focus of her practice to working with kids after spending years training in pediatrics in search of a cure for her son’s eczema. Her popular blog, Kids Love Acupuncture, provides health tips for kids that incorporate the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Robin also has an online course teaching pediatric acupuncture to other acupuncturists.

Acupuncture and Kids: Your Questions Answered!

by Weekly Cup of Qi

Since 1996 the rates of chronic illness have more then doubled in children!  In the United States 1 in 3 children suffers from asthma, allergies, autism or ADHD.  That’s unbelievable isn’t it?  All of these problems can be successfully treated or managed effectively with acupuncture.

Parents are increasingly turning to alternative medicines like acupuncture because they want to help heal the root of their child’s health issues.  They don’t want to resort to using medications with their potentially harmful side effects unless absolutely necessary. They realize many of these medicines only treat the symptoms (at best) of their child’s illness and don’t address the root problem.

Is Acupuncture Really Safe for Kids?

That’s the most important question parents have. The short and simple answer is Absolutely Yes!

With the current standards of training in the US, children seeing a fully licensed and trained acupuncturist are in very good hands.

Many of the techniques used in children do not involve needles at all .  Acupuncturists can use massage, acupressure and other non-needle treatments to stimulate the acupuncture points.

If needles are used in pediatric acupuncture, they are extremely fine and superficially inserted.  In babies and children under age 8 an in/out technique is used where the needle or “tap” is swiftly inserted and immediately removed.

In kids over age 8 needles are inserted superficially and left in from 2 to 20 minutes depending on the age and tolerance of the child.  This type of pediatric acupuncture technique minimizes any serious risk to the child.

Don’t Take My Word For It…

According to a study published in 2011 called “ The Safety of Pediatric Acupuncture a Systematic Review ” in The Journal Pediatrics, acupuncture was found to be safe when performed by an appropriately trained and licensed acupuncturist.

In this study the authors focused on the safety of acupuncture in children by reviewing over 37 different studies on acupuncture safety for kids.  What they found was that acupuncture was extremely safe with little or no adverse reactions, especially when compared to many common over-the-counter drugs (such as Acetaminophen).

Researches discovered that out of the combined studies’ nearly 1500 children and teenagers only a small percent (168) experienced what they considered mild side-effects such as bruising or a little bit of swelling at the needle site.

Only in rare cases were serious adverse effects shown and they occurred when the child was being treated by an assistant or practitioner that wasn’t fully trained and licensed in acupuncture. As long as you are taking your child to a fully trained and licensed acupuncturist, who has experience in pediatrics, your child will be completely safe .

What Do Kids Get Treated For?

The most common things that parents bring their kids in to see an acupuncturist for are:
  • Asthma
  • Allergies
  • Eczema
  • Chronic ear infections
  • Chronic rhinitis
  • Chronic colds and flu’s
  • Digestive Disorders
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Autism
  • Headaches
  • Body Pain

The health of our children is getting worse.  According the Journal of the American Medical Association more then 7% of US children were hampered by illness that lasted three months or longer in 2004 compared to 1.8% of those children in 1960. Additionally 15 to 18% of children and teens suffer from chronic illnesses. Acupuncture can help these kids with safe, effective and drug-free treatments that help the body heal itself!

Will Kids Let You Needle Them?

Kids and needles don’t seem to go together do they?  It might seem unusual for kids to get acupuncture but it has actually been used to treat children for over 2,500 years!  Remember, most of the time needles are not used at all.

When needles or “taps”, as I call them, are used they are so tiny they can hardly be felt. If there is any discomfort it’s the only in the first second or so when the needle is “tapped” in.  After that the kids don’t feel a thing.

Kids respond really well to acupuncture, sometimes even after the first visit their symptoms improve and when they feel better they want to come back.   I swear… kids really love acupuncture!  I see it time and again.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture works by stimulating the body to heal itself naturally. That’s why it can treat a wide variety of conditions. Acupuncture is extremely effective in in treating conditions that involve an underlying component of inflammation.

Acupuncture is amazing at reducing inflammation and restoring the body’s system back to balance. If you’re considering taking your child in for acupuncture I highly recommend finding a fully trained and licensed pediatric acupuncturist.

Let’s Be the Change

It’s alarming that so many children are sick from chronic illnesses.  If we don’t change things now we’re going to have an epidemic of children that are sicker then ever.  It’s time to do something about it–give acupuncture a try.

Robin Green is a board certified and licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. Robin discovered her true calling and shifted the focus of her practice to working with kids after spending years training in pediatrics in search of a cure for her son’s eczema. Her popular blog, Kids Love Acupuncture , provides health tips for kids that incorporate the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Robin also has an online course teaching pediatric acupuncture to other acupuncturists.

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It’s not just beauty rest…it’s health rest! Sounds like a good step for preventative care to us.

healingandnaturalhealth :

Dream On: Why Sleep is So Important

This infographic showcases some studies on just how dangerous—and costly—sacrificing sleep can be, and it concludes with some facts on how you can try and improve your sleep quality if it’s something you struggle with.

by JASON (FRUGAL DAD)

Chinese Medicine: Cupping Therapy for aches, pains, respiratory problems and more »

( CBS)  Cupping is a form of alternative pain therapy that recently left some curious marks on actress and new mom Gwyneth Paltrow. The mystery behind the circular marks on Paltrow’s back is solved by Michael Gaeta, president of the Acupuncture Society of New York, who describes the therapy on The Early Show .

