Taps


Sometimes I do use the smallest, thinnest needles with kids. I call them ‘taps’ because they are only tapped in shallowly and then removed immediately. Sometimes the needle is just tapped lightly on the surface of the skin, a common Japanese style of acupuncture.


RED OR BLUE COLD LASER


I try to be attuned to kids’ personalities and preferences, and I never pressure them to try taps. Toddlers are the hardest age to use taps – some are open to it, but some are just too squirmy. On the other hand, taps are usually easy to use with babies because they happen so fast and are barely felt. If children want to try taps, they get a prize. If not, it’s no big deal. Every child will leave with stickers regardless!


For older kids, I explain how taps work and usually demon-


strate on their parent. I’ve had many patients over the age of 7 who enjoy the novelty of getting taps. I have a number of pre-teen and teenage patients who love to come in for help with anxiety, depression, growing pains, or menstrual cramps and enjoy a mini- adult treatment of 10-20 minutes relaxing on the table.


Involving Parents POINT STIMULATION WITH THE ‘BLINKY’


At every appointment I show parents massage techniques to use daily to prolong the treatment ef- fect. Parents often like the feeling that they have more tools to help their child at home. I also offer di- etary advice and may recommend an herbal tincture to address the child’s issue.


If you’re not sure how your child will react to these various acupuncture techniques, you can make an appointment for a pe- diatric wellness visit. A pediatric wellness visit is a 20-30 minute session that includes checking breath sounds and ears, Shoni Shin massage, and an introduction to the non-needle tools of pediatric ‘acupuncture’. It is not a time to address specifi c health concerns that require a complete intake, but it is great for exposing your child to the idea of acupuncture-based techniques and seeing how they like them.


Naomi Skoglund L.Ac. MSTCM, MS. Ed. is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and the owner of Six Branch- es Family Acupuncture. She also has a Masters of Science in Childhood Education with a focus on Spe- cial Education and was a teacher for 8 years before becoming an acupuncturist. You can fi nd out more


about her practice at www.sixbranchesacupuncture.com. See ad on page 19.


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