As parents, we only want what’s best for our children, especially when it comes to their health and wellbeing. We offer the best possible source of nutrition and nurture them from day 1. We do what we can to make sure they are protected from various illnesses. We would do everything to just make them feel better especially when things go out of control and they get sick,
But what if everything you’ve done seems not enough to keep your child healthy and happy? Do you sometimes feel lacking in your care giving? You may begin to wonder- what is it that I’m doing wrong?
Believe it or not, I’ve been there!
I understand that you’re troubled, or even feeling helpless about your child’s health condition. But don’t worry. It really is not your fault.
At some point, you simply need to recognize that these health problems tend to arise from an internal imbalance of your child’s body. Perhaps, something that has been concealed and has been waiting to be addressed for a long time.
If your search for solutions has not given you the results you would like to see, it might be time to go back to square one and start over. You can best do that by uncovering your child’s internal imbalances, to start inner healing.
So what are these imbalances and how can they affect your child’s overall health? Stay with me and learn more about these crucial factors. Who knows, you might end up taking a leap towards your child’s true and lasting healing.
What is an internal imbalance and how does it affect your child?
In Western medicine, it is believed that our body has a unique system that makes sure every cell operates within a narrow range to maintain a state of balance called homeostasis. Any disturbances in this delicate balance may lead to health problems.
Hormonal imbalances can be a good example of a disturbed internal balance. In this case, an imbalance in the hormone levels leads to certain symptoms. Therefore, an intervention would also be required to bring the hormones back into their normal range.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a similar principle applies, but it has, however, a more holistic approach when it comes to your child’s imbalances. TCM believes in its founding concept that a vital force of life, called Qi, surges through the body.
Qi is maintained through a delicate balance of the two opposing and complementary forces termed the yin and yang. An optimal balance between the yin and yang means health. On the contrary, an imbalance of these forces can lead to health issues. Restoring this balance is the key to good health, not only physically, but as a whole.
Why a child’s body goes out of balance easily
Have you noticed that children are more prone to catching infections during the first few years of their lives?
In TCM, children are recognized for their immaturity, with organs and body systems that are yet to develop. Their rapid growth during their first few years requires a tremendous amount of Qi, or in other words nutrients, which is vital for them to grow into healthy adults. Young children are also in a state where they would want to explore and learn new things, which explains the tons of energy they need to spend every day.
As a result, children are also more vulnerable to internal imbalances. The digestive and respiratory systems are affected the most. Here is why:
The digestive and respiratory systems are the main systems responsible for the production of Qi. However in children, the digestive system, where the Qi originates, is often in a state of deficiency.
Babies are born with an immature digestive system, which only achieves full maturity by the age of 7. Many of the health problems among children are centered on the weakness of their stomach and other digestive organs. Therefore, children this age are vulnerable to indigestion and gastrointestinal infections.
The most important factor to consider is that a child’s digestive system plays a major role in their immunity and it all begins during infancy.
Have you ever wondered why breast milk is full of antibodies from the mother or why infant formulas strive to improve their prebiotic and probiotic content? Yes, you guessed that right – that is all in an effort to strengthen the baby’s digestive system, which is among the first line of defenses against diseases.
As children grow, they will gain more maturity in their digestive system, which typically would strengthen their immunity against illnesses. Would this mean they would be less likely to catch an infection or outgrow their childhood health issues? Most probably yes!
However, sad to say, it is not usually what’s happening for many children out there. In many cases, the digestive problems persist. This is mainly because of poor nutrition during their childhood years. If the imbalance in the digestive system remains unresolved, this can result in repeated difficulties as they grow such as lack of appetite, constipation, food sensitivities, and abdominal pain.
A lot of pediatric health issues are rooted in an imbalance in the digestive system.
Being the core of Qi, a well-balanced digestive system is vital to good health. Children who suffer from imbalances in their digestive system are more likely to catch recurrent childhood illnesses.
For instance, allergic conditions like eczema or asthma can be triggered by food that a child is allergic to. If a child’s digestive defenses are weak, it could also lead to the repetitive occurrence of colds, complicated by ear infections, infected sinuses, bronchitis, or throat infections.
How to help a child out of balance
As you see, children are so vulnerable to imbalances that they can easily interfere with their daily activities and family life. But wait, the good news is that their young bodies can also heal pretty quickly!
Using various healing modalities like diet, acupuncture, acupressure, massages and herbal remedies, these imbalances can be addressed in root as well as in presentation, and from there, deep inner healing can finally be achieved for your child.
However, in order to implement these healing techniques more effectively, proper assessment of the child’s condition is essential.
The first step in restoring wellness is to identify the needs and problems that are specific to your child. From there, an individualized healing plan can be formulated and implemented.
In my practice as a holistic pediatric health coach and daily work with children, I like to categorize my little patients according to their imbalances into three unlocking Balance Archetypes:
Bundle of Joy
The bundle of joy is typically where healthy children belong. This category describes children who might have imbalances that are naturally occurring as kids grow up. These children grow within the normal developmental patterns for their age, but may experience occasional health problems which come and go. These imbalances may be bothersome, but not severe enough to disrupt their family life.
Tired Adventurer
The tired adventurer is a category that describes healthy children who face returning episodes of health issues due to natural physical imbalance. Although considered a normal part of their growth and development, these imbalances get more pronounced and pretty constant in their daily routine such that they can significantly disrupt the child’s family life.
Wounded Warrior
The wounded warrior is the category for children whose bodies are truly out of balance, meaning their health needs to improve as quickly as possible. These children have natural imbalances that are so severe that they already make them ill. Due to their health problems, children belonging to this category can’t keep up with their normal developmental patterns. The imbalances are so pronounced that it already disrupts their family life.
>> Find out your child’s Balance Archetype HERE!
Through these categories, I can formulate a holistic care plan that specifically fits the imbalances or problems of the child.
Whether you’re a parent of a “Bundle of Joy,” “Tired Adventurer,” or “Wounded Warrior,” it is important not to lose hope. Our bodies are amazing and are designed to heal themselves – with the right help.
Closing Words
Do you feel like your child suffers from an imbalance?
As a parent, I understand how difficult it is to simply sit back when we know that our children are not in their best state of health. This is why I formulated a free assessment tool to help give you an overview of your child’s present condition.
If you’re now wondering if your child is a “Bundle of Joy,” “Tired Adventurer,” or “Wounded Warrior,” go ahead and take the free Pediatric Body Balance Assessment. After taking it, you’ll receive a beautiful pdf guide to offer more clarity as well as 3 simple actions you can take to start rebalancing your child’s body and start inner healing today.
Remember, we can only have the right solutions if we recognize the real root of the problem. Uncover your child’s imbalances as it is the key to true and lasting healing.
xx Bettina ?
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559138/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/chinese-medicine
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