Natural Healthcare for your Children

Is your child sick too often? Are you frustrated that your child’s illness persists even after repeated antibiotics or other medications? Are you concerned about environmental chemicals and toxins and how they may affect your child’s development? Is your child moody and uncooperative? Does your child have difficulty sleeping, trouble with concentration, or seem tired more often than usual?

If you answered yes to any of the above, we invite you to explore the world of natural healthcare for your children with Chinese medicine.

 

2,000 Years of Pediatric Medical Expertise

China’s population grew to 1.4 billion strong on the back of a unique and effective medical system. Chinese civilization recognized early on that the children were the cornerstone of the future; therefore pediatrics was established officially as a medical specialty over two thousand years ago. Chinese pediatric medicine achieved many milestones. For example, it pioneered natural vaccination methods against childhood epidemics as early as 190 AD and developed a comprehensive treatment model for childhood diseases using natural means including herbal and nutritional therapies, acupuncture, tuina bodywork, cupping and mind-body integration healing like chi gong and tai chi.

 

Basic Healing Principles

The fundamental philosophy of Chinese pediatric medicine is to assist and strengthen the child’s own healing and repair capabilities and not to interfere with what his or her body is supposed to do. While this sounds like common sense, it is not often practiced in reality. Witness the rampant use of antibiotics, which replace the body’s own immune function, making a child more susceptible to a subsequent infection. Numerous studies published in medical journals have concluded that 90% of antibiotics prescribed for children’s ear infections are not only unnecessary but also ineffective.

When we work with your child’s body and mind, providing appropriate nourishment and support, he or she will heal from the illness, growing stronger and more resistant to disease with each passing day. This treatment supports and enhances how our bodies were designed to work in the first place.

“I think we all want to live a happy and healthy life. It was nice to find a care plan for our son that worked. I don’t think it’s ever one thing or another.  I think keeping an open mind to different treatment options worked for us.”
— Shiraz

Conditions We Have Treated Successfully:

 

Collaboration with Your Child’s Pediatrician

At Tao of Wellness our practitioners are experienced in Chinese pediatric medicine, and will work with your child’s pediatrician to ensure accurate diagnosis of your child’s condition and promote integration of the best of Chinese and Western medical treatments. The result of this East-West collaboration is faster recovery with fewer side effects and a healthier, happier and stronger child.

 

Herbal and Nutritional Therapies

Chinese herbs are plants from nature with potent healing properties.When combined with other herbs that have synergistic actions, herbal therapy is used effectively to treat a wide variety of illnesses. We also provide dietary guidance to identify food sensitivities. Nutritional supplements are prescribed when necessary to help your child with nutritional deficiencies, which can often be present in children due to their immature digestive function.We take great care to provide only the highest quality herbs and nutritional supplements. Our herbs are sourced directly from the mountain farms of China. Our nutritional supplements use only high quality ingredients, and are tested to ensure that they not only meet but also exceed strict FDA requirements.  Learn more about Chinese herbal medicine, or about nutritional therapy.

 

Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture is the oldest natural healing system in the world. It works by stimulating the body’s innate self-healing mechanism. Children’s bodies usually respond very quickly to the healing prompts made through the use of either tiny, nearly-painless needles or finger pressure – acupressure. Many studies have confirmed the safety and efficacy of acupuncture and acupressure for pediatric conditions. Learn more about acupuncture.

 

Tuina Bodywork and Cupping

Tuina is physiotherapy in Chinese medicine that includes massage, manipulation and structural re-alignment. It is very effective in managing children’s growing structural needs as pains, strains and misalignments occur frequently during this time. Cupping involves creating suction with glass jars on the skin, typically applied on the back, shoulders and abdomen. It activates the lymphatic system and increases circulation, both of which are essential for healing. It is often used for cold and flu, respiratory conditions and muscle pain. Learn more about tuina bodywork.

 

Mind-Body Integration Healing and Practices

We all know that it takes years for a child to develop into a healthy, well-rounded, physically strong and emotionally well-adjusted adult. Many childhood challenges and struggles, whether mental or physical, come from a lack of wholeness and integration between the mind and the body. At Tao of Wellness we’ve recognized this disconnection as an impediment to complete healing for a child. Our practitioners are certified in qi gong and tai chi as therapies to help children become aware of how one aspect affects the other. We provide coaching sessions to teach children special practices that help them learn how to self-regulate their bodies and minds. Learn more about mind body exercises.

