As kids grow, so do their needs, and sometimes that includes support for growing pains. Fortunately, there are gentle, effective, and non-invasive ways to help them feel better fast.
While acupuncture may not be your first thought, there are needle-free pressure techniques that a licensed acupuncturist can utilize to provide relief to your growing child.
Why Growing Hurts (and What We Can Do About It)
Growing pains are one of the most common reasons parents bring their children in for care. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, kids grow so quickly that their energy can shoot upward without enough grounding-similar to a sapling trying to become a tree before its roots are ready.
This can lead to:
- leg aches
- restless sleep
- emotional crankiness
Acupuncture helps “anchor” that energy, easing discomfort and supporting more balanced development. This promotes relaxation, improves circulation, and eases muscular tension in children.
5 Methods of Pediatric Acupuncture
Pediatric acupuncture uses super gentle techniques derived from Eastern medicine to help kids feel better, faster.
The primary ones include:
1. Acupressure
This is a no-needle form of acupuncture that uses gentle manual pressure on specific points throughout the body, including microsystems like the ears and feet. It’s safe, non-invasive, and often easy to learn for use at home, making it a great option for self-care and stress relief.
2. Shonishin
This soothing Japanese technique uses small, specialized tools to gently tap and stroke the skin in a rhythmic pattern, most commonly used for babies and children. This gentle approach helps calm the nervous system while supporting healthy development and immune function, all without breaking the skin.
3. Tuning Forks
Sound is used as a healing tool in this approach by utilizing forks to emit specific frequencies that help restore energetic balance in the body. These vibrations can be held near the body or gently applied to acupuncture points to support relaxation and balance.
4. Red Light Therapy
Also known as low-level light therapy, this technique uses a flashlight-like device that emits specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin. This gentle treatment stimulates cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and enhances circulation, all while you relax in a pain-free session.
BONUS: You get to wear cool protective sunglasses that little ones love.
5. Craniosacral Therapy
This is a subtle hands-on method that works with the craniosacral rhythm, which is the gentle, natural movement of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord. By releasing tension in the fascia and easing restrictions in the nervous system, it facilitates deep healing that is especially helpful for chronic pain.
These therapies stimulate the body’s natural healing response in a soothing, supportive way. Most kids find these treatments calming and even fun; they can color, watch projected starry lights, or play with toys while receiving care.
Why They Are Beneficial
The treatments will nourish the muscles with the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, soothe inflammation and calm the nervous system. Kids leave feeling relaxed, often surprised by how good their body feels after just 20–30 minutes.
Because kids’ bodies are naturally responsive, they often improve in just a few short sessions. Acupuncture also offers a medication-free, low-stress approach for families looking for more holistic care.
Next time you’re in, bring your kiddo along, or schedule a quick visit, and let’s see what benefits pediatric acupuncture can provide for your family.