When children have diarrhea, many parents use massage to help stop it. One commonly used acupoint in massage is the Banmen acupoint. So, where exactly is the Banmen acupoint located?
Location of the Banmen acupoint
The Banmen acupoint is located on the surface of the palm, just below the thumb joint, on the inner side of both hands where the palm muscles are prominent.
Functions of the Banmen acupoint
The Banmen acupoint has the functions of invigorating the spleen and stomach, promoting digestion, relieving nausea and vomiting, and clearing heat. It is commonly used for symptoms such as abdominal distension, diarrhea, and vomiting in children. Massaging the Banmen acupoint towards the wrist crease can help stop diarrhea.
Clinical applications of the Banmen acupoint
1. Massaging the Banmen acupoint can invigorate the spleen and stomach, promote digestion, regulate the flow of qi in the upper and lower body. It is often used for conditions such as stagnation of milk, loss of appetite, belching, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and vomiting.
2. Pushing the Banmen acupoint towards the wrist crease can induce vomiting and stop diarrhea, while pushing the wrist crease towards the Banmen acupoint can stop vomiting.
3. Massaging and pushing the Banmen acupoint can clear heat and relieve restlessness. Combined with pushing and tonifying the kidney meridian, it can be helpful for high fever that doesn't subside in cases of cold and flu. If a child has swollen gums, pushing the Banmen acupoint for 5 minutes and pushing the "Six Fu" acupoint below it for 5 minutes can eliminate the swelling.
4. This acupoint is also commonly used for cutting treatment to treat malnutrition.
Correct manipulation techniques for the Banmen acupoint
Massaging or pushing techniques can be used. Use the threaded surface of the thumb to rub and press the acupoint, or use the pushing technique to push from the root of the thumb towards the wrist crease, which is called pushing the Banmen acupoint towards the wrist crease. The opposite is called pushing the wrist crease towards the Banmen acupoint.
Number of manipulations: 100-300 times. Massage or push the acupoint 2-3 times a day consistently.
