Alternative and Holistic Care for Kids

Most parents are dedicated to keeping their kids healthy by taking them to their well visits and to the doctor when they are sick but more and more parents are looking to holistic care, as well.

With the overuse of antibiotics and other medications some parents are seeking other options like acupuncture, chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy and homeopathy to keep their kids in top form.

I preface this with the stern caution that you must check with your child’s pediatrician first before trying any of the therapies and alternatives mentioned here. But in conjunction with traditional Western medicine, alternative care can be extremely helpful if not more effective in some cases.

Case in point. When my kids were getting what seemed to be ear infection after ear infection I took them to see my chiropractor who utilizes a very gentle form of chiropractic manipulation. She realized that their head and neck region was frozen up no doubt from the daily craziness of boy antics. After a few treatments they were significantly better which meant less antibiotic use.

My kids see our chiropractor as a preventative measure to keep their bodies aligned and healthy which has resulted in less sick days and a stronger immune system.

As a society, we are so used to the “quick fix” and often just want a prescription to cure whatever ails us. In some circumstances finding the root cause of illness and treating that is far more effective in the long run than popping a pill. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

I have always been in close communication with our pediatrician about what I am thinking of trying with the kids and he has always given his blessing. More practitioners are open to alternatives when used wisely and in conjunction with traditional medicine. You just need to ask.

When my son had his eye removed after a second corneal transplant caused a massive hemorrhage, I asked the surgeon if it was okay to give him the homeopathic remedy Arnica, which we had used for swelling in the past after his other surgeries. The surgeon was downright gleeful when I mentioned it as she said as a physician she was not allowed to recommend homeopathic remedies to patients but she said Arnica was “a miracle.” It was.

When we took our son for his three day post-op visit he had almost no swelling. We were warned by hospital staff to prepare ourselves as his face would blow up after having his eye removed. It never happened. His surgeon told us that thanks to the Arnica he looked three months post-op, not three days.

Do your research and I again implore you to check with your pediatrician first before trying any alternative therapy on a child. Once the doctor has granted approval, find a certified practitioner with experience.

There are many options out there that have stood the test of time and just may help boost your child’s health when used as a supplement to traditional care.