Pediatric Oriental Medicine: Pediatrics is one of the oldest specialties within the field of Oriental Medicine. From infants to toddlers and on up to teenagers children can be treated naturally and effectively within this holistic framework. The approach of Oriental Medicine includes Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture (at FirstHealth we use Shonishin a non-needle painless form of treatment), Pediatric Massage and Diet. Chinese herbal Medicine is the mainstay of this practice and will likely be included in any treatment plan.

The Initial Visit: During your initial visit an Oriental Medicine specialist will take a detailed health history with you and your child. This will include questions about a variety of bodily systems that may at first seem unrelated to the main complaint. This is due to the fact that Oriental Medicine uses a holistic approach that attempts to identify the underlying cause of disease. This underlying cause is called the “Root” and by treating the root of disease we can affect a quicker and more permanent therapeutic result. Besides a health history the practitioner will also look at your child’s tongue, take their pulse, inspect their skin color and listen to their breathing. These individual characteristics of each child will help identify the root and give the practitioner more information regarding the diagnosis. At the conclusion of the initial visit the Oriental Medicine specialist will prepare a treatment plan for your child. The treatment plan will likely include the prescription of a Chinese Herbal Medicinal formula and may also include dietary recommendations, at home massage or acupressure techniques you can use with your child and a schedule of Shonishin treatments.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: CHM is a safe and natural form of treatment for children that can be used effectively for a wide array of both acute and chronic illnesses. As each child presents with a specific set of signs and symptoms related to their main complain, each child will receive an individual herbal prescription that is specific for their condition. CHM can be dispensed to children in a number of ways and is quite easily tolerated by them. Babies and young children can receive liquid tinctures that can be squirted directly into the back of their mouth. Older children can receive powders that can be mixed in with food or liquid and children who are able to swallow them can be prescribed herbs in pill form. When CHM is prescribed by a qualified professional it is safe and effective with few or no side effects.

Our Approach: At FirstHealth we aim to provide effective and comprehensive care as part of our Pediatric Wellness Initiative. Oriental Medicine offers an approach that looks at the whole child, both body and mind, and has treatment options that can address your child’s health concerns in an integrated way. Emphasizing prevention and early treatment we aim to empower parents and children attain and maintain lifelong health.

- Jason Henson, MAOM, L.Ac.

Pediatric Wellness Initiative