Shonishin - Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture

Literally means “Child Needle”. Shonishin is used for ages 0-12, mostly infants to 4 year olds.

General considerations
1) Most problems are related to Hara (ST-SP): Regulate digestion
2) Kids have a Yang constitution: Illness develops quickly & resolve quickly, often heat type

Hara Diagnosis - Percussion examination (do lightly!)

High pitch = hypertonus Low pitch = hypotonus Sloshy, gurgling = fluid accumulation
Pitch will change during treatment, re-check; usually goes high to low

Whole-body stroking technique

Stroking or brushing motion, done w/very light touch over the whole body + specific sites.
Generally performed with small scraping-type needle (can use guitar pick)
Speed: about 100-150 strokes per minute. Rhythm should be consistent, continuous.
Length of the strokes: ~3-10 cm. Strength of strokes: Lightly touching to Lightly scraping

Treatment time: 0-3 years: 1-3 minutes. 4-7 years: 3-5 minutes. 8-12 years: 5-7 minutes

Sample Protocol: for a child 1-3 years old: Start on upper back, between scapula
Whole back: 30-45 sec. Head & temples: 10-15 sec ea side. Occiput / nape: 10-15 sec.
Chest and abdomen: 15 sec. Arms / legs, bilateral: 7-10 sec ea limb (Total: 2-3 minutes).

Pressballs; for points. Small children - 30 min to 3 hours, Older children - 1-3 days.

Symptom reactive areas

Back of the head to the neck: Night crying / terrors, sleep problems, crankiness.
Interscapular area: Low appetite, picky eating, milk vomiting, atopic dermatitis.
Sacral area: Diarrhea / constipation. Bedwetting*
Neck, shoulders, chest: Tonsilitis, cough, asthma; Wind evil* (also ST36/GB34 area).
*Bedwetting appears on sacrum and below the waist around the intervertebral spaces.
*Tics, light cases in the neck and shoulders, heavy cases migrate to the back and waist.