Give Distraction Techniques a Shot to Help Children Face Their Fear of Needles

Doctors say that many of their young patients have an intense fear of needles. Their phobia of needles often leads them to troubling tears and tantrums when they need to get a shot. The child’s fear of needles can be as difficult for the parents as it is for the child. Fortunately, researchers may have figured out how to overcome fear of needles through the use of distraction techniques.

At MD Now, we’ve seen many kids reduced to tears when they come in for their flu shots, school immunizations, and other required shots. But by using distraction techniques to take their minds off their phobia of needles, our medical professionals have been able to keep children calm while they receive the shots they need. So with flu season rapidly approaching, we encourage parents with children who have a fear of needles to get their child a flu shot at MD Now. We use a variety of distraction techniques to ease flu shot anxiety for a calmer, more comfortable injection experience.

Clinical evidence has shown that younger children from two to six years of age respond well to distractions such as music, videos, singing, and special positioning while receiving shots. And children over age six respond well to distracting techniques like guided imagery and deep breathing.

Flu season is drawing near, so expect to see more people sneezing, wheezing, and coughing as they endure the flu. Luckily, the flu shot is one of the most effective ways to protect against the flu. That’s why medical experts recommend that everyone six months of age and older receive a flu shot unless they have certain medical reasons to avoid them.

But shots are never easy when a child has a phobia of needles. This leaves many parents wondering how to overcome fear of needles to make their children’s shots more pleasant. At MD Now, we’ve learned that using distraction techniques can make getting a shot a pleasure instead of a pain for a child. That’s why we encourage parents of children with a phobia of needles to get their flu shots and other injections at their nearest MD Now.

MD Now is Your Source for the Highest-Quality Care

Discover the caring, convenient, and cost-efficient treatment that can always be found at MD Now. All of our locations operate on a walk-in, no-appointment basis with hours to conveniently suit your schedule. With 26 locations throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, quality care is always within your reach. For the Florida locations nearest you, visit https://www.mymdnow.com/locations.

To learn more about our urgent care centers, visit www.MDNow.com.

MD Now^® Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers is the leading provider of fast and affordable urgent care to adults and children in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Our state-of-the-art, walk-in medical centers are open seven days a week to deliver an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. No appointment is necessary and major insurance plans are accepted. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of urgent care services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, our multiple locations offer digital x-rays, EKG, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, vaccines, occupational medicine, travel medicine and selected primary care services. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at MD Now. Online: www.MDNow.com.