A groundbreaking study on the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of allergy symptoms in children was published in the November 2004 issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ng, 2004). The researchers evaluated the effect of active acupuncture applied to three specific points compared to sham acupuncture. The active group received needle insertion to the proper depth with manipulation of the needles. The sham group received treatment at the same points, but with a very superficial insertion and no stimulation of the needles.

I have been going to Jeanne Atkin for two years for preventive health maintenance as well as occasional musculoskeletal issues. During my visits I would tell Jeanne about the merry go round of colds, sore throats and ear infections that Jack (my four year old son) would bring home from day care. Jeanne suggested he come in for a treatment which would include some pediatric massage, sho ni shin (a Japanese technique with cute little rakes and spoons that stimulate the meridians like acupuncture) and maybe an herbal prescription.