by Dorothy Evanovich
When it comes to improving emotional health, many people in the United States are now relying on natural techniques instead of medications. One of the most popular alternative remedies they turn to is acupuncture. This technique originated from China, and works by sticking needles in certain meridian points around the patient’s body.
According to statistics, as much as three million people all over the country – most of them adults – try acupuncture every year. But lately, this alternative remedy is becoming popular among children as well. In 2007 alone, the government says that almost 150,000 children underwent acupuncture.
But is acupuncture really recommended for children?
Acupuncture is Safe, as Long as the Safety Regulations Are Followed
According to recent studies, acupuncture is safe for children. A study from Harvard Medical School looked at the effects of acupuncture on a group of 50 children, most of them teenagers with migraine or endometriosis, a condition linked to painful menstruation. The researchers found that the families considered acupuncture “pleasant and helpful,” even though some patients initially had misgivings about the treatment, particularly the use of needles. However, as they progressed on with the treatment, many developed positive attitudes.
However, the safety of acupuncture is only guaranteed if the procedure is done in the hands of a trained practitioner.
A study published in the journal Pediatrics revealed that one in 10 children experienced side effects when going through acupuncture. The analysis evaluated 1,422 children and teens, 168 of whom experienced side effects. However, these side effects were pretty mild, such as numbness, bruising, and pain in the puncture areas.
Serious side effects, such as infections and nerve impairment, occurred very rarely. The serious side effects mostly occurred in clinics that did not follow the strict safety regulations. In one acupuncture clinic in China, it was found that 12 cases of “deformities” have occurred from 1983 to 1989.
Are There Alternative Options to Acupuncture?
Although the side effects of acupuncture are pretty mild, many people may still have misgivings when going through this emotional health remedy. Some would look for alternatives, like yoga, meditation, and even exercise. But there is another wonderful option that may work just as well as acupuncture, called the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).
EFT is a psychological acupuncture technique that is becoming recognized by many health experts. It focuses mostly on emotional health, which is very important to your physical health and healing.
EFT works on the same principle of acupuncture – it targets the same energy meridian points, but without the use of needles. Instead, these meridian points are stimulated through tapping, allowing kinetic energy to flow through the whole body. While doing this, the person will be focusing on the physical or emotional problems he is experiencing and voicing a positive affirmation.
EFT Works Great for Children
EFT works on a variety of physical and emotional health issues. It works on traumas, depression, addiction, heartbreak, and physical pain. It can even work on food cravings. People who are trying to manage their weight often turn to EFT.
There are three main reasons why the Emotional Freedom Technique is recommended for children’s physical and emotional health issues:
1. It’s safe and non-invasive.
2. It’s easy. Just familiarize yourself with the meridian points and you can do this simple technique even without the help of a practitioner.
3. You can do it anywhere. This is perfect for people who are always on the go or have busy schedules.
If you are hesitant to have your child try acupuncture, you can let him try EFT instead. EFT is pretty simple to learn. The benefits are long-term and you will never have to worry about potential side effects at all.
(Dorothy Evanovich is a mother to five kids. Despite her doctor’s advice to use acupuncture for their health problems, she prefers the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) because of its non-invasive nature. Today, all of her kids know how to use this physical and emotional health tool to alleviate minor health problems.)
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