He demonstrates the cupping therapy on the back of one of his patients, who was lying on a treatment table.

"There are two forms of cupping therapy," Gaeta tells co-anchor Harry Smith . “Cupping therapy is a treatment in which the practitioner creates suction in a cup. And then applies that cup to the body, which then draws the skin up around the cup, under the cup.”

The traditional method uses fire. Gaeta holds a cotton ball and wets it with alcohol. Then ignites the soaked cotton ball and places it in the cup.

He says, “Fire cupping uses a flame to create suction in the cup - you’ll see a flame in the cup - and then, we’ll apply the cup to the body.”

The skin gets sucked up and rises under the cup as blood rushes up.

"Cupping brings fresh blood to the area, Gaeta says. "So it tends to improve circulation. It also helps open up the chest and benefit the lungs and can even benefit menstrual problems and digestive problems, too. Most commonly, it’s used for aches and pains of various types as well as respiratory problems, cough, wheezing, things like that."

"It feels a bit strange," the patient says. "Definitely doesn’t hurt. It just feels like someone’s pulling at your skin."

Gaeta notes, “Cupping therapy is usually used as part of acupuncture or body work treatment. It’s been part of Chinese medicine for over 2,500 years. Originally, animal horn was the original cup. The horn method is the original thing. Later on brass, ceramic, bamboo cups were used.”

It looks like something out of medieval alchemy, but Gaeta says, it is just an alternate method of treatment.

He adds, “Fire cupping is the traditional, most effective method. Some practitioners choose to use the suction cup method, where you pump up the suction cup and that’s it. Same kind of thing - just doesn’t use flame.”

There are very few conditions in which cupping should not be used, such as high fever, skin disease or tendency to bleed easily.

Each cupping session last about 10 to 15 minutes and it can be repeated, once the marks are cleared, until the problem is resolved, Gaeta says. To get a treatment, he says, seek a licensed acupuncturist.

It’s the Friday Wrap Up!

Oriental medicine in the news this week:

It’s the Friday Wrap-Up!

Oriental medicine in the news this week:

Feng Shui for the Heart of Winter by Amanda Collins The leaves are falling, the weather is frosty, and the universe’s energy is shifting. This is the ‘yin’ time of year—a time for stillness and patience and to just ‘be’. Remembering that we are human beings, and not human doers. There are five elements to Feng Shui: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Winter is associated with the element of water. Feng Shui, literally translated, means ‘wind and water.’ So, as you can see, water is a very important element in the field of Feng Shui. Water represents intuition, that inner knowing that allows the water element to guide you into a space of trust. Enjoying this time of winter will refill you. Spend this season dreaming and planning for the changes that you want to make in the approaching spring, where new beginnings start. Winter is a time when the earth rests and gets prepared to sustain life for another year. The winter offers us a special time to go inwards for introspection. By creating a nurturing, harmonious home during this season, you will support you in staying grounded and joyful throughout the year. In Feng Shui, each season is linked to a specific area of your home. Winter supports the areas of your home that face north. The north is associated with your career and life’s journey, so it’s important that the home is representing support in this area of your life. The best way to evaluate your home is to stand in the north area and close your eyes. Try to feel how the energy feels, does your energy rise or fall? What is this area of your home saying to you? Do you feel light or heavy? Some things to consider include: Is there clutter, do you have items you love in this space, are there sharp objects, or things that are broken? The north-facing space of your home is associated with the water element and the kidney, bladder, ears, and reproductive systems. So, from a health standpoint it’s vital that this energy is flowing freely. The first step is to make sure there is no clutter in this part of your home—only things you love and use. There should be no sharp corners, and no broken items. The best crystals to bring to the north areas of your home to support your health and career are the ones related with water. You might try black obsidian, black tourmaline, and turquoise. Adding moving water to this space with a nice fountain or fish bowl can help to stimulate the energy in your career. Or, try incorporating some artwork with the water element, such as the ocean, waterfalls, or a lake. Spend a bit of time each day sitting by the fountain whilst you focus on your career or business goals. It’s also important to make sure your bathrooms are in good working order as they are filled with the water elements. Make sure all your plumbing is in good working condition. Some suggestions for your home Have your home warm and bright. Put your lights on timers so when you come home in the evening, you arrive at a gently lit home. Make sure all the bulbs are in good working order. Use full spectrum lighting. This is the closest lighting to natural light and will be kinder on your eyes. Your plants love full spectrum light, so feel free to put some greenery nearby. Even better, create a small winter garden that will cheer you up and help provide oxygen for your rooms. During the winter months, we tend to spend more time inside. Make sure you have lots of indoor plants to improve the air and give out oxygen and remove the carbon dioxide. Make sure all the windows are in good working order. If you live in an older home and the windows do not close properly or have poor insulation, try getting nice heavy curtains to keep the heat inside and keep the cold outside. Honor your five senses. Make your home inviting and nurturing with lit candles around your home and with sweet smells for the holidays like mulling spices and cinnamon. Create a special area in your home that captures the most sun that you can, and curl up with a good book that’s cozy. Surround yourself with warm yang colors such a burnt orange, yellows, and reds with a warm throw and pillows. Honor the sense of touch and think about your feet. Do you have warm rugs on the floor?  When bringing new items into your home, use natural organic fibers whenever you can. Winter is a time for friends and family. Plan to celebrate the long winter nights with friends, and make it a point to invite friends over for dinner and share stories around the fire. Honor your sense of taste by cooking natural organic wholesome foods that are in season, such as pumpkins and squash. In the garden, keep the birds fed with bird feeders. Bringing wildlife into your garden brings joy and color into your garden and your life. By striving to surround yourself with life, you will see positivity spread throughout your daily routine. Even though it may be cold outside, it’s important to have some time outdoors and connect with nature each day. If you can, take a stroll, do a little gardening, or watch the sunset.   Find out more about Amanda Collins and Feng Shui here: www.AmandaCollins.com      

