Acupuncture for Kids? Meet the Practitioner Making It Possible

Catherine Herbin, MS, LAc, is trained in in East Asian Medicine as an acupuncturist and an herbalist. She is a family practitioner, working with children, adolescents, and adults to support whole-person health. 

Catherine provides personalized acutherapy treatments to children and adolescents through the lens of integrative East Asian Medicine. She uses acutherapy—a combination of acupuncture and acupressure—as well as other components of East Asian Medicine such as guided meditation, breathing exercise, and qigong. 

"People always ask me, 'Acupuncture on kids? How does that work?' A lot of young people have medical trauma from needles, so gaining trust is key. We decide together what the best approach is for that day," said Catherine. Sometimes she administers what she calls "tappers," extremely fine acupuncture needles. Sometimes the treatment involves acupressure or shonishin, a traditional Japanese needle-free therapy. 

"My goal is to provide young people with a safe space to rest without devices and experience the wisdom of East Asian Medicine. They usually leave the sessions looking more relaxed and I can tell they feel empowered with new tools to support their own wellness."

Catherine begins her treatment with conversations about the origins of the medicine and its connection to nature. There are five elements in East Asian Medicine—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—and Catherine spends time discussing which element they align with based on their physical symptoms and character.

"From there, we build a roadmap for lifestyle recommendations," said Catherine. "Many kids find it fun and empowering to learn about themselves in this context, which highlights their superpowers and connects them to something greater."

Catherine is experienced working with young people with various health challenges, including acute and chronic pain, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, menstrual disorders, and digestive issues. She also specializes in acutherapy to help manage side effects of cancer treatment.

Catherine also enjoys working with the parents of her pediatric patients. “There is a proverb in East Asian Medicine, ‘If you want to treat the child, treat the caregiver,’” said Catherine. “Working with families gives me a unique perspective as a clinician and is an opportunity for family healing.” Catherine hopes to expand her practice to include group medical visits for families in the future.  

To make an appointment for your child, ask their doctor for a referral to our clinic. Learn more about Catherine's practice and approach here.