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Kid Health

Complementary medicine and your child By Kimberly GomesPublished: April, 2009

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Contrary to popular belief, complementary alternative medicine (CAM) is a safe and accredited way to treat many childhood ailments. But before diving in, parents must be properly informed to ensure their children are in the right place for the right reason.     Our local renowned children’s health care facilities, Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and Loma Linda University Pediatric, have entire departments committed to CAM. And insurance companies are now covering these therapies with more frequency. What’s the alternative? Complementary alternative medicine comes in a variety of packages that don’t typically stress the traditional, Western medical philosophy. CAM is also known as “integrative” or “holistic” medicine; these systems treat ailments by using unconventional therapies along with Western applications.     “Holistic Medicine refers to a mind, body and spirit approach to care for an individual,” says Dr. Ruth McCarty, director of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program at CHOC. “A holistic practitioner cannot separate these aspects of a human being.” CAM combines a variety of methods to diagnose and treat illness by focusing on what the body needs to heal itself.     “Integrative medicine brings together the best of both worlds and integrates them together into one new model of medicine,” says Dr. Pejman Katiraei, medical director of Loma Linda University Medical Center’s Wholistic Medicine Clinic.   Breaking it down Complementary alternative medicine consists of many therapies, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, dietary and herbal healing, homeopathy and massage therapy. Here are some of the most popular therapies currently utilized: > Dietary supplements – Vitamins, minerals and herbs such as probiotics, fish oils and vitamin D are frequently used to remedy colds, as well as viral infections and zinc deficiencies. Although most are safe for all ages, stronger herbs such as Echinacea are not recommended for young children. > Acupuncture – A popular treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is generally used to relieve pain and discomfort. In addition, it has been found to help children with problems such as ADHD, asthma, depression and upset stomachs.     “Acupuncture works phenomenally for certain circumstances such as bed-wetting,” says Katiraei. “It has also been seen to resolve migraines and joint pain, and increase the person’s amount of energy.” Typically, children should not undergo this therapy until the age of 1 or 2. > Chiropractic – Found to be safe and beneficial for youngsters, chiropractic care can resolve spinal and nervous system trauma resulting from births in which forceps, vacuums or Caesarian sections are used. This method also treats spinal misalignments that may occur as children fall when learning to crawl. > Homeopathy – This mode treats a disease with heavily diluted compounds created from substances that would normally cause effects similar to the disease’s symptoms. According to practitioners, this system strengthens children’s immune systems and can treat asthma, bed-wetting, ear infections, colds and teething.     “Homeopathy is an amazing phenomenon. I have seen enough firsthand cases where I recommend it,” says Katiraei. Things to consider If you are considering any form of CAM, speak with your primary care physician and inquire about a good practitioner.     “It’s important to meet with the practitioner to discuss a defined treatment plan aimed at mutually agreed-upon goals,” says McCarty.     To ensure that your child is in safe hands, ask questions about the practitioner’s credentials, licensing, training, certifications, duration of practice and treatment cost. This information is imperative to ensure that your child is in the right hands. n Kimberly Gomes is an intern at OC Family magazine. ALT.HEALTH If the idea of providing alternative medical care to complement traditional methods is something you’d like to learn more about, point your mouse to the following Web sites: > Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at UCI sscim.uci.edu > Radix Acupuncture & Chiropractic radixwellness.com > American Holistic Medical Association holisticmedicine.org > National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine nccam.nih.gov > ConsumerLab.com > Andrew Weil, M.D. dr.weil.com > Alternative Medicine Foundation amfoundation.org Continued... 1  |  2

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