Pediatric Tui Na
Pediatric tui na is a separate discipline within Chinese medicine, developed for children specifically. There are no needles and no medication.
A separate discipline
In Chinese medicine a child’s body is not treated as a smaller adult body. The digestive system is still maturing and the defences are still developing, so both the diagnosis and the technique are different.
A trained practitioner uses gentle, specific, directional strokes on the hands, arms, abdomen and back.
What pediatric tui na treats
Appetite and digestion
Trapped food, picky eating, a bloated abdomen, stools that alternate between constipated and loose, and spit-up after feeds.
Low resistance
Children who catch everything at daycare and take a long time to recover. Regular gentle treatment over time supports circulation and strengthens the constitution.
Sleep
Night waking, crying out in sleep, restlessness, difficulty falling asleep and irritability.
Minor everyday complaints
Mild stuffiness after getting chilled, and discomfort from indigestion.
What a session involves
Sessions are short, because children do not need long ones, and the technique is gentle throughout. A child’s skin is delicate, so the work is soft rather than firm, and never pressed to the point of redness or discomfort. We use baby oil or talc so nothing drags on the skin.
Direction matters. Many pediatric points work in one direction and not the other, which is why the technique should be learned properly rather than copied from a video.
Most children find it soothing and many fall asleep.
Book an appointment
New patients start with a consultation. See our Fees page for current fees.