The seven vertebrae is a common area used in pediatric massage. There are two methods: pushing up the seven vertebrae and pushing down the seven vertebrae. So where exactly is the seven vertebrae located? What is the function of pushing the seven vertebrae?
Exact Location of the Seven Vertebrae
The seven vertebrae are located on the back, from the fourth lumbar vertebra to the end of the coccyx, forming a straight line.
Effects and Functions of the Seven Vertebrae
Pushing the seven vertebrae has a dual effect of warming yang and stopping diarrhea, and clearing heat and promoting bowel movements.
Pushing up the seven vertebrae is used to warm yang and stop diarrhea. It is often used for symptoms such as deficiency-cold diarrhea and chronic dysentery. It is commonly combined with massaging Baihui (GV20) and rubbing Dantian to treat symptoms such as enuresis and prolapse caused by qi deficiency sinking.
Pushing down the seven vertebrae is used to clear heat and promote bowel movements. It is often used for conditions such as intestinal heat constipation or dysentery.
Note that pushing down the seven vertebrae should not be used for patients with deficiency-cold diarrhea to prevent exacerbation of diarrhea.
Demonstration of Seven Vertebrae Massage Technique
Pushing up the seven vertebrae: Use the thumb to circle the side or use the index and middle fingers to push straight from bottom to top, which is called pushing up the seven vertebrae.
Pushing down the seven vertebrae: Use the thumb's radial side or the index and middle fingers to push straight from top to bottom, which is called pushing down the seven vertebrae.
Special Massage Therapy for the Seven Vertebrae
Place the index and middle fingers together and use the fingertip to push the seven vertebrae back and forth 100-300 times. The degree of local skin redness is the measure. Persisting in massage every day can relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and dysentery.
