Acupuncture Brings Relief with Few Side Effects

Sometimes medication can do only so much, especially in children who have medication sensitivities or dose limitations. But Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital offers a treatment that can complement medication and other treatments while causing few side effects: acupuncture.

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Since August 2012, pediatric rehabilitation physician Benjamin Katholi, MD, has been offering the treatment for patients from birth to age 25 at Children’s Hospital Shaker Campus.

A complementary tool with diverse applications

“Acupuncture is a complementary tool,” says Dr. Katholi. “It doesn’t replace conventional medical treatments. If you have diabetes, you still need insulin. If you have seizures, you still need epilepsy medications. But there’s a place for both.”

Dr. Katholi finds acupuncture especially helpful in treating children and teens with complex conditions such as brain injuries and chronic pain. It’s proven to provide relief from a wide range of symptoms (see symptoms list below) without causing side effects, as medication sometimes does. And a single treatment can address multiple symptoms.

How it works

How acupuncture works isn’t completely understood. “In terms of pain control, acupuncture encourages the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers,” Dr. Katholi notes. “There is ongoing research worldwide in adults and children to identify how acupuncture works and to validate its therapeutic uses.”

In general, acupuncture involves the selection of local, regional or global points to achieve different effects. Techniques include:

Gently inserting needles
Laser stimulation
Electrical stimulation
Acupressure (gently massaging points)

Needles not required

Needle stimulation is the most powerful treatment, but not everyone requires it.

“I prefer not using needles for younger patients,” Dr. Katholi says. “Acupressure, laser and electrical stimulation are painless and can provide some of the same effects.”

He also teaches patients how to use acupressure therapies on their own, especially to reduce symptoms such as nausea, headache and stress.

For older children who may benefit from needle treatment, Dr.Katholi is careful to explain that acupuncture needles are different from the needles used to draw blood. They are hair-thin and nearly painless. He explains that treatment doesn’t typically require dozens of needles. He uses the fewest necessary.

However, it can take four to six sessions to accurately gauge the treatment’s success. The effect of acupuncture is additive, similar to consistent use of a medication.

A collaborative effort

Often acupuncture techniques can be incorporated into a child’s regular therapy sessions. For example, if a physical therapist is working to loosen tight muscles, Dr. Katholi can assist with acupuncture during the same session.

“Physicians and therapists tell me the goals they’ve set for the patient, and I plan acupuncture treatments to support them,” says Dr. Katholi. “It’s a collaborative effort.”

To learn more about acupuncture at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital or how it could be an effective part of your patient’s treatment plan, call 216.448.6679.