1. Integrative – Oriental Medicine includes multiple modalities such as Chinese Herbal Medicine, Non-Needle Painless Acupuncture, Nutrition and Chinese Medical Massage. These therapies can be easily integrated with the conventional treatments that your child might be receiving.

2. Preventative – An Oriental Medicine Specialist can set up a treatment plan designed to strengthen your child’s immune system to help keep them healthy and disease free. Prevention of disease will be a key component for any health plan using Oriental Medicine.

3. Quick Acting – Whether dealing with acute or chronic disease we expect to see changes in your child’s condition quickly. While certain chronic illnesses will require long term care, other sicknesses like a cold and the flu will respond very fast. When using Oriental Medicine to help your child the best results will be seen when they are brought in upon the first sign of illness.

4. Holistic – Oriental Medicine diagnoses and treats the whole person, body and mind. This perspective provides more effective and longer lasting therapeutic results.

5. Effective – During the last decade the field of research in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has grown enormously. We now know that these practices are effective for many health issues that children have to deal with. The World Health Organization lists the following diseases that can be effectively treated with Acupuncture:

• Colds/Flus and Bronchitis
• Asthma and Allergies
• Ear Aches, Sinus Infection and Sore Throat
• Eczema and Acne
• Anxiety and Sleep Issues
• Constipation and Indigestion
• Pain

6. Natural – Chinese Herbal Medicine is a safe and natural treatment for children. The herbal formula’s come in a variety of forms including liquid tinctures, pills and powder that can be mixed with hot water to make a tea. These herbs are tolerated very well by children and have a long history of safe and effective use in Asia.

7. Gentle – Shonishin is a painless non-needle style of acupuncture that is used with children. It is a Japanese form of acupuncture that was developed in the 1700’s. Children find this therapy very relaxing and look forward to coming in for treatments.

8. Involved – An Oriental Medicine Specialist will involve you in the treatment of your child. They will teach you specific therapies that you can use at home to help your child heal faster and stay healthy for the long term. These therapies include massage techniques, the use of magnets and applications of essential oils

9. Professional – Oriental Medicine is a professional medicine that is used in the United States and worldwide by millions of people. An Oriental Medicine Specialist trained in the U.S. has received a Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and here in Massachusetts is licensed to practice through the Board of Registration in Medicine.

10. Inclusive – The practice of Oriental Medicine can be used for children of all ages. This includes newborns and infants all the way up through teenagers. Most of the common and some uncommon diseases from all of these age groups can be treated quite effectively with safe, gentle and natural therapies.

- Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.

Pediatric Wellness Initiative

Keeping Children Healthy with Oriental Medicine