 

Experiencing the Initial Consultation and Exam

The best way to find out how we can help your child is to make an appointment to meet one of our licensed practitioners for a face-to-face consultation. During the consultation we will examine your child by feeling the pulses, inspecting the tongue and palpating the abdomen as well as recording his or her medical history.

We may also use an otoscope and look into the throat, ears, and eyes of your child for more clues. We’ll contact his or her pediatrician for results to any tests performed. Once we’ve gathered this information and made a diagnosis we will propose a treatment plan, which will be customized based on your child’s condition, duration of illness and age. Then we may begin treatment, typically on the first visit.

 

Natural Healthcare for Children

Tao of Wellness was established in 1976 as a resource to address pediatric care. We strive to support your children in mind and body, and invite you to make an appointment for their health and wellbeing. It would be our pleasure to serve you.

 
 

Pediatric Cold and Flu

It’s often frustrating and worrisome for parents to see their children suffer from colds and flus month after month.  Colds and flus have similar symptoms as both are contagious viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. Colds and flus can resolve on their own; however, symptoms can linger for weeks, and sometimes complications can develop.  There are limited conventional treatments for treating colds which only treat symptoms like cough and congestion, doing nothing to eliminate the offending virus.  For the flu, anti-viral medications are available but they have side effects including nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, sinusitis, and ear infection.  Tao of Wellness provides a host of solutions for treating colds and flus in children that boost the immune system, shorten duration and lesson symptoms.  Chinese Medicine has a history of over 2000 years in treating children with therapies like acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, and pediatric tuina bodywork.

 

How We Successfully Treat Cold and Flu in Children

Your child can contract either a cold or a flu at any time of the year, but most colds and flus occur during the winter months from October to February. A cold is generally milder than the flu and develops slower. The course of a cold is 5 to 10 days but symptoms can linger up to 14 days or more. Common cold symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, cough, dry or sore throat, body aches, headache, watery eyes, sinus congestion, ear congestion, and low grade fever. The flu usually comes on hard and fast, and includes symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A course of flu is usually 3 to 4 days; however, complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia, croup, or seizures can occur.

When looking for solutions for your children, antibiotics aren’t appropriate because colds and flus are viral infections, not bacterial infections. In fact, studies published in medical journals estimate that up to 90% of antibiotics prescribed for colds, flus and ear infections are medically unnecessary. Parents are also advised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to avoid or use extreme caution with over-the-counter cold medicines, especially for children under 4 years of age. These medicines include nasal decongestants, anti-histamines, cough suppressants, and expectorants. This is due to their lack of safety and efficacy in treating cold and flu symptoms, and can lead to accidental overdose or harsh side effects.

Because your child’s immune system is in the process of developing, it is not unusual for a child to catch a cold week after a week. As your child grows, the immune system and its defenses grow to be stronger too, and your child will catch fewer colds and flus. At Tao of Wellness, we treat many children from infants to adolescents when they suffer from cold and flu symptoms. Although colds and flus can resolve on their own, utilizing Chinese medical therapies can speed up the recovery time, prevent complications, minimize relapse, and help children feel comfortable by easing their symptoms.

Tao of Wellness is an integrative clinic that works alongside your child’s pediatrician. For the best results, we recommend your child receive treatment at the very first onset of symptoms. You’ll begin by setting up an initial consultation where one of our doctors will review your child’s current condition in addition to your child’s medical history. Since each patient’s cold or flu experience is unique we will offer an individualized treatment plan that includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional therapy. Pediatric tuina bodywork may also be recommended. Your doctor will then answer any questions you have before beginning your child’s treatment.

 

Our Customized Therapies for Overcoming Cold and Flu in Children

Customized Treatment Program
Chinese medicine is a group of holistic healing modalities that focus on healing symptoms and supporting the health of the entire body and mind. There is no singular program for every child suffering from a cold or flu. At Tao of Wellness your doctor will work with you in developing a plan that is personalized just for your child. The therapies will be performed at our clinic but we will also teach self-healing tools for your child’s daily life to support long lasting health.

 

Pediatric Acupuncture
There are therapeutic points all over the body that ease cold and flu symptoms. Since each child’s experience of a cold or flu is unique, each acupuncture treatment will be just as unique. Frequent concerns of parents are whether acupuncture hurts and how best to work with a child’s fear of needles. At Tao of Wellness, we have acupuncture tools developed especially for children that cause little to no sensation. If it’s still a concern please consider the other treatment options listed. Almost anywhere acupuncture is applied it fosters a very relaxing experience that stimulates the immune system into action. With regular acupuncture treatments, your child’s body will learn to rebound quicker and suffer fewer of these viral infections. Learn more about acupuncture.

