HOLISTIC PEDIATRICS: Alternative Medicine Gaining Popularity in Pediatrics

Naturopathic physicians in Washington state report having more and more pediatric patients, said an article in Health Day. Interestingly, most of the pediatric patients seen were younger than two years old, and went in for regular monthly immunizations.

Though one-third of the visits were for overall health maintenance, there were plenty of health issues familiar to all of us parents which were being treated strictly through alternative medicine. Conditions most often seen in pediatric naturopathy practice were allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems, gastrointestinal problems, and treatment of infectious diseases.

Washington state is one of 15 U.S. states and two U.S. territories that require licensing for naturopathic physicians. The article claims that licensing and dialogue between naturopathic practitioners and conventional pediatricians is one reason for its rise in reports of its use in pediatric care.

Those interested in complementing or improving their children's healthcare may want to check out the Holistic Pediatric Association's website. Look for Jane Sheppard's articles, Executive Director of the Holistic Pediatric Association and editor and publisher of Healthy Child Online, who is a parent educator, and the author of Super Healthy Kids.

Another valuable resource for parents is Naturopathic Pediatric Essentials by Dr. Susan M. Roberts, ND. The book is a quick reference for all practitioners who treat kids. It discusses the conditions listed above including behavioral problems and how to spot child abuse.