Pediatric Acupuncture: Shonishin

 Shonishin and Pediatric Support

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.

What is Shonishin?

Shonishin is a Japanese term, referring to “acupuncture” for infants and children. In fact, shonishin does not actually puncture the skin at all.

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 constitution, 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.

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.

Earth / Spleen

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

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

What is involved in a treatment?

Shonishin is incredibly gentle and healing. Initial visits las about 30-45 minutes and involve a thorough medical history and quick shonishin treatment for the child. Follow-up appointments are about 10-15 minutes.

After a few treatments, we can begin to see some great improvements in their health: more calm, less stressed, relaxed, etc. Your health consults can also include dietary and herbal recommendations - customized for your child.

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