Palpitations refer to the sensation of the heart pounding or racing, accompanied by shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, wheezing, fainting, and irregular or rapid heartbeat. Massage therapy can be used as an adjunctive treatment for palpitations. Let's take a look at the specific massage techniques for palpitations.
Principles of Palpitation Massage
In traditional Chinese medicine, palpitations are mainly caused by weakness of Qi and blood, phlegm-heat in the interior, and Qi and blood stagnation. Treatment should focus on warming and tonifying Yang, transforming and eliminating phlegm, and promoting blood circulation and regulating Qi.
Effective Acupoints for Palpitation Massage
Shaoshang (Lesser Shang)
This acupoint is located at the beginning of the Heart meridian of the Hand Shaoyin. It has the functions of clearing heat, extinguishing wind, awakening the mind, and opening the orifices. Massaging this acupoint can effectively alleviate heart disease, fever-induced delirium, and palpitations.
Location of the acupoint: 0.1 cun above the corner of the nail on the radial side of the distal phalanx of the little finger.
Massage technique: Press vertically with the tip of the thumb, 2 times a day for about 20 seconds each time. When sudden palpitations occur, use your teeth to bite the little finger slightly to stimulate the acupoint and suppress the palpitations.
Qixue (Qi Door)
Qixue is the gateway for the Qi of the Hand Jueyin Pericardium meridian to enter and exit. Pressing this acupoint has obvious calming and sedating effects, as well as promoting blood circulation and stopping bleeding.
Location of the acupoint: 5 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist on the palmar side, between the flexor carpi radialis tendon and the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon.
Massage technique: Extend the arm and press the acupoint with the tip of the thumb, 30 seconds each time, gradually increasing the pressure until a soreness is felt.
Head and Face Massage for Alleviating Palpitations
Press Yintang and stroke the forehead 5-10 times.
Stroke the bridge of the nose from top to bottom, starting from the left side and then the right side, about 1 minute per side. Then knead Baihui and Fengchi for 2-3 minutes. At the same time, measure the pulse rate, with a pulse rate below 90 beats per minute considered normal.
Bridge of the nose: Along the sternocleidomastoid muscle on both sides of the neck, in a straight line.
Baihui: The midpoint of the line connecting the tips of the ears on the top of the head.
Fengchi: The depression below the occipital bone, level with Fengfu, between the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper end of the trapezius muscle.
Back Massage for Alleviating Palpitations
Massage Feishu, Xinshu, and Geshu points for about 10 minutes.
Feishu: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra.
Xinshu: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
Geshu: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra.
Upper Limb Massage for Alleviating Palpitations
Knead Neiguan and Shenmen points, and massage both upper limbs for about 6 minutes.
Neiguan: 2 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, between the two tendons.
Shenmen: At the ulnar side of the palm, at the transverse crease of the distal interphalangeal joint of the little finger, at the outer side of the tendon.
Massage Techniques for Different Types of Palpitations
Palpitations due to Heart and Gallbladder Deficiency and Timidity
1. Prolong the massage time for Shenmen, and knead Fengchi.
2. Use the edge of the palm to stroke along the middle of the sternum towards the midline of both sides of the chest for about 3-5 minutes, until the palpitations are alleviated.
Palpitations due to Heart Blood Deficiency
1. Knead Xuehai, Zusanli, Pishu, and Weishu points.
Xuehai: With the knees flexed, hold the knee cap with the palm facing up, the thumb and the other four fingers forming a 45° angle. The tip of the thumb is the acupoint.
Zusanli: 3 cun below the lateral eye of the knee, 1 cun outside the tibia. You can feel along the tibia until you encounter a prominent oblique bone, and the point is 1 cun beside it.
Pishu: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra.
Weishu: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra.
2. Apply pressure to Huatuo Jiaji points for 5 minutes.
Huatuo Jiaji points: 0.5 cun lateral to the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra to the 5th lumbar vertebra.
Palpitations due to Yin Deficiency and Excessive Fire
1. Apply pressure to Shenshu, Taichong, and Xingjian points.
Shenshu: 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.
Taichong: Between the first and second toes, push upwards until you feel a depression.
Xingjian: On the lateral side of the foot, between the first and second toes, at the posterior edge of the interdigital web.
2. Knead Taiyang, Ermen, Tinggong, and Tinghui points.
Taiyang: The midpoint between the outermost corner of the eye and the end of the eyebrow.
Ermen: In front of the tragus, at the posterior edge of the condyle of the mandible, in a depression when the mouth is open.
Tinggong: In front of the tragus, at the posterior edge of the condyle of the mandible, in a depression when the mouth is open.
Tinghui: In front of the tragus, at the posterior edge of the condyle of the mandible, in a depression when the mouth is open.
Precautions for Palpitation Massage
Palpitations are often seen in heart diseases, and it is important to differentiate the nature of the disease and identify the underlying cause. If it is a functional disorder, it is mostly paroxysmal and can be quickly alleviated with massage therapy. If it is caused by organic lesions, it is necessary to actively cooperate with medication while receiving massage therapy to avoid worsening the condition.
