Fever in children can be caused by various diseases, generally divided into three types: external pathogens, lung and stomach heat, and internal heat due to yin deficiency. External pathogens can be further divided into wind-cold and wind-heat fevers. In the treatment of fever, after consulting a doctor, massage therapy can be used as an adjunct treatment. Let's take a look at the massage methods for children with wind-cold fever.
Causes of Wind-Cold Fever in Children
Due to the delicate organs and thin skin of children, their defensive qi is not strong. Therefore, when there is sudden weather change, abnormal temperature, or inadequate care, external pathogens can easily invade the skin and cause fever.
Massage Prescription for Wind-Cold Fever in Children
Main symptoms: severe chills, mild fever, no sweating, headache, stuffy nose with clear nasal discharge, sneezing, itchy throat, thin and white tongue coating, floating pulse, and bright red fingerprints.
Treatment principles: induce sweating to release pathogenic factors and promote the circulation of defensive qi.
Massage prescription: open the Heavenly Gate, push the Kangan Palace, rub the Taiyang points, massage the high bone behind the ears, manipulate the Fengchi points, clear the Lung meridian, knead the Feishu points, and add pushing the Three Gates and squeezing the Ershanmen points.
Massage Techniques for Wind-Cold Fever in Children
Open the Heavenly Gate: Starting from the midpoint between the eyebrows, push straight up to the hairline, using the thumbs to alternately push down, 24-50 times, to induce sweating, calm the mind, and brighten the eyes.
Push the Kangan Palace: Use both thumbs to press the midpoint of the eyebrow arch for a moment, then use the thumbs' radial sides to push outward from the eyebrows slightly upward to the end of the eyebrows, pushing 24-50 times, to induce sweating, clear the mind, and improve vision.
Rub the Taiyang points: Rub the temples at the depression behind the outer ends of the eyebrows with the thumbs, 24-50 times, to relieve exterior syndrome, alleviate headache, awaken the mind, and improve vision.
Massage the high bone behind the ears: Use the middle finger to press the slightly depressed point below the high bone behind the ears and rub it for 24-50 times, to induce sweating, calm the mind, and relieve irritability.
Manipulate the Fengchi points: Use the thumbs and index fingers to rhythmically lift and press the Fengchi points between the posterior occiput prominence and the mastoid process, 50-100 times. This helps induce sweating, expel wind, and dispel cold.
Clear the Lung meridian: Use the thumb to push from the palm of the hand to the fingertips of the ring finger, 100-500 times, to tonify the lung qi, clear liver heat, and stop coughing and phlegm production.
Knead the Feishu points: Use the thumb's pulp to knead the Feishu points, located 1.5 inches below the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra on the back. First, knead clockwise 50-100 times, then knead counterclockwise, to disperse wind and relieve exterior syndrome, promote lung function, and relieve coughing.
Push the Three Gates: Close the index finger and middle finger together and push from the wrist crease to the elbow crease, or use the thumb's radial side to push, 100-500 times, to warm the yang, dispel cold, invigorate qi, activate blood circulation, and nourish the body's vitality.
Squeeze the Ershanmen points: Use the thumb's knuckle to squeeze and knead the Ershanmen points, which are located on both sides of the root of the middle finger on the back of the hand, and knead 100-500 times. This helps induce sweating, reduce fever, and alleviate wheezing.
Explanation of the Wind-Cold Fever Massage Prescription for Children
This prescription aims to dispel wind and relieve exterior syndrome, treating all types of wind-cold fevers. Opening the Heavenly Gate, rubbing the Taiyang points, pushing the Kangan Palace, and manipulating the high bone behind the ears are the main massage techniques for treating wind-cold fever. The addition of manipulating the Fengchi points and kneading the Feishu points helps further dispel wind and relieve exterior syndrome, and promote lung function. Pushing the Three Gates and squeezing the Ershanmen points consolidate the therapeutic effects.
Tips
1. Do not blindly use antipyretic drugs for children with fever; follow the doctor's guidance for medication.
2. If a child with high fever has undergone emergency massage treatment, promptly take them to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
3. Allow the affected child to rest in a quiet environment.
4. Ensure the child drinks plenty of water to prevent dehydration; feed them light and easily digestible food, avoid greasy food, and maintain regular bowel movements.
