It doesn't end with your dog, however. Your baby might also be a candidate for acupuncture. "In general, acupuncture can be used to help treat gastrointestinal issues, colic, pain and jaundice in children," says Vivien Eng, an acupuncturist at Gingerchi. "It can also be helpful in reducing the severity of ADHD. Parents who would prefer to reduce the use of medication for their child should consider acupuncture. A lot of health issues stems from gut health, which acupuncture can help in balancing."
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How does acupuncture work for babies and pets?
Acupuncture can also be great for babies dealing with teething and dermatologic issues. "The earlier your child is exposed to Chinese medicine and acupuncture, the easier and better it is for the parents," says Dan. "Usually, very small hair-thin needles are inserted and quickly removed on about 4-6 areas on the body. Some babies will only have the application of magnets like 24K gold ear seeds. It depends on the baby." For pets, the treatment depends on the animal. "Sometimes, they lay with the needles in them and the needles can be retained, for others it would be quick insertions and removals," says Dan.
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What else do you need to know?
It should go without saying that since there are risks with any sort of invasive treatment (including bruising or bleeding), it's imperative to go to a specialist, but generally speaking acupuncturists know where and how deep to apply each needle. Typically sessions last 30 minutes to an hour, just as they would for adults.
