Night sweats refer to sweating in children during sleep, which stops upon waking up. There is no chilliness after the sweating, but instead, the child may feel hot. The treatment should focus on nourishing qi and yin, and clearing the liver and eliminating dampness. Let's take a look at the massage techniques for night sweats in children.
Differentiation of Night Sweats in Children
"Sweat is the liquid of the heart." Night sweats in children can be divided into two types: insufficiency of heart yin and excessive heart yang.
Insufficiency of heart yin: usually caused by insufficient yang qi in the body.
Excessive heart yang: usually caused by excessive heat in children or excessive intake of hot foods.
Massage Techniques for Night Sweats with Insufficiency of Heart Yin
Main acupoints for massage:
1. Massage the spleen meridian for 5 minutes, and then massage the kidney meridian for 7 minutes.
2. Massage the reverse direction of the internal Bagua for 2 minutes, and then massage the four horizontal lines acupoints for 4 minutes.
Additional acupoints for massage:
1. Rub the outer Laogong point for 4 minutes, and then pinch and squeeze the Shenque point.
2. Rub the Xiaotianxin point for 3 minutes, and rub the Erlin Shangma point for 3 minutes.
3. Rub the Shending point for 3 minutes.
Explanation of Massage Techniques for Night Sweats with Insufficiency of Heart Yin
Main acupoints: Massaging the spleen meridian and kidney meridian is the fundamental method. It can harmonize the qi of the spleen and kidney, and replenish the deficiency of both congenital and acquired sources. Massaging the reverse direction of the internal Bagua and the four horizontal lines acupoints can promote digestion and increase the child's appetite.
Additional acupoints: Rubbing the outer Laogong point and pinching and squeezing the Shenque point helps digestion and has a warming and descending effect on yang qi. Rubbing the Xiaotianxin point and the Erlin Shangma point can help calm and soothe the child, allowing them to sleep soundly. Rubbing the Shending point can effectively consolidate the surface and stop sweating.
Massage Techniques for Night Sweats with Excessive Heart Yang
Main acupoints for massage:
1. Massage the kidney meridian for 5 minutes.
2. Massage the Qing Tianhe water acupoint for 1 minute.
3. Massage the Qing Banmen acupoint for 5 minutes.
Additional acupoints for massage:
1. Massage the lung meridian for 5 minutes, and then massage the lower six fu organs for 5 minutes.
2. Rub the Xiaotianxin point for 3 minutes, and rub the Erlin Shangma point for 5 minutes.
Explanation of Massage Techniques for Night Sweats with Excessive Heart Yang
Main acupoints: Massaging the kidney meridian can harmonize the yin and yang in the body. Massaging the Qing Tianhe water acupoint can relieve heart fire. Massaging the Qing Banmen acupoint can nourish yin and clear heat, helping to alleviate night sweats.
Additional acupoints: Massaging the lung meridian and the lower six fu organs can help relieve dry stools in children. Rubbing the Xiaotianxin point and the Erlin Shangma point can help clear heat and promote urination.
Special Massage Acupoints for Night Sweats in Children
Heart Meridian Acupoint
Massaging the heart meridian acupoint can be done in a reducing or reinforcing method. Generally, the reducing method is used, which involves pushing from the fingertip towards the fingerprint on the palm side of the middle finger. This method has the effect of clearing the heart and reducing fever.
Kidney Meridian Acupoint
The kidney meridian is located on the palm side of the little finger. Massaging the kidney meridian acupoint can nourish the kidney and brain, warm and nourish the lower body, and clear and eliminate damp-heat.
Kidney Top Acupoint
The kidney top acupoint is located at the end of the palm side of the little finger. Rubbing the kidney top acupoint can consolidate the primordial qi, stabilize the surface, and stop sweating, which has a certain effect in relieving night sweats in children.
