Did you know Pediatric treatments can be entirely needle-free?

What to Expect in a Pediatric Treatment

In the initial visit, Kate will learn about your child's current health concerns and general wellbeing, use hands-on treatment (non-needle options and/or acupuncture), and offer recommendations for improved health and healing.

• We will spend roughly 30 minutes introducing your child to the space, my tools, and we will discuss your child’s health history followed by

• a 10-30 minute (non-needle or with with needles) treatment. Some children require a fair amount of play to get to know me and feel at ease in that first treatment, so i like to leave time for that if needed. See below for descriptions of the various tools and modalities I use in my pediatric practice.

To book online, schedule a “Pediatric Initial Consultation and Treatment” under Services for Babies, Children, and Teens via the button below.

*If you do not see a time on the schedule that works for your child, reach out by text to request a pediatric appointment at another time. I reserve extra times during after-school and weekends for pediatric patients. Reach Kate at : (707) 397-0671.

Effective treatment for children can be entirely needle-free!

Non-Needle Treatment Tools & Techniques

Shonishin (literally translated as “little children needle” but uses no needle) is a Japanese non-insertive method of treating infants and children under 10 years old. Small metal tools or shells brush, tap, and stimulate points on the skin for powerful and pain-free treatment. Children find it usually soothing and even fun! Following Japanese tradition, Full Moon Shonishin clinics provide well-child care that catalyzes the body to correct imbalances before diseases arise. Shonishin can also treat many childhood physical, emotional and behavioral conditions.

Tuina is a massage form that uses the hands to treat the points and channels of Chinese medicine. These techniques are gentle and enjoyed by children, and can often be utilized at home as well.

Moxibustion involves burning a dried herb, artemisia vulgaris, or mugwort, over a specific acupuncture point, or in a region. With children, Kate uses “moxa stickers” and a tigerwarmer (a.k.a. the “Fire Fairy”). Moxa stickers can be placed directly on the skin without the risk of burns. A tigerwarmer is a metal tool that holds a pressed stick of moxa and glides along the skin to disperse warmth along sensitive skin.

Herbal Medicine is chosen specifically for your child’s constitution and condition to help their bodies continue the healing process. I use herbal medicine with almost all my pediatric patients because they are such a safe, affordable, and effective way to continue treatment at home. The herbal medicines I use all comply to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and are of the highest quality. I find herbal medicine to be especially effective in teething, reduction of vaccine side effects, digestive problems, and flu & fever treatment.

Acupuncture for Children

I use either Press Needles that I call “Magic Stickers”, or traditional acupuncture needles that are especially short and thin & not retained.

Press Needles or “Magic Stickers” are easy to use with children. A .3mm needle is encased in a surgical grade latex-free adhesive and pressed on the skin at an acupuncture point. Kids don’t notice the needle at all and the sticker can stay on for 2-3 days, promoting a healing response beyond the office treatment. They are a fan favorite of my pediatric patients!

Acupuncture for Children The needles are even thinner and are inserted and then immediately removed, so the child can continue to move & play as they like. Children have energy that is more sensitive than adults, so fewer points are used and often they require fewer treatments to return to wellness.

How old do they need to be for acupuncture? All ages can receive acupuncture safely, even infants should the situation necessitate that treatment However, I find most children thrive with simple non-needle methods with only 1 or 2 “taps” (acupuncture needles) occasionally until age 8-10. At that age children will see improvements faster with the use of acupuncture needles done in a very gentle way in conjunction with herbal medicine.