Shonishin, more commonly known as Japanese pediatric acupuncture, dates back to 17th century Japan in the Osaka region. Since the 1960's it has become extremely popular in Japan. Shonishin is an Acupuncture practice with adjustments to make it more comfortable for children up to about 12 or 13 years old. Shonishin is performed without needles except in special cases.

Shonihari, another form of Japanese pediatric acupuncture, is a totally non-needle therapy for children of all ages. It also includes certain healing techniques for parents to perform at home. In the past 120 years, Shonihari has become an especially popular treatment for children in Japan.

Both practices have developed based on the energy meridian philosophy of acupuncture.

The Shonishin practice

The Shonishin practice uses blunt tools and techniques that gently stroke, tap, massage, and press the various energy meridians and acupuncture points of the child.

This facilitates healing through the return of the body’s blocked or unbalanced energy systems to homeostasis. Home treatments, including rubbing and tapping, often are taught to the parents. For certain conditions, specially designed children’s acupuncture needles may be gently applied.

What Shonishin accomplishes

Successful Shonishin treatments have been noted when treating colic, indigestion, GERD, constipation and diarrhea, ADHD, allergies, asthma, eczema, hives, bed-wetting, and stuttering.

The Shonihari practice

Because children’s acupuncture points and energy pathways are more sensitive and respond more quickly than those of adults, Shonihari treatment is quite gentle, consisting of massaging or mild scraping of different parts of the body with specialized scraping tools.

Press balls may be placed on the body before returning home to extend the effect of the session. Parents are taught simple techniques to be performed at home, as well.

What Shonihari accomplishes

Asthma, eczema, and digestion issues are common conditions treated. Other conditions often treated with Shonihari are crying at night, coughing, excessive quarreling, poor appetite, biting, insufficient sleep, atopic dermatitis, and much more.