In children, they have pure yang and strong metabolism. The vaporization and transpiration of body fluids are more active compared to adults. Due to the loose structure of their skin, their pores are not regulated, which makes them prone to sweating. When certain parts or the whole body of a child sweats excessively, it is called sweat disorder, which is a type of disease. Massage therapy can be used to stop sweating. Let's take a look at pediatric massage therapy for excessive sweating.
Causes and Pathology of Excessive Sweating in Children
Excessive heat due to evil: External evil heat invasion, or heat generated from food stagnation or constipation, or obstruction of organ Qi circulation, or initial exposure to cold evil, can all turn into internal heat. When the internal heat is excessive, it forces the fluids out of the body as sweat. The fiery nature causes the sweat to primarily occur in the upper body and exhibit heat symptoms.
Imbalance of Yin and Yang: Children have weak Yin and Yang regulation, making them prone to Yin and Yang imbalances. For example, deficiency of Yin in the body or long-term depletion of Yin due to evil heat can lead to internal heat accumulating and causing excessive sweating. Excessive deficiency fire can also cause sweating as the liquid is steamed out. Additionally, excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or prolonged diarrhea can cause damage to Qi and Yin, leading to sweating.
Weak defense Qi: If a child frequently catches colds, the lung's defense Qi may be damaged, or if the child has inherent deficiency in the body, where the earth element does not generate the metal element, or if the kidney essence is insufficient, the Qi's ability to push, defend, and retain may be weak, resulting in failure to retain fluids and leading to sweating. This type of sweating is characterized by sweating with signs of deficiency.
Massage Therapy to Stop Excessive Sweating in Children with Excessive Internal Heat
Main symptoms: Sweating on the head, neck, or whole body, thirst with a preference for drinking, red face and lips, constipation, reduced urine output, red and dry tongue, rapid pulse, and purple veins.
Treatment principle: Clear heat, drain fire, generate fluids, and stop sweating.
Massage prescription: Massage the Heart Meridian, Clear the Plaque Gate acupoint, Clear the Tianhe Water acupoint, massage the six fu organs downward, massage the seven joints and bones downward, knead Taixi, knead Erma.
Rationale of massage therapy: The heart governs sweating, and the Heart Meridian can clear heat and stop sweating. The Yangming Meridian has abundant Qi and blood, so excessive internal heat is prone to sweating. Clearing the Plaque Gate can remove the heat in the Yangming Meridian and help stop sweating. Tianhe Water is a representative acupoint for clearing heat. It can clear external pathogens, Qi, and heat. The three acupoints work together to pacify the heat and promote Qi circulation, stopping sweating. Massaging the six fu organs and the seven joints and bones can promote bowel movement and relieve heat. The above combination of acupoints can eliminate heat, promote organ function, and regulate Qi downward, stopping sweating. It is an effective method of treating both the root cause and the symptoms. Kneading Taixi and Erma acupoints from the Kidney Meridian can nourish the source of water and increase Yin to suppress Yang.
Massage Therapy to Stop Excessive Sweating in Children with Yin Deficiency and Excessive Fire
Main symptoms: Hot flashes, night sweats, flushed cheeks, irritability, dry throat, palpitations, chronic cough and asthma, thin body, red tongue with little coating or peeled coating, thin and rapid pulse, and stagnant fingerprints.
Treatment principle: Nourish Yin, clear heat, and stop sweating.
Massage prescription: Massage the Heart Meridian, knead Erma, supplement the Kidney Meridian, rub Yongquan, rub Xiaotianxin, and stimulate Neiguan.
Rationale of massage therapy: The Heart Meridian can reduce heart fire and allow the heart fire to descend to the kidneys. Kneading Erma and supplementing the Kidney Meridian can nourish kidney Yin and help the kidney water nourish the heart. This method establishes communication between the heart and kidneys, harmonizing and regulating Yin and Yang. Without adding Yin to Yang, the sweating will continue. Rubbing Yongquan can activate the Guanyuan acupoint and suppress excessive Yang. Stimulating Neiguan can clear virtual fire. Rubbing Xiaotianxin can promote meridian circulation, relieve wind, and dispel evil. It can also promote Qi transformation, separate Yin and Yang, and remove water through urination, thus stopping sweating.
Massage Therapy to Stop Excessive Sweating in Children with Weak Defense Qi
Main symptoms: Frequent colds, excessive sweating at the head, neck, and chest, worsened by movement, accompanied by aversion to wind, cold limbs, clear runny nose, pale lips, weak pulse, and pale fingerprints.
Treatment principle: Strengthen the defense Qi, consolidate the surface, and stop sweating.
Massage prescription: Massage the Lung Meridian to consolidate the surface and strengthen the defense Qi, supplement the Spleen Meridian to supplement the earth and generate metal, knead Xiaotianxin, activate the Taiyang Meridian, massage Yiwo Feng, which can promote meridian circulation, expel wind evil, promote Qi transformation, and separate Yin and Yang. Rubbing the Kidney Meridian can nourish kidney water, assist the defense Qi, and rub Fengchi to prevent colds and enhance the body's resistance, achieving the effects of consolidating the surface and stopping sweating.