Feng Shui for the Heart of Winter

by Amanda Collins

The leaves are falling, the weather is frosty, and the universe’s energy is shifting. This is the ‘yin’ time of year—a time for stillness and patience and to just ‘be’. Remembering that we are human beings, and not human doers.

There are five elements to Feng Shui: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Winter is associated with the element of water. Feng Shui, literally translated, means ‘wind and water.’ So, as you can see, water is a very important element in the field of Feng Shui. Water represents intuition, that inner knowing that allows the water element to guide you into a space of trust. Enjoying this time of winter will refill you. Spend this season dreaming and planning for the changes that you want to make in the approaching spring, where new beginnings start.

Winter is a time when the earth rests and gets prepared to sustain life for another year. The winter offers us a special time to go inwards for introspection. By creating a nurturing, harmonious home during this season, you will support you in staying grounded and joyful throughout the year.

In Feng Shui, each season is linked to a specific area of your home. Winter supports the areas of your home that face north. The north is associated with your career and life’s journey, so it’s important that the home is representing support in this area of your life. The best way to evaluate your home is to stand in the north area and close your eyes. Try to feel how the energy feels, does your energy rise or fall? What is this area of your home saying to you? Do you feel light or heavy? Some things to consider include: Is there clutter, do you have items you love in this space, are there sharp objects, or things that are broken?

The north-facing space of your home is associated with the water element and the kidney, bladder, ears, and reproductive systems. So, from a health standpoint it’s vital that this energy is flowing freely.

The first step is to make sure there is no clutter in this part of your home—only things you love and use. There should be no sharp corners, and no broken items. The best crystals to bring to the north areas of your home to support your health and career are the ones related with water. You might try black obsidian, black tourmaline, and turquoise. Adding moving water to this space with a nice fountain or fish bowl can help to stimulate the energy in your career. Or, try incorporating some artwork with the water element, such as the ocean, waterfalls, or a lake. Spend a bit of time each day sitting by the fountain whilst you focus on your career or business goals.

It’s also important to make sure your bathrooms are in good working order as they are filled with the water elements. Make sure all your plumbing is in good working condition.

Some suggestions for your home

Have your home warm and bright. Put your lights on timers so when you come home in the evening, you arrive at a gently lit home. Make sure all the bulbs are in good working order. Use full spectrum lighting. This is the closest lighting to natural light and will be kinder on your eyes. Your plants love full spectrum light, so feel free to put some greenery nearby. Even better, create a small winter garden that will cheer you up and help provide oxygen for your rooms.

During the winter months, we tend to spend more time inside. Make sure you have lots of indoor plants to improve the air and give out oxygen and remove the carbon dioxide.

Make sure all the windows are in good working order. If you live in an older home and the windows do not close properly or have poor insulation, try getting nice heavy curtains to keep the heat inside and keep the cold outside.

Honor your five senses. Make your home inviting and nurturing with lit candles around your home and with sweet smells for the holidays like mulling spices and cinnamon.

Create a special area in your home that captures the most sun that you can, and curl up with a good book that’s cozy. Surround yourself with warm yang colors such a burnt orange, yellows, and reds with a warm throw and pillows.

Honor the sense of touch and think about your feet. Do you have warm rugs on the floor? When bringing new items into your home, use natural organic fibers whenever you can.

Winter is a time for friends and family. Plan to celebrate the long winter nights with friends, and make it a point to invite friends over for dinner and share stories around the fire.

Honor your sense of taste by cooking natural organic wholesome foods that are in season, such as pumpkins and squash.

In the garden, keep the birds fed with bird feeders. Bringing wildlife into your garden brings joy and color into your garden and your life. By striving to surround yourself with life, you will see positivity spread throughout your daily routine.

Even though it may be cold outside, it’s important to have some time outdoors and connect with nature each day. If you can, take a stroll, do a little gardening, or watch the sunset.

Find out more about Amanda Collins and Feng Shui here:

www.AmandaCollins.com