Hello, my name is Angelina He, and I am a paediatric acupuncturist working at The Maris Practice. I have a great interest in helping children with ADHD and ASD conditions. As a mum of a teenager and have previously worked with children, those experiences gave me better understanding about how stressful and exhausted the parents be if their child is unwell or in a chronic health condition. It is the main reason for me to become a paediatric acupuncturist which equipped me to help children physically. Treating ADHD and ASD children is incredibly rewarding – once they become more settled, more calm and have better concentration.. but also challenging.

 What is Paediatric acupuncture?

It is a safe, non-invasive and effective natural treatment. It has been practiced in China for thousands of years for supporting children’s developing growth. It involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific  points on the body to regulate the flow of qi – vital energy and promote the healing ability of the body. The treatment itself is very different from treatment for adults. It is much quicker.

Why paediatric acupuncture can help?

As we know, for example, ADHD is a chronic condition. It begins and is mostly diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Two thirds of children diagnosed with ADHD still show symptoms as adults. Children with ADHD often have trouble functioning at home and in school, commonly struggling to make and keep friends. If left untreated, ADHD may interfere with school and work, as well as with social and emotional development.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, any symptoms and manifestations must represent any imbalance within the body, that is a body signal for help! For example, we notice hyperactive children usually need to move all the time, they can’t sit still and are easily distracted. They don’t follow through on instructions or finish things. Some even need one to one support. However, when we think about why the child acts like that, you might say ‘because they have ADHD’, but from TCM prospects we understand that is because when the body’s vital energy – qi is stuck in the head, it forces the child to move as they can’t regulate it by themselves.  So, the treatment principle is to help to descend qi down and regulate qi movement. This will eventually reduce ADHD symptoms. Of course, the cause of qi being stuck in the head is different according to each individual child’s health conditions. It could be caused by Aetiology factors, for example inherited, body heat, stress pressure, poor diet, lack of exercise, too much screen time etc, and for pathology factors including Heat, Phlegm, Blood deficiency etc. Once understanding each individual and the underlying causes, then the tailor made treatment plan will be made.

How does Paediatric acupuncture help?

As a paediatric acupuncturist, I use a special needling technique and offer the smallest silicone coated needles for my young patients. Usually only about 3-4 points are chosen. I also understand that not every child will undergo acupuncture. There are several other alternative techniques that I may use – paediatric Tuina, Moxa – gentle warming therapy and Japanese massage – Shonishin, ear seeds for the treatment. These are painless and have a similar therapeutic effect to acupuncture.

Apart from helping children with ASD and ADHD symptoms, I can also help other typical children illness such as digestive disorder, sleeping problem, sport injury, bedwetting and a range of teenagers’ mental issues.

If you would like to find out more about Paediatric Acupuncture, then please call to me (07830 676 274) or email me or visit my website.