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is an effective therapy for treating symptoms of cold and flu. We customize each herbal formula for each child since symptoms can be different. The strength of the immune system is also unique to each child, so we may also work to support immune function with herbs like astragalus or reishi mushroom. Herbs that can relieve cold and flu symptoms include honeysuckle, forsythia, schizonepetae, kudzu, and peppermint. Herbs that help to resolve cough and sinus congestion like magnolia buds and mulberry leaves are also available. Your doctor will construct the right formula for your child, in child-friendly formats including drops, pills and powders. Learn more about Chinese herbal medicine.

 

Nutritional Therapy

Nutritional Consultations
Nutrition is important for facilitating a fast recovery from cold and flu. Each patient receives nutritional guidance but a nutritional consultation goes further to understand your child’s likes, dislikes, and eating habits. With this, our doctor certified in Chinese nutrition, can construct a week-long menu from the ground up, complete with healing meals and snacks that are easy to prepare and child approved.

Here are some nutritional tips for healing colds and flus. Start by drinking plenty of fluids. Limit refined sugars because they will create acids in the body that can cause a cold to linger. Avoid dairy foods as they allow mucus to thicken or proliferate. Eliminate fatty and greasy foods which are challenging to digest and could further burden the body while the immune system works to resolve the cold or flu. Soup, porridge, and tea are easy to digest for children and should be encouraged. Your doctor will recommend specific nutritional guidelines that are right for your child’s unique condition.

Nutritional Supplements
Your doctor may recommend nutritional supplements as a part of your child’s cold or flu treatment regimen. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties. Zinc, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin B complex are antioxidants that help support healthy immune function. Thymus extract may be used to help build the immune system. Your doctor will recommend a specific supplementation plan that is right for your child’s condition. Learn more about nutritional therapy.

 

Pediatric Cold & Flu Success Stories

No More Drugs or Monthly Colds
Kevin is 7 years old and has caught a cold almost every month. Each time he got sick, it quickly settled into his chest and caused bronchitis and asthmatic episodes for which his pediatrician prescribed breathing treatments and steroid medications. His mother was concerned about having him use steroid medications so often. Kevin had to take many days off from school, which made him feel depressed.

He came to Tao of Wellness and, after his consultation, we initially focused on treating a lingering cough from his most recent cold. Kevin was given acupuncture on his back, neck, arms and legs. Kevin was also given a custom Chinese herbal formula in tincture form that included pinellia, poria, tangerine peel, and apricot kernel to reduce bronchial inflammation, cough, and congestion. Kevin’s nutritional recommendations to improve lung function and clear out excessive mucus included avoiding sugar, dairy, and wheat while recommending broccoli, cauliflower, apples, pears, Asian pears, and soups. After one treatment his cough went away and he no longer needed his steroidal medication or breathing treatment.

We then advised his mother to bring Kevin in at the first sign of his next cold. Kevin came in a few weeks later with a sore throat and a mild cough. We began the treatments immediately. Within the week, his cold resolved and did not turn into bronchitis or lead to asthma. Over the next 6 months, Kevin got only two cold, and his mother brought him in at the first sign. Each time his symptoms went away quicker.

 

Recurrent Ear Infections Gone
Dylan is 13 months old. Three months ago, he started getting recurring colds that always turned into ear infections. He was put on antibiotics each time by his pediatrician. When his mother brought him to our clinic, Dylan still had symptoms of an ear infection even after his recent antibiotic treatment. Dylan was fussy and irritable. His mother was also frustrated that his ear infection had been difficult to manage and slow to heal. After his initial evaluation, Dylan was given a custom treatment plan. His pediatric acupuncture involved momentary stimulation of points on his neck, arms, and legs. Dylan received herbal drops for his ears that included antibacterial and antiviral herbs. He also received oral drops to reduce inflammation and improve immune function. Dylan’s nutritional recommendations included avoiding sugars, fruit juice, cow dairy, and wheat while focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soups, and easy-to-digest protein like chicken, turkey, and fish. After his first week of treatment, Dylan’s ear looked much better with less swelling and redness, and he was no longer fussy and irritable. Over the next three months Dylan continued his treatment and successfully prevented further colds and ear infections from returning. As a management plan for Dylan’s future, we advised his mother to bring him in when she notices the first sign of a cold.

 

Natural Healthcare for Cold and Flu

Tao of Wellness was established in 1976 as a resource to address pediatric colds and flus. We strive to support your children in mind and body, and invite you to make an appointment for their health and wellbeing. It would be our pleasure to serve you.