Childhood fever, characterized by elevated body temperature, can be caused by various diseases and can generally be divided into three categories: external pathogenic fever, lung-stomach heat, and yin deficiency internal heat. In addition to colds, external pathogenic fever can also be seen in the early stages of acute infectious diseases. Let me teach you the massage therapy for childhood external pathogenic fever.
Causes and Symptoms of Childhood External Pathogenic Fever
Cause: Children have delicate organs, thin skin, and weak defensive qi. Therefore, when there is a sudden change in weather, abnormal cold or heat, or inadequate care, external pathogens can easily invade the muscles and skin, causing the defensive yang qi to stagnate and resulting in fever.
Clinical manifestations: In cases of cold, there is severe aversion to cold, mild fever, no sweating, headache, stuffy nose, clear nasal discharge, sneezing, itchy throat, thin white coating, floating pulse, and bright red fingerprints. In cases of wind-heat, there is severe fever, aversion to wind, mild chills, dry mouth, sore throat, yellow nasal discharge, thin yellow coating, rapid pulse, and red or purple fingerprints.
Massage Prescription for Childhood External Pathogenic Fever
Treatment principles: For wind-cold, induce sweating to expel the pathogen and promote the flow of defensive yang qi. For wind-heat, clear heat, expel the pathogen, and promote lung function and throat health.
Massage prescription: Open Tianmen (GV 22), push Kangong (BL 1), rub Taiyang (EX-HN5), massage the area behind the ear at the highest point, press Fengchi (GB 20), clear the Lung meridian, and rub Feishu (BL 13).
Modifications: For wind-cold, add pushing San Guan (LI 3), pinching and rubbing Er Shan Men (BL 2), etc. For wind-heat, add clearing Tianhe Shui (LI 4), pushing the spine, etc. For nasal congestion, add inserting Huang Feng Ru Dong (LI 20). For cough, add pushing and rubbing Shanzhong (CV 17), stimulating the inner Bagua, etc. For abdominal distension, poor appetite, vomiting, add rubbing Zhongwan (CV 12), dividing the abdomen into yin and yang sections, stimulating the inner Bagua, stimulating Banmen (CV 21), and clearing and nourishing the Spleen meridian. For restlessness, anxiety, add clearing the Liver meridian, pinching and rubbing Xiaotianxin (PC 5), etc.
Massage Techniques for Childhood External Pathogenic Fever
Opening Tianmen (GV 22)
Location: Start at the midpoint between the eyebrows and go straight up to the hairline.
Technique: Use both thumbs to alternately push up from bottom to top, called opening Tianmen.
Effect: Induce sweating, calm the mind, relieve pain, and clear the brain. Mainly used for headache, fever, cold, and fright.
Pushing Kangong (BL 1)
Location: From the inner corner of the eyebrow, follow the upper edge of the eyebrow to the end.
Technique: First use both thumbs to pinch and press the midpoint of the eyebrow arch for a moment, then use the radial side of the thumb to push outward from the midpoint of the eyebrow arch to the end.
Effect: Induce sweating, clear the brain, improve vision, and relieve headache. Mainly used for cold, headache, dizziness, and red and painful eyes.
Rubbing Taiyang (EX-HN5)
Location: The hollow area behind the outer ends of the eyebrows.
Technique: Use the fingertip of the thumb to rotate and rub the acupoint clockwise or counterclockwise. Rubbing towards the eyes has a nourishing effect, while rubbing towards the back of the ear has a draining effect.
Effect: Relieve surface symptoms, relieve headache, invigorate the mind, and improve vision. Mainly used for cold, fever, aversion to cold, headache, and red and painful eyes.
Massaging the Area Behind the Ear at the Highest Point
Location: The slightly lower hollow area behind the ear at the highest point.
Technique: Use the middle finger to press and rub the acupoint.
Effect: Induce sweating, calm the mind, and relieve restlessness. Mainly used for cold, fever, convulsions, and restlessness.
Pressing Fengchi (GB 20)
Location: On the back of the head, in the hollow below the occipital bone and between the two large tendons.
Technique: Use the thumb and index finger to firmly press and release Fengchi in a rhythmic manner.
Effect: Induce sweating, promote the flow of qi, and relieve pain. Mainly used for aversion to cold, high fever, headache, body aches, and cold symptoms.
Clearing the Lung Meridian
Location: The Lung meridian, also known as Lung Jing, is located on the spiral surface of the distal phalanx of the ring finger.
Technique: Use the fingertip of the ring finger to push from the spiral surface of the distal phalanx to the tip of the finger.
Effect: Tonify lung qi, clear liver heat, stop coughing, and transform phlegm. Mainly used for cold, fever, cough, asthma, chest tightness, cold hands and feet, and anal prolapse.
Rubbing Feishu (BL 13)
Location: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra.
Technique: Use the spiral surface of the thumb to push from the inner edge of the scapula downward and outward on both sides.
Effect: Regulate lung qi, relieve surface symptoms, and expel pathogenic factors. Mainly used for chronic cough due to lung qi deficiency, chest tightness, chest pain, and fever. Also used for prevention and treatment of colds and coughs.
Analysis of the Massage Prescription for Childhood External Pathogenic Fever
This prescription is used to dispel wind and relieve surface symptoms, treating all types of external pathogenic fever. Opening Tianmen, pushing Kangong, rubbing Taiyang, and massaging the area behind the ear are the main massage techniques for treating external pathogenic fever. Adding the technique of pressing Fengchi helps dispel wind and relieve surface symptoms. Clearing the Lung meridian and rubbing Feishu promote the flow of lung qi.
Daily Care for Childhood Fever
1. When a child has a fever, they should rest more and drink plenty of water to replenish the body's fluids, which helps lower the body temperature.
2. Fever in children usually consumes a lot of energy and is often accompanied by loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, etc. Therefore, parents should provide an appropriate amount of calories and protein, with a focus on light and easily digestible foods. Liquid and semi-liquid foods such as rice soup and egg custard are more suitable for consumption during a fever.
3. Give the child more fresh vegetables and fruits, and supplement with vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, such as oranges and apples, which help reduce fever.
