Shinoshin paediatric acupuncture

What is Shinoshin?

Shinoshin  therapy is a style of acupuncture developed over 250 years ago in Japan specifically for use with children and infants. 

Recognising the fact that children do not like being needled, this therapy has developed specialized treatment techniques, which are non-invasive and thus not uncomfortable or frightening for the child. Specialized instruments have been developed for treating children, and great care has been taken in adapting the use of acupuncture and related techniques for the treatment of children.

Unlike acupuncture used on adults, diagnosis is mostly based purely on actual symptoms only, as adult diagnostic principles such as pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis,and asking about emotional issues are obviously not possible on a young child or babies.Also, unlike adult acupuncture, there are only four patterns of illness, which simplifies matters greatly.
Treatment time is quite fast,and during treatment, the parent must stay present at all times. Also, please don't bring any siblings if it can be avoided, so that treatment can be focused on the patient. 

Shinoshin treatment can also be used for people with a phobia of needles, older persons or those on prescribed blood thinning drugs.

 

As children are more sensitive to treatment, and generally have better self healing abilities,results are usually relatively fast, and would be supplemented by very simple techniques used at home by the parent. No knowledge of acupuncture is required by the parent to perform these techniques. The home based techniques help to build the childs strength and constitution, whilst the techniques I use will focus on the presenting symptoms.
For certain treatments, a small metal sphere may be left in place with the aid of an attached plaster to stimulate a point between treatments. 
Shinoshin is a pleasant relaxing treatment that children seem to enjoy. In fact, if I have to treat one of my grandchildren, the other always asks for a treatment too!