Sticking babies with needles may not strike you as soothing, but you’d be surprised! Acupuncture is used to treat babies and older children, often with great success. Acupuncture for babies uses far fewer needles and the needles are not left in place as they are with adults.

Chinese Medicine also offers other alternatives for babies such as massage and Shonishin. Shonishin translates as sho “little”, ni “children”, and shin “needle”. Despite the name, typically no needles are used and there is no penetration of the skin, using these specialized tools.

There is not much research on babies and acupuncture, but a small study came out last year showing promise for the treatment of colic using acupuncture.

In the video below, I continue my discussion with Rebecca Avern a pediatric acupuncturist in Oxford, England. Rebecca has a new book coming out next month and it’s all about using acupuncture to treat babies, children and teenagers.

In this video Rebecca focuses on what’s important when treating babies and offers suggestions for other acupuncturists interested in working babies.

If you would like to listen to part one of my discussion with Rebecca click here!