- Dr. Sally Sherriff L.Ac., DAOM320 River Street
Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060831-508-0101
Pediatrics
Cough
When children get a cough, we need to pay attention to the underlying internal ecology of the body. Not every child gets all the colds and flus. There are germs floating around but whether they get sick when exposed to a germ has to do with their immune resistance. If we avoid giving children phlegm producing foods, we won’t have to worry as much about coughs, allergies and asthma etc.
It doesn’t take much for children to “catch a cold“ and begin coughing: Sierra went to a birthday party and started coughing the next day. 1/3 of Miki’s 3rd grade class was out of school with colds and coughs, following Halloween!
For nourishing our kids, we can feed them warm, nutritious, easily digested foods such as soups, broths and stews, steamed vegetables, whole grains; encourage them to play and exercise outside, go to bed early and bring them for monthly Lunar treatments!
Avoid sugar, sweets, cold, chilled or raw foods, fruit juice- even diluted juices, milk, bread, crackers, pasta, cheese or peanut butter etc. These foods create more mucus and phlegm which settles in the sinus and lungs. If there are heat signs, avoid fried, greasy or spicy foods.
What can I do to help clear my child’s cough?
- Herbal Formulas: Lung Qi Jr. (Blue Poppy herbal company) for a cough with phlegm.
- Tuina: Massage the whole back with diluted essential oils of thyme, oregano, eucalyptus and lavender.
- Cupping helps to create negative space for the lungs to clear the cough.
- Shonishin treatments to strengthen the immune system and lungs, to stop cough.
- Once a month Lunar treatments help children to avoid getting sick and clear up coughs and runny noses.
For an individualized healing program for your child and info on Lunar treatments, contact Dr. Sally Sherriff, DAOM at 831-295-6327, 320 River Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060
Click Here to Make Appointments
Colic
Colic is characterized by paroxysms of crying, apparent abdominal pain and irritability.
Prevention:
There are 3 main ways to help prevent colic:
- It is important to not overfeed the infant.
- Rub abdomen daily
- Mother should avoid certain foods which tend to be gas producing and colic aggravating such as garlic, onions, milk, legumes, beans, rhubarb, cabbage and other foods in the brassica family: broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts), tomatoes and other nightshade vegetables, chocolate, coffee and excessive amounts of fruit such as: peaches, melons and citrus fruit.
Treatment:
Helpful herbal formulas include Bao He Wan, Tummy Tamer (from KAN herbal company), or Quiet Nights (from Blue Poppy herbal company), depending on your child’s diagnosis.
Gentle therapeutic Tuina massage treatment including soothing essential oils such as: chamomile, dill, ginger, fennel and lavender can help to to balance all of baby’s organ systems.
Other treatments can include teas of catnip, chamomile, lemon balm and fennel; Rescue Remedy taken by baby and parents, digestive enzymes and probiotics given to baby or mother.
For an individualized healing program for your child and info on Lunar treatments, contact Dr. Sally Sherriff, DAOM at 831-295-6327, 320 River Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060
Click Here to Make Appointments
Cold and Flus
Your child’s health is number 1 on your mind during the cold and flu season. There are many actions we can take to insure their health. Of course nutritious foods, outside play in nature and good sleep contribute, but what happens when they come home with a runny nose or cough? That’s when we add in the Tuina massages with essential oils, the Shonishin treatments and the herbal medicinal formulas.
To keep them well, give formulas with Astragalus and medicinal mushrooms such as Immunoberry or Traditional Asian formulas like Jade Screen.
Children can take a few simple, specific supplements to maintain a strong and vital immune system during the fall and winter months when colds and flus predominate: An omega-3 fat supplement in the form of fish oil capsules, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Zinc and Vitamin C.
When they come down with a runny nose or fever, give Wind Breaker (from KAN herb company) or Children’s Ear Formula (from Golden Flower herb company). If a cough is developing, is it dry or wet? Lung Qi Jr. (from Blue Poppy heb company) is very effective for a cough with mucus.
Specific Tuina massages can help to release the virus from their body: rub their back with diluted essential oils of thyme, oregano, lavender and eucalyptus.
Cupping, Shonishin, Tuina massage and Herbal Medicine will help to keep your child well and help them to recover when they catch a cold or flu.
For an individualized healing program for your child and info on Lunar treatments, contact Dr. Sally Sherriff, DAOM at 831-295-6327, 320 River Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060
Click Here to Make Appointments
Bedwetting
Bedwetting (Enuresis)
Enuresis is defined as inappropriate or involuntary voiding during the night at an age when urinary control should be achieved.
Traditional Oriental Medicine, provides a valuable treatment for children who experience enuresis. The diagnosis is based on whether your child exhibits signs of cold or heat and deficiency or excess.
Gentle Shonishin (pediatric acupuncture) or Tuina (pediatric massage) treatments, moxabustion or infrared heating therapy are used in conjunction with herbal formulas and dietary therapy to provide a successful outcome
Special points are emphasized, such as:
- Bai Hui (DU 20) is good at reinforcing and lifting yang, to help strengthen the bladder and control urination.
- San Yin Jiao (SP 6) regulates water flow and strengthens the bladder.
- Yi Niao Dian is the Bedwetting Hand point, also called Kidney point.
- Dan Tian and Ming men to warm the kidneys and bladder.
Special Herbal Formulas are prescribed, depending on your child’s diagnosis, such as:
- Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
- Shen Ling Bai Zhu San or
- Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Dietary recommendations are given such as:
- Avoid cold and raw foods
- Eat cooked vegetables, soups and stews.
- Home treatments are taught to parents such as:
- Specific therapeutic massage techniques
- Moxibustion
For an individualized healing program for your child and info on Lunar treatments, contact Dr. Sally Sherriff, DAOM at 831-295-6327, 320 River Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060
Click Here to Make Appointments
Autism
Autism is a neurological disorder that is sweeping through the world at an alarming rate, currently affecting as many as 1 in every 40 children. In 2000, the ratio was only 1 in 150.
The medications that are currently in force to curb some of the symptoms of autism have side effects such as seizures, addiction, anxiety, hallucinations, depression, infections, paranoia, and high blood pressure, to name just a few.
Many children who are diagnosed with autism have gastrointestinal issues, indicating food sensitivities or allergies. NAET (Allergy Elimination Technique), is a safe and effective holistic technique that can make a difference for the children suffering from this devastating disorder.
To learn more about NAET please visit https://www.naet.com.
The whole family benefits:
Tuina massage, Shonishin, diet & herbal medicine recommendations can make a difference. Parents and siblings benefit by sharing these healthful lifestyle changes. creating more balance in the life of the whole family.
For an individualized healing program for your child and info on Lunar treatments, contact Dr. Sally Sherriff, DAOM at 831-295-6327, 320 River Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060
Click Here to Make Appointments