PART 2: "Complementary Approaches to Optimize Growth & Development in Growing Children with Auriculotherapy and Homeopathy "

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

PART 2:

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 like skipping, 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)."

In this second part we will review the role of nutrition, exercise, auriculotherapy with homoeopathy.

NUTRITION: As mentioned in part 1, Protein, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and iron are critical during growth phases. Let’s take a bird’s eye view on the vegetarian protein sources since there is always confusion regarding this issue. Non-vegetarians have chicken, fish, eggs, etc. as regular food choices to get their complete protein.

✅ Vegetarian Sources of Complete Protein:
Soybeans and soy products (tofu, tempeh, soy milk): Contains all 9 essential AAs
Amaranth (Rajgira): Rich in lysine & methionine
Chia seeds: Contains complete protein + omega-3
Wheatgrass/Moringa: Contains some protein and micronutrients
Dairy products (milk, curd, paneer) Casein and whey are complete proteins.

Incomplete Protein? → Combine to Complete
Many traditional Indian vegetarian staples (dals like moong, chana, tur, rajma, urad; grains, cereals, millets like wheat, ragi, jowar, bajra, oats, brown rice are incomplete proteins, but become complete when combined properly:
Combination (Amino Acids Complemented)
Dal + Rice (pulses + cereal): Methionine from rice complements lysine from dal
Rajma/Chana + Roti: Similar complementation
Khichdi (moong + rice): Balanced and easy to digest
Peanut + Poha or Upma or Chutney + Idli/dosa/uttappa: Common and well-liked Indian recipes.

Clinical Relevance:
• For children with growth concerns, vegetarian child athletes these combinations are critical to meet daily protein and amino acid requirements.
• Ensure calcium, zinc, vitamin-D, vitamin B12 and iron supplementation if found deficient. Supplementation of other micronutrients needed as per the case requirements.

EXERCISE: Plays a crucial role and must be promoted.
Safe Weight-Bearing Activities for Children:
Activity with Benefits and Notes -
Walking (brisk pace): Low-impact bone loading. Daily walks are simple and effective.
Running or Jogging: Stimulates GH release. Ensure proper footwear to prevent injuries.
Skipping Rope: High-impact; improves coordination and bone strength. Keep short durations initially.
Climbing stairs: Excellent lower limb strength. Can be easily integrated into daily routine.
Jumping (on ground or trampoline): High bone loading on legs. Trampoline use under strict supervision.
Dancing (esp. folk or aerobic styles): Combines rhythm, movement, and bone loading. Fun and engaging for children.
Playing outdoor games (e.g., cricket, football, volleyball, hockey, kho-kho, kabaddi): Combines weight-bearing and cardio. Very relevant for physical and mental development.
Martial arts (e.g., karate, taekwondo): Enhances flexibility, balance, and bone stress. Needs professional instruction and supervision.
Gymnastics (basic levels): Excellent for posture and bone loading. Should be age-appropriate.
Yoga (with postures like Vrikshasana, Tadasana): Improves posture, stretches spine. Under supervision and guidance.

Activities NOT Considered Weight-Bearing:
• Swimming (great for cardio, but non-weight-bearing)
• Cycling (minimal vertical bone loading)
• Watching TV or mobile gaming (sedentary)

Important Pediatric Considerations:
• Children should exercise at least 60 minutes/day (as per WHO guidelines).
• Avoid overtraining, especially in prepubertal age, to prevent growth plate injuries.
• Encourage hydration, nutrition, and sleep to support the effects of physical activity.

ROLE OF AURICULOTHERAPY:
Auricular therapy is a form of reflex therapy where the external ear (auricle) is stimulated using acupressure, electrical stimulation, or seeds. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on the principles of acupuncture, the ear reflects a microsystem of the entire body.
It has no side-effects.
Can be given with any conventional line of treatment (allopathy, homoeopathy, ayurvedic) since it does not interfere with any medicine.

Basis for Height Increase - In children and adolescents, auricular therapy is believed to support:
• Stimulation of pituitary gland → optimal growth hormone (GH) secretion.
• Regulation of endocrine system.
• Improvement in appetite, sleep, and nutrient absorption, indirectly promoting growth.
• Modulation of musculoskeletal balance and spinal posture.

ROLE OF HOMOEOPATHY:
Believes in an individual and constitutional approach in treating any condition.
Helps in removing the underlying constitutional defect.
Improves digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients. Improves immunity against frequent infections.
Improves overall well-being mentally and physically without side-effects.
Very effective in treating stress related disorders (yes, children too are stressed and the symptoms are often hidden).
Thus, it addresses many underlying causes which can be a hinderance to normal growth and development in children.

Please visit clinic or DM me for further queries.

"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).

Calendula: The Homoeopathic Antiseptic

One of the best healing agents, applied locally.

Useful for burns, open wounds, cuts, lacerations, non-healing wounds. Prevents pus formation. 

Helps in aborting an abscess, else favors maturing and ultimate healing.

Very useful for cradle-cap and nappy rash in babies.

It is very good for dry, irritated, sensitive skin.

According to Dr. James Tyler Kent, Calendula is all the dressing you will need for open wounds and severe lacerations. It takes away the local pain and suffering.

The articles discussed herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Each individual is different and will react differently to various vitamin and mineral supplements as per his/her body requirements. This information is not meant to replace any physician’s consultation. This information should in no way replace your family physician’s advice.

 

Homoeopathy - How to Describe Skin Symptoms

A large number of patients seek homoeopathic treatment for skin ailments. These questions will help them to observe the symptoms and give an accurate description to the physician while case taking.

