Treating hyperactivity in children with acupuncture

Hyperactivity in children, also known as minimal brain dysfunction marked by physical over activity, absent mindedness, lack of self-control, mental retardation, etc. is normally not noted by parents until the children are in school age. It is more common in children between the age of 6-16 years.

From a TCM point of view, hyperactivity in children is due to Deficiency of the Heart, related to insufficiency of Kidney essence and Heart Yin in children. Treatment is aimed to tonify the Heart and Kidney Yin.

Acupuncture Treatment

1. Body acupuncture and plum-blossom

Main Points: Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LV 3), Quchi (LI 11), Shenshu (BL 23)

Supplementary Points:

• unable to concentrate​add Baihui (DU 20), Sishencong (Extra), Daling (PC 7)
• Hyperactivity: add Dingchuan (Extra), Anmian (Extra), Xinshu (BL15)
• Restlessness: add Shenting (DU 24), Tanzhong (REN 17), Zhaohai (KI 6)

Method:

2-3 main points and 1-2 supplementary points are selected each time; rotate and thrust the needles slightly, retain the needles for 10-15 minutes. If children are not cooperating don’t retain the needle.

After withdrawing the needles, tap the region of Du and Bladder meridians on the back with a plum-blossom needle, follow an upward direction.

Give treatment every day to every other day. One course covers ten treatments. New course is started with an interval of 3-5 days.

2. Electro Acupuncture and Ear Points

Main Points:

Group A​

• Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinyao (SP 6), Juegu (GB 39)

Group B​

• Pt. Adrenal, Pt. Brain, Pt. Gallbladder, Pt. Subcortex, Pt. Liver, Pt. Shenmen, Pt. Sympathetic

Method:​ 

Points from both groups should be selected for each treatment (4-5 body points and 5-8 ear points). After electric stimulation on each point for 1-2 minutes apply auricular-seed-pressing therapy to the ear points, one side each time.