Your Child is Not a Mini-You.

Chinese medicine has many ancient proverbs and sayings.  These old sayings have been around for centuries and guide current Doctors of Oriental Medicine with rich and ancient wisdom.  Especially when it comes to treating children.  

Children are vastly different than adults when it comes to helping them regain health.  They have their own dynamic energy systems that are different from ours.  They can’t be treated as we would treat ourselves.  It is important to remember some of the more common proverbs known by pediatric Doctors of Oriental Medicine.

One of the first sayings from the ancients is: “Children’s Spleen is often insufficient.”  What does this mean to the modern Western parent?  Well first you have to understand that according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the spleen is in charge of the entire process of digestion, absorption of nutrients, and energy formed after birth (It strongly relates to the pancreas in Western medicine).  Before babies are born, their mother’s spleen does all the work for them.  After birth, digesting food is their main focus as well as their main problem.  Their Spleens’ must work very hard.  Because of this hard work, most of their problems in the beginning of life revolve around harmonizing the spleen.  It is a common belief in Chinese that the only thing babies and toddlers suffer from is indigestion, regardless of the symptoms.  Most of their common medical problems can be traced to this.  To avoid creating problems with infants and toddlers digestive system you must not over feed the child.  And to all those in favor of adding rice to the baby’s bottle at a few weeks, DON’T!   You are sure to suffer the consequences down the line.   Also, avoid giving to many sweets or fatty foods.  Some common childhood ailments that can present from spleen problems are chronic ear infections, coughs, reflux, constipation, and diarrhea.

Another ancient saying is that “Children’s Yin is Often Insufficient”.  Children are said to be 100% yang.  That means they are bundles of moving energy, constantly active and on the move.  Because they are so full of fire they are easily prone to developing heat conditions such as fevers and convulsions.   

“Organs are fragile and soft, qi easily leaves its path”.  This saying is simply stating that babies and toddlers are very delicate.  It is not difficult for external or environmental factors to disturb their energy patterns.   They easily catch cold in chilly or windy climates and can become overheated quickly in hot environments.  They succumb to viruses and bacteria easily.  They can have extreme reactions to bug bites or animal bites.  They are also quickly affected by any kind of diet change.

It is common knowledge in TCM and Western medicine that any illness during infancy must be watched carefully.  Children’s illnesses can quickly become serious.  Fevers can rise rapidly, coughs can turn serious, infections can rage in hours.  This is why parents must pay attention when their infants are sick.  But one of the best things about children is that as quickly as they become sick, they become well.  Their bodies are clear and full of spirit.  They go to extremes but bounce back just as quick.  One reason they can recoup so quickly is because young children are not emotionally involved or vested in their illness.  They do reflect the emotions and attitudes of those around them, however.  So when your child is ill, you need to remain calm so that they can operate from that sense of peace.  If you are anxious and worried, they will be as well.
One of my most favorite of all Chinese proverbs relating to children is “To Treat the Child You Must Treat the Mother.”  So often in my clinic I have seen children shift before my eyes as I am treating their mother.  It was amazing to see how intricately their energetic bonds are weaved.  And on some occasions it would be the father they were connected with.  Don’t get me wrong, our children have ties and bonds to both parents.  But for the first seven years of life, they are more likely to display the mother’s disruptions and imbalances.  They will be a product of the mother’s strengths and weaknesses.  It is after seven years that more energetic relations come into play.  This is also the reason that when our children are sick, you often feel weak as well.  That and the fact that you are up 24 hours a day trying to make your babies feel better!  But for best results, acupuncture physicians treat the mother and child as one unit when trying to make the baby feel better.

For further information on using Traditional Chinese Medicine to balance your child's health please contact our office.  Click here to get a coupon for a FREE 15 minute evaluation to see if our methods can help you and your child.

In Health,
Kimberly Marin AP, RD
Board Certified Acupuncture Physician & Registered Dietitian

 
Serving Weston Acupuncture, Davie Acupuncturist, Southwest Ranches, Cooper City and Pembroke Pines