The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Acupuncture in practice: investigating acupuncturists' approach to treating infantile colic.

Author

Summary, in English

Infantile colic is common, but no safe and effective conventional treatment exists. The use of acupuncture has increased despite weak evidence. This practitioner survey explores and discusses how infantile colic is regarded and treated in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The study is based on personal communication with 24 acupuncturists from nine countries. These acupuncturists specialize in pediatric acupuncture and represent different styles of acupuncture. Their experiences are discussed and related to relevant books and articles. Informants claimed good results when treating infants with colic. The TCM patterns commonly described by informants matched the textbooks to a great extent. The most common syndromes were "stagnation of food" and "Spleen Qi Xu." Regarding treatment, some informants followed the teachers' and the textbook authors' advice on differentiated treatment according to syndrome. The points used most often were LI4, ST36, and Sifeng. Other informants treated all infants alike in one single point, LI4. The results demonstrate the diversity of TCM. The use of acupuncture for infantile colic presents an interesting option, but further research is needed in order to optimize the effects and protect infants from unnecessary or less effective treatment.

Publishing year

2013

Language

English

Publication/Series

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Volume

2013

Issue

Nov 13

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Hindawi Limited

Topic

  • Other Medical Sciences not elsewhere specified

Status

Published

Project

  • Promoting early childhood health; supporting parents, vulnerable children and challenged families
  • LUC3 - Lund University Child Centered Care

Research group

  • Child and Family Health

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1741-427X