"Complementary Approaches to Optimize Growth & Development in Growing Children with Auriculotherapy and Homeopathy" PART 1:

DISCLAIMER

Supporting Natural Growth in Children – The Holistic Way!

Growth in children is influenced by multiple factors — nutrition, physical activity, sleep, genetics, and overall well-being.

In my clinic, I support growth and development through an integrative approach:

Balanced diet rich in calcium, protein, and micronutrients

Simple height-supportive exercises, yoga, and posture correction

Homeopathy as a supportive tool in improving digestion, immunity, and correction of constitution.

Auriculotherapy to stimulate natural growth response and endocrine balance

These methods are supportive and aim to assist natural growth processes — especially when started early. I always encourage a holistic, non-invasive, child-friendly approach. Results vary from child to child and depend on many individual factors.

"The therapies mentioned are used in a supportive capacity and are not a replacement for pediatric consultation when needed. No guaranteed results are claimed. This post is shared for educational purposes in line with ethical guidelines issued by the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act and National Medical Commission (NMC)."

Let’s review the factors affecting the growth and development wrt height of a human being based on medical and biological relevance.

WHERE IT HAPPENS:

Long Bones:

The long bones in the arms (like the humerus, radius, and ulna) and legs (like the femur, tibia, and fibula) are the main contributors to height increase because they have growth plates that allow for lengthening.

Other Bones:

While long bones are the primary source of height increase, other bones like the vertebrae in the spine also contribute to overall height.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASE IN HEIGHT:

Apart from genetics and family history -

Nutrition (will be discussed further in part 2)

Protein, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and iron are critical during growth phases.

Malnutrition during childhood (especially first 5 years) can lead to stunting and growth issues.

Hormonal Factors

Growth Hormone (GH): Essential for longitudinal bone growth.

Thyroid hormones: Deficiency (e.g. congenital hypothyroidism) causes growth retardation.

Estrogen/Testosterone: Promote pubertal growth spurt and epiphyseal closure.

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1): Mediates effects of GH.

Chronic Illness

Delayed or Abnormal Puberty: Chronic illnesses can disrupt the normal timing and progression of puberty, which is a crucial period for growth. Delayed puberty can lead to a shorter growth spurt and reduced adult height.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Some chronic conditions can affect appetite, nutrient absorption, or lead to increased nutritional needs, causing malnutrition and hindering growth.

Medication Side Effects: Certain medications used to treat chronic illnesses, like glucocorticoids, can also affect growth.

Disrupted Growth Hormone Axis: Chronic illnesses can interfere with the hormones and pathways that regulate growth.

Physical Activity/Exercise (will be discussed further in part 2)

Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing activities, stimulates GH secretion.

Sedentary lifestyle may negatively impact height during growth phase.

Sleep

Growth hormone secretion is pulsatile and maximal during deep sleep.

Poor sleep quality or sleep deprivation during childhood affects growth.

Psychosocial Stress

Severe emotional neglect, psychological stress, emotional deprivation, and psychosocial factors can cause stunted growth.

ROCKET SCIENCE (HOW, WHY, WHAT):

Growth Plates: Epiphyseal plates are made of cartilage and are located at the ends of long bones like the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone).

Endochondral Ossification: Bone growth in length occurs through a process called endochondral ossification, where cartilage is replaced by bone.

Chondrocytes: Specialized cartilage cells called chondrocytes in the growth plate divide, mature, and eventually become bone, leading to bone lengthening.

Growth Hormone and Other Factors: Growth hormone, along with other hormones like insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), plays a crucial role in stimulating growth plate activity and overall bone growth.

Epiphyseal Fusion: As puberty progresses, the growth plates gradually close, a process called epiphyseal fusion. This is influenced by hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Limited Height Increase After Closure: Once the growth plates are completely fused, further significant height increase is generally not possible.

Will review role of nutrition, exercise, auriculotherapy with homoeopathy in the next article (PART 2).