In pediatric massage acupoints, the lung meridian, spleen meridian, stomach meridian, and heart meridian are commonly used acupoints for massage. It is important to understand the location of these acupoints in order to achieve the desired health benefits. So, where is the acupoint for the heart meridian in children?
Location of the Heart Meridian in Children
The acupoint for the heart meridian in children is located at the fingertip of the middle finger. There are two different methods for massaging this acupoint, namely tonifying the heart meridian and clearing the heart meridian.
Massaging the Heart Meridian in Children - Tonifying Method
The practitioner holds the child's middle finger with one hand to stabilize it, and with the other hand, uses the thumb pad to rotate and massage the fingertip of the middle finger 100-500 times.
Massaging the Heart Meridian in Children - Clearing Method
The practitioner holds the child's middle finger with one hand to stabilize it, and with the other hand, uses the thumb pad to push straight from the fingertip to the base of the finger 100-500 times. Tonifying the heart meridian and clearing the heart meridian are collectively referred to as massaging the heart meridian.
Effects of Massaging the Heart Meridian in Children
Clearing the heart meridian can clear heat and reduce heart fire. It is commonly used for symptoms such as high fever and delirium due to excessive heart fire, redness and sores in the mouth, and short and red urine.
Precautions for Massaging the Heart Meridian in Children
The heart meridian should be treated with the draining method and not the tonifying method, as tonifying may aggravate heart fire. If there is deficiency of qi and blood, resulting in restlessness, staring eyes, and other symptoms, tonifying method can be used, but it should be followed by clearing method or using the spleen meridian tonifying method instead.
