Acupuncture and Health Problems of the Modern Teenager

 

The teenage years involve a great deal of change and growth both emotionally and physically.  With the added pressures that life brings, such as exams, friendship worries etc. the body can struggle to cope with the changes to its natural balance. 

 

Common problems at this age are acne and/or greasy skin (more prevalent with boys), mood swings and depression, and the onset of menstrual problems for girls.

 

Skin Problems

 

The conventional way to treat this problem is by applying medicated creams to the surface of the skin, in order to unblock the pores.  However in terms of Chinese medicine, the imbalance lies further within the body.  If the whole body is treated, then the internal energy can be balanced, and the skin can regain its natural healthy state. 

 

Mood Swings and Depression

 

It is quite normal to experience mood swings when there are so many hormonal changes occurring in the body.  But with the pressures of teenage life, these can sometimes lead to more serious problems such as anger, frustration and depression.

 

Acupuncture can be very helpful in these circumstances, as it has a very calming effect on the whole body.  It can then assist the body in redressing the hormone balance.  An added benefit is that a person can feel an overall sense of well being, and an increase in energy.  This is because Chinese medicine is based upon treating the body as a whole entity; respecting the delicate balance of different energies, which of course include hormones and emotions. 

 

Menstrual Problems

 

It is often difficult to cope with the onset of menstruation at this busy time of life, let alone added complications such as PMT and period pains!  Again, these symptoms often worsen with stress, and this can create havoc at exam  time.  As acupuncture can help us to feel less stressed, symptoms of PMT can be less likely to recur once problems have been alleviated.

 

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves inserting very fine needles into the skin at specific points that are known to affect and balance our body’s energetic flow.  By taking a number of pulses on each wrist, an acupuncturist can determine the overall state of energy (called Qi) within the body.  By taking a detailed medical history of a person, including lifestyle, eating habits etc., a diagnosis and treatment plan can be formulated. 

 

We generally find that young people respond well to treatment, and that their bodies quickly rebalance themselves.  This is probably because their problems are relatively recent in their development. It is important to address these hormonal imbalances now, as they can sometimes persist into adulthood.

 

Children aged 16 and under are charged a reduced rate of £20 per treatment

 

If you would like to make an appointment, or book a free consultation,with Linda Colclasure, one of the Earlsdon Practice's acupuncturists, please contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page or call us on 02476 691100.