This includes all eruptions, pimples, sores, abscesses, ulcers, carbuncles, boils, warts, abnormal growths, and tumors as these are all amenable to the homoeopathic internal treatment.

Consult Sections Homoeopathy and Sensations,

                            Homoeopathy - Symptoms Better or Worse By

                            HOMOEOPATHY AND PAIN

                            Homoeopathy - How to describe Discharges of all kinds

1.      Does the skin heal readily after an injury ?

2.      Any roughness, cracks, sores from washing or cold weather ?

3.      Are you subject to skin diseases, and for how long ?

4.      Have any of your near relatives been troubled in the same way, or with any other skin 

       trouble ?

5.      Have you been vaccinated ?

6.      Was there any side effect ?

7.      Have you suffered from symptoms of eruptions with itching ?

8.      What treatment was used for it ?

9.      Have you had measles, scarlet fever, chicken pox, mumps, or other similar diseases, and how did you get along during the sickness and afterwards ?

10.  Have you ever had a surgical operation for the removal of tumors, abnormal growth, warts, etc. ?

11.  Do you have problems with your nails ?

12.  Ingrowing toe nails ?

13.  Have you foul, sweaty feet ? (See Homoeopathy - How to describe Discharges of all kinds)

14.  How long has the skin trouble been present ?

15.  How did it first start ?

16.  Is the trouble sensitive to touch or pressure ?

17.  Give the exact location of places affected.

18.  Has the trouble been treated by local applications ?

19.  Has any skin disease ever been suppressed or apparently cured by local applications ?

20.  If so, what and when ?

21.  What does the disease or ulcer or skin-sore look like ?

22.  What is the appearance of the skin around the sore or under the sore ?

23.  Is there any itching of the sore ?

24.  What is the effect of scratching - better or worse by it ?

25.  Any scabs ?

26.  What is the appearance and general form of the scabs ?

27.  Any matter under scabs ? (See Homoeopathy - How to describe Discharges of all kinds)

28.  Describe any discharge from the sores as in Section Homoeopathy - How to describe Discharges of all kinds.

29.  Describe pain as in Section Homoeopathy And Pain.

30.  Any roughness of the skin ?

31.  In what way is the skin different from healthy skin ?

32.  Is there itching of the skin ? (Refer to Section Homoeopathy - Symptoms Better or Worse By)

Give location, color and character of any spots or blotches on the skin, whether very small or large.

Give location, color and appearance of moles or warts.

33.  What is the location, color, size, shape and appearance of any swelling ?

34.  Any sensations on skin as itching, burning, pinching, crawling of insects or bugs, stinging or anything else ? 

See Sections Homoeopathy and Sensations and Homoeopathy - Symptoms Better or Worse By

35.  Is the skin oily, shining, scaly ?

36.  What is the color of the skin ?

37.  Is the color natural or after any disease ?

Describe pimples, little blisters, etc., as to location, size, contents, appearance, etc.

Describe corns and bunions as to appearance, location and pain as in Section Homoeopathy And Pain.

Reference: What the doctor needs to know in order to make a successful prescription by Dr. James Tyler Kent

Homoeopathy: Details Related To Eating and Drinking

Food habits play an important role in causing, aggravating and relieving your symptoms. Carefully observe your food habits and describe your symptoms by using these questions mentioned below.

1.      Have you a craving for any special article of food ? (Not merely a desire, but a feeling that you must have it.)

2.      Any aversion to any special article of food ?

3.      Name the article in either case.

4.      Are you hungry much of the time or at any special time ?

5.      Is the hunger or craving for food excessive ?

6.      Have you no desire for food ?

7.      Do you have hunger with aversion to eating ?

8.      Do you eat without hunger ?

9.      Does the food taste good ?

10.  Has the food a natural taste ?

11.  How do you feel before eating ?

12.  Have you any bad effect from eating much or little ?

13.  Do you desire little or much food at a time ?

14.  Is there any special food that disagrees ?

15.  Do you desire solid or liquid food ?

16.  Do you crave for something but you don't know for exactly what ?

17.  Do you crave substantial food or dainties, candy, cakes, sweet things, sour things, etc., etc.

18.  Is the appetite even or variable ?

19.  Does food satisfy you ?

20.  Any trouble that always comes on after eating all you want, or after a little food ?

21.  Do you eat hastily or slowly ?

22.  Do you have sick stomach or vomiting after eating ?

23.  Does eating aggravate other complaints ?

24.  Are you sleepy after eating ?

25.  Have you pain anywhere after eating ? (See HOMOEOPATHY AND PAIN)

26.  Do you suddenly lose your appetite for food while eating, or at any time ?

27.  Are you very thirsty or thirstless ?

28.  Do you wish to drink often or seldom ?

29.  Do you want to drink much at a time, or little ?

30.  What effect has drinking on you ?

31.  Any trouble that always comes on after drinking ?

32.  Do you crave any special drink ?

33.  Do you wish hot or cold, or ice cold drinks ?

34.  Do you feel badly after drinking ?

35.  Does drinking satisfy you ?

36.  Do you use tea or coffee ?

37.  How much ?

38.  Do you use alcoholic or other liquors ?

39.  Do you use much milk ?

40.  Does milk agree ?

41.  Do you have sick stomach or vomiting after drinking ?

42.  Does drinking aggravate other complaints ?

43.  How does water, or other drinks, taste ?

Reference: What the doctor needs to know in order to make a successful prescription by Dr. James Tyler Kent