TL;DR — Quick summary
Shonishin is a Japanese pediatric AcuTherapy approach using gentle surface contact with specialized tools. Visits are adapted to the child and may be brief. Ask about technique, comfort and safety, and keep pediatric medical care central; complementary treatment is not a cure for developmental or medical conditions.
Table of contents
Why parents ask about pediatric AcuTherapy
As a parent, I often find myself deliberating over the “best” health decisions for my children- what should/shouldn’t my kid eat, what products I should avoid, when I should call the pediatrician about that months-long runny nose. Sometimes, I make the mistake of relying on Google for answers (we all know what rabbit hole that leads down). When it comes to parenting, no amount of reading, evidence, or advice will prepare you for the decisions you will have to make concerning your child’s health. But did you know that there is an alternative treatment that is used as complementary support for some childhood ailments?
What is Shonishin?
Shonishin is a Japanese-style form of acutherapy. While traditional acupuncture uses very fine, small needles, Shonishin utilizes different tools that are used gently on the skin and adapted to the child. Shonishin techniques are applied directly to the surface of the skin, rather than using needle retention that traditional Chinese acupuncture exercises. Treatments typically last from a few minutes to 15 minutes, depending on the age of the child and the condition that is being treated. Suitability depends on age, health needs and comfort; it is not automatically appropriate for every child.
What are realistic treatment expectations?
Families sometimes ask about complementary support for sleep or digestive concerns. Evidence varies by condition, and Shonishin should not be described as a cure for ADHD or other diagnosed conditions. Discuss persistent symptoms with the child’s pediatrician.
Safety questions before a first visit
Ask about pediatric training, hygiene, which tools will be used and how the practitioner will respond if your child is uncomfortable. Complementary care should never delay medical evaluation. The pediatric needle-acupuncture safety review describes both mild and serious reported events; those findings cannot establish the safety of every non-insertive technique.
Pediatric AcuTherapy appointments in Lakewood
Bumblebee AcuTherapy welcomes patients at 2201 Kipling Street, Suite 205, Lakewood, CO 80215. Learn about the pediatric AcuTherapy service and parent questions and use our visit guide to plan your journey from Lakewood or nearby Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Golden and west Denver.
For appointment questions, call Maya at 720-893-0385 or Dierdre at 720-727-7490. You can also check online appointment availability. We have one Lakewood office; references to nearby communities describe our service area, not additional locations.
