You may be wondering, “What is Holistic Pediatrics all about and Is it for MY child?”
As a busy parent myself, I know you probably don't have a ton of extra reading time, so I here's the nutshell version of who I am and what I do:
Me summarized: …(For a more flowery bio you can read more here.)
- I am a holistic pediatric practitioner, licensed in Chinese medicine with the California Acupuncture Board and the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.)
- I am an acupuncturist, but that doesn't mean I plan to stick your kid with needles. (Let's face it, most of them don't love the idea… see below for what I do do with kids.)
- I work with adults as well as kids, but grown-ups get acupuncture.
Who are my patients?
My pediatric practice ranges from well visits for babies to stress management sessions for busy teens. I see everything from the common cold and nagging coughs to management of chronic conditions such as eczema and autism spectrum disorders. The families that are drawn to my practice generally are looking for something different than your standard in-and-out doctor's office visits. I take the time to get to know you, your child, and your family. Our treatment plans are based on what will work best for your child, address the root of the issue as well as the symptoms, and resonate with you, the parent.
What I do for kids
- I will apply the knowledge and wisdom from Chinese, holistic, and conventional medicines balanced with the preferences of your family to come up with the best treatment for your child.
- The tools I use the most are nutritional counseling, Chinese herbs, homeopathy, supplements, flower essences, shonishin (Japanese needle-less technique akin to acupuncture), Tui-na (Chinese therapeutic massage), and my stethoscope and otoscope.
- Like your pediatrician, I can do your child's wellness visits where I will weigh, measure, and examine your child. We will discuss any upcoming milestones or concerns. You can see me more or less often than that based on your child's needs.
- Unlike most pediatricians, I will spend lots of time talking to you and answering all of your questions. Our first visit is one hour, and after that I am available to answer most questions via email. Follow-up visits are a typically a half hour.
Just a few of the kids' ailments I treat:
- Colds and flu, cough, sniffles and sore throats
- Belly aches from colic, constipation, diarrhea
- Food sensitivity and nutritional concerns
- Eczema, acne, and other skin conditions
- Attention, social, and cognitive disorders
- Insomnia and related sleep issues, bedwetting
- Ear aches/infections
- Teething pain
- Asthma and allergies
- Weakened immune system
- Headaches and migraines
What I'm not:
- I am not a physician.
- I do not administer vaccines, antibiotics or prescription medications.
- I do not have hospital privileges or address acute emergency issues (such as a broken arm). For these, I suggest that you have at least a basic relationship with a pediatrician and know where your nearest urgent care facility is located. If you don't have a pediatrician, I can help you find one that is a good match.
Can't Get to West LA?
While I'd prefer to sit down with you and your child in person, it just might not be possible for you to get to my office. Luckily the cyber age has ways of bringing us closer.
In addition to in-office visits in my West Los Angeles office, I also offer pediatric consultations via Skype or a combination of email and phone to provide me with the necessary information I need to develop a treatment plan for your child.
Pediatric services
Initial Consultation via phone or email
We start with a brief (10-15 minute) phone or email conversation where you can ask questions and I can l determine the nature of your child's condition and/or health goals and whether the distance treatment is appropriate. At the end of this consultation, if I think I can help you we will schedule a Pediatric Case Review. Cost: No Charge.
Pediatric case review
In office or via Skype or Phone
In office visits will include a full physical exam and hands-on treatment when appropriate.
To qualify for the distance Pediatric Case Review, you must be under the care of a practitioner (MD, DO, LAc, NP, DC, or other) who sees your child in person for their regular pediatric check ups – OR alternatively – see me for the Pediatric Case Review in-office and use the distance appointments for follow-up. I will review any documents and photographs you have sent me prior to this appointment. Distance patients will gather info such as height and weight before the initial appointment.
I take the time to thoroughly answer all of your questions; once your child is a patient in my care, you don't have to wait until your next appointment… The Pediatric Case Review includes unlimited follow-up emails requiring less than 10 minutes to read and respond.
Cost: $375
Follow-up appointments
In person, via Skype, phone, or email.
Emails that require more than 10 minutes to read and respond will be billed at my hourly rate, in 15 minute increments, but we will discuss this together before this occurs.)
Cost: $60/half hour, $35/ for 15 minutes.
Comprehensive care package (CCP)
In this monthly plan I guide you in implementing the recommendations I made during the initial consultation. It includes:
- Unlimited pediatric follow-up visits in my office (ideal for a child needing regular bodywork, acupuncture, or shonishin).
- Unlimited email support.
- Weekly email check-ins to answer questions and get progress updates.
- A monthly re-evaluation to review treatment goals and make adjustments (by Skype, phone, or in-office).
- A 20% discount on all supplements.
All office visits, phone calls, and emails are provided for a single fee. Paying in advance for treatment serves three purposes:
- First, handling money up-front allows you to focus on what matters most: your child's health.
- Second, it creates a powerful commitment to care, which in turn brings better results.
- Third, because pre-payment reduces overhead, it enables me to give you a significant discount on fees. This saves you money over the long-term and is often significantly cheaper than working with me on an hourly basis.
Comprehensive Care Plans typically last between 3 months and several years, depending upon the scope and severity of your child's condition. We decide the length of the plan together, and the fee is automatically billed monthly. You can cancel and switch to hourly appointments anytime (effective at the end of the month).
Cost: $300 per month, billed monthly