The Panda Clinic is an acupuncture centre created by Rebecca Avern specifically for the treatment of children. Rebecca has extensive experience and
post-graduate training in paediatric acupuncture.
Acupuncture is an effective, gentle and safe treatment for babies and children of all ages. It can be used in cases of both acute and chronic illness.
There are many challenges involved in being a child. While some children seem to sail through life, others need a little more help and support at certain times. At the Panda
Clinic, every child is treated as an individual. My approach is always
compassionate, empathetic and practical.
For parents of patients
History of Paediatric Acupuncture
The treatment of children has formed a specialised subject in Chinese medicine since the Song dynasty, which was over 1000 years ago. Chinese doctors recognised the differences between children and adults in diagnosis and treatment, and skillfully adapted their methods to the treatment of children.
Acupuncture for children today
Children today have very different lifestyles to those of the Song dynasty. They have different stresses and strains on their systems and even many of the diseases they suffer from would not have been heard of 1000 years ago. So, even though paediatric acupuncture is rooted in this long tradition, it has been adapted to meet the needs of children in the 21st century.
Some people are surprised that acupuncture is an appropriate treatment for children. To find out about what you and your child may expect during a typical treatment, please click here.
About Rebecca Avern
BA (Hons), Lic Ac, Dip Paed Ac, MBAcC
Acupuncture Training
Initial training
Licentiate in Acupuncture from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine: a three and half year course from which I graduated in 2001.
Further training
Four years studying with and working alongside the late Giovanni Maciocia (one of the most eminent doctors of Chinese medicine in the West): I assisted him in the writing of a major text book for acupuncture students – Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine.
Paediatric training
Diploma in Paediatric Acupuncture (2012): I am one of only a small number of acupuncturists in the UK who have done post-graduate training in paediatric acupuncture with Julian Scott, author of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Children. Julian is known worldwide as the leading expert in paediatric acupuncture, and I spent a year studying with him to Diploma level.
Training in paediatric tui na (2012): with Dr Hongchun Yin (specialist from the Shangdong University of TCM)
Training in Japanese paediatric acupuncture techniques (shonishin) (2013): with Stephen Birch (author of Shonishin: Japanese Paediatric Acupuncture).
Professional responsibilities
- Long-standing senior faculty member of the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine (www.acupuncturecollege.org), which is one of the most highly-renowned acupuncture colleges in Europe
- Guest lecturer on paediatrics at the Northern College of Acupuncture (https://nca.ac.uk) and The Traditional Acupuncture Academy (https://www.theacupunctureacademy.org.uk)
- Guest lecturer at a variety of international acupuncture institutions
- Founder of the Hub of Paediatric Acupuncture (www.paediatricacupuncture.co.uk)
- Founder and clinician at The Little Acupuncture Room – a community, affordable acupuncture clinic for children in Oxford and the surrounding area (www.thelittlehealthhub.com)
Professional practice
I have run busy acupuncture practices since 2001. My practice is now solely focussed on treating children. I set up the Panda Clinic, an acupuncture clinic for the treatment of babies, children and teenagers, in Oxford in 2012. I also founded and work at an affordable acupuncture clinic for children in Oxford.
Writing
I am the author two books:
- a textbook on paediatric acupuncture Acupuncture for Babies, Children and Teenagers (Singing Dragon 2018),
- a book for parents and practitioners Chinese Medicine for Childhood Anixety and Depression (Singing Dragon 2021)
- Several journal articles. Please see My Books for further details.
Personal
I have two secondary-school age children (Alathea and Leyla) and this hugely informs how I approach the treatment of children. I care deeply about children’s health. I believe that imbalances in a child’s qi corrected early on in life can mean a person avoids a lifetime of ill-health. A healthy child is usually a happy child, and is more able to enjoy life and achieve their potential.
As a parent, I also understand the strain it puts on the entire family when a child is not well. Helping a child back to health not only benefits them, but everybody around them too.