How does acupuncture help autism?
There are currently no effective medication treatments for autism.
So where can parents of autistic children seek help? Well treatments can include a variety of behavioural, speech and physical therapies.
But there is so much more that we can offer to children with autism. Including Neuro-Acupuncture.
You may be wondering what Neuro-Acupuncture is and how acupuncture can help autism?
Well, here are just a few reasons:
- Strengthen cognitive function(2)
- Improve language development(3)
- Improve motor skills(1)
- Supports the development of neural pathways(2)
- Stimulates the language areas of the brain(5)
- Facilitate motor function and coordination(1)
We first need to redefine treatments for autism.
As we are not looking to “treat” or “cure” autism. What is more important is embracing each individual child with their unique traits. Only then can we ensure that they get the developmental support that they need.
Once we see your child’s needs we can attend to their specific demands.
There should not be a one size fits all model for autism treatment. The scope of acupuncture for autism is broad where we view the entire body systems as a whole.
Autism is a combination of many presentations, and not all are the same. So each treatment would be different for each child.
How does acupuncture help autism then?
Well at our clinic in South Melbourne we use a technique called Neuro-Acupuncture. Which is an integration of Western medicine and Eastern medicine to have an effect on the neurological system.
Acupuncture works through the insertion of very fine needles to create a change. By targeting the nervous system which is the master controller of the entire body, acupuncture is able to adjust the body systems(5)(6)(7)(8)(9).
Scalp acupuncture for autism
Scalp acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles along the scalp.
Scalp acupuncture for autism stimulates specific regions of the brain. By targeting the functional areas scalp acupuncture can adjust the activity in those regions.
More simply put, scalp acupuncture for autism is like rebuilding the highways so the traffic can go smoothly.
Individual treatment plans
Based on the needs of your child, we address the root and branches of their patterns. Whether it be social anxiety, communication, stimming, motor skills, or cognitive skills.
Acupuncture for autism for autism has a broad approach to be able to understand your child.
Complements other therapies
Acupuncture for autism can help your child respond better and faster to other treatments.
Neuro-Acupuncture works with other allied health therapies that your child might be undergoing. Such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology and Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3235695/
- Ming, X., Chen, X., Wang, X., Zhang, Z., Kang, V. and Zimmerman-Bier, B., 2012. Acupuncture for Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal,.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5820575/
- Lee, B., Lee, J., Cheon, J., Sung, H., Cho, S. and Chang, G., 2018. The Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, pp.1-21.
- https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13020-018-0189-6
- Yau, C., Ip, C. and Chau, Y., 2018. The therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture on natal autism and regressive autism. Chinese Medicine, 13(1).
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19123323/
- Jia SW, Sun TT, Fan R. [Visualized study on acupuncture treatment of children autism using single photon emission computed tomography]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2008;28(10):886-9.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31297171/
- Uchida, C., Waki, H., Minakawa, Y., Tamai, H., Miyazaki, S., Hisajima, T. and Imai, K., 2019. Effects of Acupuncture Sensations on Transient Heart Rate Reduction and Autonomic Nervous System Function During Acupuncture Stimulation. Medical Acupuncture, 31(3), pp.176-184.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5884333/
- Zhai, J., Mu, W., Si, J., Li, Y., Zhao, C., Shang, H., Li, H. and Tian, G., 2018. Acupuncture for constipation in patients with stroke: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 8(3), p.e020400.
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2012/615476/
- He, W., Rong, P., Li, L., Ben, H., Zhu, B. and Litscher, G., 2012. Auricular Acupuncture May Suppress Epileptic Seizures via Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System: A Hypothesis Based on Innovative Methods. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, pp.1-5.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31297171/
- Uchida, C., Waki, H., Minakawa, Y., Tamai, H., Miyazaki, S., Hisajima, T. and Imai, K., 2019. Effects of Acupuncture Sensations on Transient Heart Rate Reduction and Autonomic Nervous System Function During Acupuncture Stimulation. Medical Acupuncture, 31(3), pp.176-184.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6301307/
- Yu, W., Shi, X., Cui, X., Niu, Y., Zhang, W., Bai, X., Wang, Q., Hu, L. and Wang, S., 2018. Jian-Pi-Zhi-Dong-Decoction regulates the expression of glutamate transporters to attenuate glutamate excitotoxicity and exerts anti-tics effects in Tourette syndrome model rats. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Volume 14, pp.3381-3392.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18315511/
- Allam H, ElDine NG, Helmy G. Scalp acupuncture effect on language development in children with autism: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2008;14(2):109-14.
