Trichotillomania

[Tina Chin-Kaplan]

Hi all,

Has anyone had experience treating hair pulling in peds?  I've only treated adults with this.

Background on pt (from what I know from the mother)-  10yo female, ongoing trich for a few years.  There were some marital challenges after husband/father had AVM but family seems stable now. Medication is not helping so the daughter is open to trying acupuncture.

Thanks in advance,

-tina

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Tina Chin-Kaplan, M.S., L.Ac.
www.needlesandtea.com

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[Efrem Korngold]

Hi Tina,

To me, this sounds similar to a Tic disorder, which is characteristic of poor interaction between Lung and Liver and maybe Lung and Heart. Anyway, the formula that fits this dynamic is Metal Worker. Pulling hair from the scalp may also be a sign of Heat uprising along the Liver and Gallbladder channels to the top of the head around Du 20. Pulling out the hair relieves that feeling of Heat or congestion and allows some of that Heat to escape through the pores/holes where the hairs used to be. So not only eliminating Heat is indicated, but also grounding the Yin Kidney and Lung, claiming the Heart and releasing the pent up Qi (emotions from the Liver).

Acupuncture points that come to mind are Li 2, GB 20, GB 24, LI 11, LI 4, Pe 8, Du 20, Ki 1 or 3. All shallow insertion with the thinnest needles you are comfortable using. Of course, you don’t need to needle all these points. Just pick one or two each time.

Efrem

[Tina Chin-Kaplan]

Thanks so much Efrem.  I'll let you know how it goes!

[Stephen Cowan]

Tina, acu can be very effective for this....I've treated a number of kids with hair loss due to this....important to note where she is pulling...that may be a guide to the channels you choose....often local and distal GB points are important. 

herbs to comfort shen, meditation and of course investigating the family disharmonies are key to the success of treatment. 

often these are children who are holding back expressing their feelings of insecurity and turn in instead into self-mutilation...similar to cutting....for many children who pull their hair, it is an amplified impulse left over from when they pulled their hair during feeding as infants....comfort-endorphin release.....

steve

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Stephen Cowan MD, FAAP

Author of Fire Child Water Child

491 Lexington Ave.

Mt Kisco, NY, 10549

Tournesol Wellness Center

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New York, NY 10016

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www.stephencowanmd.com

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