Children’s Wellness

 Shonishin:

Pediatric Acupuncture

&

Elemental Wellness

Gentle, non-needle techniques for our young one’s.

Close-up of an adult hand holding a child's hand, both in black and white.

Why This Matters

As a parent, you want your child to feel held, safe, and resilient as they grow into who they’re meant to be. But modern childhood often comes with hidden burdens: poor sleep, digestive distress, intense emotions, nervous system activation. At Lumen, we believe supporting your child’s nervous system and restoring balance early empowers them for life.

What is Shonishin?

Shonishin is a Japanese term, referring to “acupuncture” for infants and children. In fact, shonishin uses no needles at all. It does not actually puncture the skin - keeping your little one comfortable and relaxed.

Shonishin uses very light and gentle non-insertive techniques, using a variety of metal tools. These techniques, specialized for infants, babies, toddlers, or adolescents include soothing brushing strokes along the acupuncture channels, light tapping and occasional light touch at a particular point.

Based on the the overall symptoms presented and primary health concerns, a good treatment is able to support the child’s base constitutional health, while also helping to clear the acute health concerns.

After a few visits, we can begin to see changes in the child:

sleeping better, less fussy, improved digestion, and much more.

Regulate the nervous system • Improve sleep & digestion • Support your child’s vitality

A person receiving a massage on their forearm, with another person's hands applying pressure.
A collection of metal and wooden tools, including a metal spoon, a metal probe, a wooden spoon, a wooden tube, a thin metal rod, and a small wooden scraper, arranged on a dark fabric surface.
Person getting a tattoo on their lower abdomen with a tattoo needle.

 How can Shonishin support my child?

Many health concerns for children can be understood through the lens of the 5 elements of Chinese medicine: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. These are constitutional categories that represent a child’s primary health concern.

Shonishin supports your child’s innate healing abilities, through the lens of Chinese medicine.

A man holding a baby, looking into each other's eyes, indoors.

Elemental Wellness

Water / Kidneys

Developmental or congenital disorders, bed wetting, weak or reduced immune system, failure to thrive, fear, nightmares, depression.

Wood / Liver

Anger, tantrums, irritability, aggressive behavior, stress, emotional sensitivities, nervousness.

Fire / Heart

Emotional stress, trauma, fevers, ear infections, insomnia, seizures, ADHD, depression, anxiety, sorrow, shyness.

Earth / Spleen

Digestive disorders, colic, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, low appetite, anxiety, ADHD, optimal weight.

Metal / Lungs

Immune support, frequent colds, flu, asthma, skin disorders, hives, eczema, runny nose, shortness of breath, grief, depression,

A man giving a chiropractic adjustment to a young boy lying face down on a bed.

Common Challenges We Help

  • Sleepless nights, frequent waking, restless sleep

  • Digestive struggles: colic, constipation, diarrhea, low appetite

  • Emotional/behavioral shifts: tantrums, irritability, anxiety, trouble focusing

  • Recurrent ear infections, fevers, weak immunity

  • Bed-wetting, fears or nightmares

  • Nervous system tension: over-reactivity, difficulty calming down

How it works:

  • Initial Visit (30-45 mins): A calm, age-appropriate consult with the parent and child, intake of health history, overview of concerns, then a gentle Shonishin treatment to support the system.

  • Follow-Up Visits (15-20 mins): Focused, brief treatments tailored to your child’s needs and progress—ideal for busy families.

  • We may also recommend supportive herbs or dietary suggestions if relevant, tailored to your child’s constitution and health pattern.

  • After a few treatments, we can begin to see some great improvements in their health: more calm, less stressed, relaxed, etc.

  • These treatments help to reset their health patterns, support the immune system, and return your child to optimal health.

Outcomes You Can Expect

After a few sessions, many families notice:

  • Sleep that settles and deepens

  • Digestion stabilizes

  • Fewer tantrums, more ease in daily rhythm

  • Improved immunity, fewer illnesses

  • Calmness, clearer focus, steadier nervous system

  • A child who shows up more as themselves—balanced, happier, alive

When your child thrives, the family thrives.

Next Steps

Ready to support your child’s health and nervous system with gentle, effective care?
Schedule your child’s Shōnishin session today at Lumen and set them on a path of vital growth and ease.

Schedule Your Child