In pediatric Tui Na, there is a technique called "Pushing the Five Meridians". These five meridians refer to the spleen, liver, heart, lung, and kidney meridians at the fingertips of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and slightly off-center from the pinky fingertip to the wrist crease, respectively. So what are the effects of pushing the Five Meridians in pediatric Tui Na?
Pediatric Tui Na Five Meridians Technique
The massager uses one hand to hold the child's fingers to stabilize them, and uses the thumb or index finger tip of the other hand to perform the technique from the child's thumb to the pinky fingertip, or uses the thumb nail to pinch and knead each finger individually, repeating the technique 50-100 times and pinching and kneading each finger 3-5 times. This is called "Pushing the Five Meridians" and "Pinching and Kneading the Five Meridians". The child lays their palm flat with their fingers together, and the massager holds the child's palm with one hand, while placing the thumb on top of the back of the child's hand and the other four fingers under the child's palm, pushing directly towards the fingertips 50-100 times. This is called "Pushing the Five Meridians".
The Effects of the Spleen Meridian in Pediatric Tui Na
The spleen meridian is located on the outer edge of the thumb, at the junction of the red and white skin. From the fingertip to the base of the finger, flexing the child's thumb and pushing inwards strengthens the spleen. This method is commonly used for deficiency syndromes, and can invigorate the spleen and reinforce qi and blood. Pushing directly towards the outside is for clearing the spleen, and is used for excess syndromes to eliminate spleen fire. Pushing back and forth is for clearing and reinforcing the spleen, and is used for deficiency with a concurrent excess, harmonizing the spleen and stomach, and promoting blood circulation and smooth flow of qi.
The Effects of the Liver Meridian in Pediatric Tui Na
The liver meridian is located on the palm side of the index finger, from the base of the finger to the fingertip. Pushing from the base to the fingertip is called "Pinging the Liver", which clears the liver. This acupoint should only be cleared and not reinforced. It has the functions of calming the liver and extinguishing wind, relieving heat and settling agitation, and soothing liver depression. It is mainly used to treat acute and chronic convulsions, wind diseases, high fever caused by typhoid fever, red eyes, coma, spleen deficiency with diarrhea, hepatitis, and all inflammations.
The Effects of the Heart Meridian in Pediatric Tui Na
The heart meridian is located on the palm side of the middle finger. It has the functions of clearing heart fire, promoting urination, and nourishing heart blood. It is mainly used to treat anemia, blood loss, and weak heart conditions. This acupoint should neither be cleared nor reinforced, but only cleared and reinforced together, by pushing back and forth from the base to the fingertip.
The Effects of the Lung Meridian in Pediatric Tui Na
The lung meridian is located on the palm side of the ring finger. Pushing from the base to the fingertip is for clearing the lungs, while pushing from the fingertip to the base is for reinforcing the lungs. Clearing the lungs can clear heat and release the exterior, and is used to treat colds, coughs, lung heat coughs, sore throats, and constipation. Reinforcing the lung meridian can supplement qi, and is used to treat lung deficiency and lung cold coughs (such as chronic bronchitis).
The Effects of the Kidney Meridian in Pediatric Tui Na
The kidney meridian is located on the palm side of the pinky finger. Pushing from the fingertip to the base is for reinforcing the kidneys, and it has the functions of nourishing the kidneys and brain, and stopping deficient fire. It is mainly used to treat congenital insufficiency, frequent urination, enuresis, deficient fire toothache, and kidney deficiency coughs.
