Did you know Pediatric Asian Medicine (PAM), is an excellent adjunct for conventional pediatric care? Asian Medicine is a complete medical system – which also includes pediatrics – in continuous practice for over 2000 years. Compared to conventional pediatric medicine, which is about 150 years old in the way it is practiced today, Chinese Medicine was already talking about unique characteristics of children physiology as early as 400 BC. There were already significant numbers of pediatric texts by the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) in China.
The practice of pediatrics continues very actively today, with hospitals in China that specialize in Chinese medicine pediatric care, hospitals that combine both conventional and traditional medicine, and private Chinese medicine doctors practicing Chinese pediatric medicine. In Japan (as in my clinic), there are specialized pediatric acupuncturists that practice only shonishin, a non-needling acupuncture system, in clinics and in their private home offices.
There is a growing number of pioneering acupuncturists here in the States that are getting into pediatrics because we know it is a much needed area that can address many aspects of pediatric care that cannot be addressed in conventional medicine. Where western medicine may only be able to prescribe antibiotics, psychiatric drugs or steroidal creams, we Physicians of Asian Medicine prescribe Food as Medicine and dietary modifications, exercises, herbal prescriptions, heat therapy, pediatric massage and shonishin/acupressure/acupuncture for illness resolution and disease prevention. It is our focus to promote the principles of wellness, health and resolution of illness. Our strength is in viewing the body as a whole, disease prevention, recovery of health after an illness, and addressing conditions that are chronic and/or subclinical. This means conditions like colds and flu, eczema, asthma, “picky eating,” slow development, tantrums, anxiety/depression, spectrum disorders, insomnia, food sensitivities, lack of concentration, autoimmune conditions, seizures, and so forth.
I nonetheless strongly believe combining the two medical approaches is optimal and something I always recommends to my parents.
Want to try PAM for your child? Contact me! Let’s see how I can help you.
For those who are ready to bring your child in for a holistic pediatric wellness visit at Iyashi Wellness, I have some Pediatric Frequently Asked Questions that will help to facilitate a smooth and stress-free first visit for you and your child.
More on Pediatric Wellness Care:
My 8-Part series on Healthy, Happy Eating that the Whole Family Can Enjoy starts here: