In her practice of children’s natural health care, Dr. Sturm's goal is to educate and empower parents with options that support their child’s innate potential for health and well-being. As her work focuses on the uniqueness of each child, Dr. Sturm formulates individualized treatment plans that integrate natural and gentle methods to recover balance and stimulate healing.
Dr. Sturm's natural approach is based on Chinese medicine, which has been used to treat children for centuries, with pediatrics being one of the medicine’s best specialties. It can be very effective in treating both acute and chronic conditions and is an excellent form of pediatric medicine: safe, holistic and pharmaceutical-free.
- Ten-month-old girl with cough and constipation receives herbal prescription and recovers quickly
- Four-year-old girl who vomited since birth improves with a blend of herbal remedies
- Six-year-old boy with cough and earache gets herbal prescription and recovers the next day
- Two-month-old baby with explosive diarrhea and colic recovers in a week with herbal formula
Pediatric treatments are brief, lasting only a few seconds to a few minutes. Younger children remain seated on their parent's lap.
Depending on the severity of the condition and age of the child, gentle acupuncture or acupressure and herbal medicine are used to restore health and vitality.
Diet and lifestyle are also important components in the treatment of childhood ailments and are discussed as part of every treatment.
US researchers have reviewed the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in children. They located 31 journal articles, finding evidence that a “very low risk” is associated with acupuncture in pediatrics. Additionally, based on clinical studies which investigated safety, the FDA has classified acupuncture needles as safe and effective medical devices.
Most approaches are altered to fit the needs and constitutions of children, especially those of young children and infants. For example, if acupuncture is indicated, generally only a few needles are used and then retained for just a few seconds. Acupuncture is not always the modality of choice in the treatment of children; non-needle acupuncture, acupressure and massage are used just as effectively to stimulate acupoints.
Chinese herbal medicine is also an extremely important, safe and effective therapy for children when prescribed by a professionally trained Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. It is never advisable for parents to buy Chinese herbal medicines without proper guidance by a licensed Chinese herbalist.
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A New Approach to Pediatrics
Dr. Simone Sturm specializes in the treatment of women and children. Her practice includes natural women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, labor and childbirth, postpartum care, and holistic pediatrics. She is also a certified doula and childbirth educator, providing women with safer, more natural birth options. In addition, she is one of very few holistic doctors who specialize in the treatment of children.
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Dr. Sturm brings years of clinical knowledge and experience to her practice and understands the significance of blending Eastern and Western medicine.
She completed her Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree at Five Branches University in San Jose, CA. and her Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York, NY.
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Dr. Sturm has received advanced, postgraduate training in Reproductive Health, Pregnancy, Labor and Childbirth, Postpartum Care, and Pediatric Acupuncture. She has studied with many great professors of Chinese medicine and natural health, including Mike Berkley of the renowned Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness in New York City, Debra Betts and Claudia Citkovitz.
