Hernia is a common condition in children characterized by abdominal pain and swelling of the testicle, also known as "qi hernia" or intestinal gas. It often occurs in infants within a few days, months, or years after birth, mainly in the inguinal region. Massage on related acupoints can tonify qi and relieve symptoms. Let's take a look at the illustrated massage techniques for pediatric hernia.
Tonify Spleen Meridian 100 times
The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side. One hand supports the child's forearm, and the other hand uses the thumb's ridged surface to rotate clockwise on the ridged surface of the child's thumb. Alternatively, the child's thumb can be flexed, and the masseur can use the ridged surface of the thumb to push straight from the radial side of the child's thumb towards the palm, repeatedly performing this technique 100 times.
Clear Liver Meridian 100 times
The child sits or lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side. One hand supports the child's forearm, and the other hand uses the ridged surface of the thumb to push straight from the radial side of the child's index finger to the fingertips, repeating this technique 100 times.
Grasp Shoulder Well 10-20 times
The child sits upright, and the masseur stands behind the child. Place both hands on the shoulder well (on the shoulder, at the midpoint of the line connecting the atlas and the acromion). Use the thumb and the rest of the fingers' pads to apply grasping force. Repeat 10-20 times, paying attention to relaxing the forearm, keeping the palm empty, and ensuring that the grasping direction is perpendicular to the muscle fibers.
Rub Abdomen for 5 minutes
The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, lightly placing their palms on the child's abdomen. With shoulders relaxed and elbows hanging down, move the wrist in a circular and rhythmic motion, rubbing the left upper abdomen, right upper abdomen, right lower abdomen, and left lower abdomen in sequence for about 5 minutes. Apply gentle pressure, avoid excessive force, maintain a moderate speed, and avoid damaging the child's skin by applying a suitable amount of talcum powder before rubbing.
Rub Zusanli Point for 5 minutes
The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, using the thumb to apply rotating and rubbing motions on the child's Zusanli point (3 inches below the lateral knee, at the depression outside the knee joint and the patellar ligament), using the fingertip to anchor the Zusanli point and generating small rotational movements to stimulate deep tissues. Apply even pressure, maintain coordinated and rhythmic movements, and rub for 5 minutes.
Rub Sanyinjiao Point for 3 minutes
The child sits upright, and the masseur stands in front of the child, supporting the child's lower leg with one hand and using the thumb to press and rub the Sanyinjiao point (3 inches above the inner ankle), using the fingertip to anchor the Sanyinjiao point and generating small rotational movements to stimulate deep tissues. Apply even pressure, maintain coordinated and rhythmic movements, and rub for 3 minutes.
Knead Spine 5-6 times
The child lies prone, and the masseur places the index fingers on the child's back, then extends the thumbs forward. Grasp and knead the muscles, using a rolling motion with the index fingers moving forward and the thumbs moving backward. Move the hands alternately, kneading from the coccyx (at the midpoint of the line connecting the coccyx and the anus) to the seventh cervical vertebra (in the middle of the posterior midline, below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra) for 1 cycle, repeating this technique 5-6 times. Pay attention to kneading in a straight line, adjusting the appropriate thickness, looseness, and tightness of the skin, maintaining a moderate speed, and avoiding the skin slipping from the fingertips.
Pediatric Hernia Classification Massage
Spleen and Kidney Deficiency Type
1. Rub Kidney Meridian: The child lies supine, and the masseur supports the child's forearm with one hand, using the thumb's ridged surface to push straight from the tip of the child's little finger to the root of the finger, repeating this technique 200 times.
2. Tonify Large Intestine: The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, supporting the child's forearm with one hand, and using the ridged surface of the thumb to push straight from the radial side of the child's index finger, from the fingertip to the tiger's mouth, repeating this technique 200 times.
3. Rub Yongquan Point: The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, supporting the child's heel with one hand, and using the ridged surface of the thumb to rub the Yongquan point on the child's foot 50-100 times.
Liver Qi Stagnation Type
1. Push Four Transverse Lines: The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, holding the child's palm with one hand, fingers together and palm facing up, and using the other hand's fingers together to push from the transverse line of the child's index finger to the transverse line of the little finger, performing this technique 100 times.
2. Rub Renzhong Point: The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, using the fingertip of the index finger and middle finger to press the Renzhong point (the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples), applying rotational rubbing motions, repeating this technique 30-50 times.
Cold and Dampness Accumulation Type
1. Rub Waigong Point: The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, supporting the child's forearm with one hand, and using the thumb's tip to rub the Waigong point (located on the palm side of the child's wrist) in a circular motion, repeating this technique 300 times.
2. Clear Small Intestine: The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, supporting the child's forearm with one hand, and using the ridged surface of the thumb to push along the child's little finger's ulnar side, from the root to the fingertip, repeating this technique 300 times.
3. Retreat Six Fu Organs: The child lies supine, and the masseur stands on the child's side, supporting the child's forearm with one hand, and using the thumb or index finger and middle finger's pads to push straight along the child's forearm's ulnar side, from the elbow to the wrist, repeating this technique 300 times.
