Children often have runny noses after catching a cold, mainly caused by external wind and cold, or gallbladder heat rising. In the early stages of a cold, the nasal discharge is clear and thin, but it can become thick and green or yellow in the later stages. Let's take a look at the illustrated guide for pediatric nasal massage.
Pediatric Nasal Massage Main Acupoints and Techniques
Rub the Xiaotianxin acupoint for 5 minutes, and massage the Qingfei meridian for ten minutes.
Rub Xiaotianxin
Location: The depression at the junction of the base of the index finger and the thumb, also known as the fish junction.
Technique: Rub, pinch, or press. The masseur uses the thumb or the index finger to rub the acupoint in a circular motion, which is called rubbing Xiaotianxin; pinch the acupoint with the thumb, which is called pinching Xiaotianxin; or press the acupoint with the middle finger, which is called pressing Xiaotianxin.
Indications: Night terrors, convulsions, restlessness, painful and difficult urination, red and painful eyes, delayed eruption of measles, and other symptoms.
Massage the Qingfei Meridian
Location: The spiral surface of the distal phalanx of the ring finger.
Technique: Rubbing and massaging techniques are used. The masseur uses the spiral surface of the thumb to perform a rubbing technique called "rub five and push one" (rub towards the fingertips for clearing, and rub towards the base of the finger for tonifying), mostly using clearing technique.
Indications: Fever caused by external pathogenic factors, qi deficiency leading to prolapse of the anus, coughing, asthma, and spontaneous sweating.
Effects of Pediatric Nasal Massage Main Acupoints
Rubbing Xiaotianxin can relieve internal heat and treat wind-cold from external pathogenic factors.
The Qingfei meridian is the main acupoint for treating this condition, which can relieve internal heat rising and tonify qi.
Pediatric Nasal Massage Auxiliary Acupoints and Techniques
Massage the Qingbanmen acupoint for 5 minutes, and rub the Erren Shangma acupoint for 3 minutes.
Massage the Qingbanmen
Location: The plane of the palm at the junction of the index finger and the base of the thumb.
Technique: Rubbing or pressing techniques can be used. The masseur uses the spiral surface of the thumb to rub the acupoint, or uses the pushing technique by pressing from the base of the thumb towards the wrist, which is called "horizontal rubbing" or "rubbing Qingbanmen".
Indications: Poor appetite, food accumulation, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
Rub the Erren Shangma
Location: The depression behind the knuckles of the ring finger and little finger on the back of the hand.
Technique: Rubbing technique is used. The masseur uses the spiral surface of the thumb to rub the acupoint. Rub it 50-100 times.
Indications: Nourishing yin and tonifying kidneys, promoting diuresis, and resolving phlegm.
Effects of Pediatric Nasal Massage Auxiliary Acupoints
Massage the Qingbanmen acupoint can clear heat and relieve inflammation in the nasal cavity.
Rubbing the Erren Shangma acupoint can clear internal dampness, promote urination, and consolidate the therapeutic effect.
Differentiation and Treatment of Pediatric Nasal Discharge
Runny nose is usually caused by a cold, so the main treatment should focus on treating the cold, supplemented by massage to accelerate recovery.
Note: If the child has symptoms of indigestion, it is not advisable to use techniques to massage the Qingfei meridian, as it may worsen the symptoms of indigestion.
