Introduction to Acupressure for Children

I just spoke at the Holistic Moms Network meeting in my area.  What a great group of women!  I love to see people committed to following a healthy way of life and passing it on to future generations!  I will say that there was a fair bit that I explained while going through these handouts, so I’m not sure how much of it will translate easily into a blog.  But those who couldn’t make the seminar have asked for it, so here it is 🙂
Please feel free to ask me if you have any questions!
Monica Mae Leibson, Dipl. Ac., Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula

Intro to Acupressure for Children

Acupressure can be a great way to help your child heal quickly from illness. Choose a time of day when your child is most calm, be it after a bath or just before bedtime. Kindly let them know that this will feel good and help them to get better. For young children, best to create a silly song and dance to go with the session. To stimulate the points you can choose from a few methods:

~ Gently put pressure on the acupuncture point/channel with your finger. Use as much pressure as your child tolerates and watch for signs of discomfort. Acupressure (as opposed to massage) can cause slight irritability when you hit the right point.

~ Tuning forks are a great way to treat children. Let them hear each note before keeping them on the point until the vibration stops.

~ Acupressure pens. You can find a wide variety of these available online. I like Accu Point Pen by Body Back Company (amazon for $15.99)

For acute conditions, treat every few hours. For chronic conditions, treat 1-5 times weekly.

~ To find locations of points, www.acupuncture.com. Go to acu-point locator.

 

Two Basic Types of Child                          

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Excess                                                                                                      Deficient

Strong, sturdy, alert. Eyes open & inquisitive                                     Quiet, even, frail. Eyes dull, pale

Good appetite, eats everything                                                              Poor appetite or choosy about food

Lots of energy, difficult to ignore, strong reactions to pain                Easygoing personality, easily startled, sensitive, quick to cry

Often has red cheeks                                                                                Pale skin, low energy, need lots of sleep

Strong willed                                                                                               Easy going

 

Why is this basic differentiation so important?

“Simply put, for healing to occur, the child must have enough energy. When a deficient type child becomes ill, one must first tonify. If, however, the child is more excessive in nature, then one can reduce the energy first.” – Acupuncture in the Treatment of Children by Julian Scott & Teresa Barlow

CONDITIONS & Their Treatments

Constipation

Acupressure Treatment: Stomach 36, Spleen 6

Diarrhea

Acupressure Treatment: Stomach 36, Large Intestine 11, Stomach 44, Spleen 4

Teething

Acupressure Treatment: Large Intestine 4, Stomach 44

Fever

Acupressure Treatment: Large Intestine 4, Large Intestine 11, Gallbladder 20, Stomach 36

Cough

Ren 17, Ren 22 (note: these can bring up a lot of phlegm so do these points AFTER they wake and see how much phlegm they encourage.)

Lung 5/7/10, Large Intestine 4, Bladder 12/13

 

ACUPRESSURE POINTS (for written locations, scroll down below all pictures)

POINTS TO TONIFY (USED MOSTLY FOR DEFICIENCY)

Spleen 4

POINTS TO REDUCE (MOSTLY USED IN EXCESS)

Large Intestine 11

Large Intestine 4

Stomach 44

Stomach 36

Spleen 6

Triple Energizer 6 (TE 6)

Point Locations

Spleen 4 ~ On the medial aspect of the foot, in the depression distal and inferior to the base of the first metatarsal bone. Acute gastric pain, gastric distention and stuffiness, poor appetite, pain around the umbilical region, diarrhea, bloody stools. Epigastric pain, chest congestion, distention in the hypochondrium

Large Intestine 11 ~ With the elbow flexed, the point is on the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease, at midpoint between LU 5 and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. LI 11 is best known for clearing heat (fever) and abdominal issues.

Large Intestine 4 ~ On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. LI 4 is a very common and useful point. It is useful for any condition related to the face and head. It’s also particularly useful for Wind-Heat conditions (flu). Finally, LI 4 is known as the pain point in the body. Anywhere there is pain, use LI 4.

Stomach 44 ~ On the dorsum of the foot, between the 2^nd and 3^rd toes, just proximal to the margin of the web. Good for toothache, nosebleed, throat pain, heat in the body, stomach excess.

Stomach 36 ~ Below the knee, 3 cun inferior to patella, one finger breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia. This is the best point in the body for both stomach issues and immune health. It tonifies the overall qi of the body but also clears fire.

Spleen 6 ~ On the medial side of the lower leg, 3 cun superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus, in a depression close to the medial crest of the tibia. Spleen 6 is the meeting point of the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney channels. Primary point in digestive, gynecological, and emotional disorders.

Triple Energizer 6 ~ On the dorsum of the wrist, 3 cun proximal to the wrist joint, in the depression between the radius and the ulna. Benefits the chest, throat, and moves the stool. Activates channel and alleviates pain.