What To Know Before Using Acupressure on Small Children

If you are reading this article, chances are you already know what acupressure is. Perhaps it is already a part of your daily health regimen.

But now you are wondering if you can perform acupressure on your baby or toddler. Is it safe to do acupressure on small children? The answer to this question is Yes, you can!

Let’s discuss what you should know before using acupressure on small children. Afterwards, we shall enumerate the acupoints that you could stimulate in your child in order to reap the health benefits.

Acupressure Re-Defined

Just to recap, acupressure is a type of massage wherein you press on select acupoints with your fingertips, instead of inserting needles as with acupuncture.

Acupressure encourages the flow of the vital energy called qi throughout the body. In small children, acupressure can help with digestion issues such as moving gas, burping, and encouraging regular bowel movements. It can also improve their quality of sleep, reduce anxiousness, hyperactivity and even bedwetting. When done right, it can be a great way for parents to bond with their child.

What You Should Know Before Using Acupressure

There are a few things that you need to know before using acupressure on small children.

The DO’s

• You can perform acupressure while bathing, nursing, or dressing your child for bed.
• Acupressure can also be used at home or on the go to relieve negative symptoms.
• Apply gentle pressure in small, circular motions.
• Acupressure can be done once to twice a week to improve general health and wellness. For acute conditions such as coughs and flus, your child may need treatment up to once or twice a day. Each session usually lasts from 10 to 20 minutes.

The DON’Ts

• Do not spend more than 30 seconds massaging a pressure point.
• Acupressure should not be used on sensitive areas, including spots with wounds, rashes, or injuries.
• It should be mentioned that acupressure is an added therapy that you can do on your child. It should not replace medical treatment. For serious conditions such as high fever, vomiting or diarrhea, immediately seek medical attention.
  

Main Acupressure Points That You Should Know

Let us know move on to the main acupressure points that you should know and which you can already perform on your small children.

1. Governing Vessel 12 (GV 12 or DU 12) – Shenzhu 

GV 12 pressure point is located in the center of the upper back. It can be found below the third thoracic vertebrae. It is the seventh vertebrae below the base of the neck. GV 12 is calming pressure point. You can gently stimulate this point to help calm your child before tucking them into bed or for soothing them on the go.  For children 0 to 3 years old, refrain from using too much pressure on the acupressure points. If you are unsure, please tap on the points instead.

2. Liver 3 (LR 3) – Taichong

LR 3 is located on the top of the foot, situated in the webbing between the big toe and the second toe of your child’s foot. This point is used to deal with leg issues, such as cramping or growing pains. It can also be used to treat digestive and sleep problems.

3. Large Intestine 4 (LI 4) – Hegu 

LI 4 is located in the fleshy part between the thumb and index finger of your child. This point is very helpful with colicky babies and it is commonly used in both adults and children to relieve headaches. It can also help with teething pain.

4. Bladder 2 (BL 2) – Cuanzhu 

The BL 2 pressure point can be found on the lower part of the inner eyebrows, on the outer part of the eye socket. BL 2 helps in relieving hiccups and clears sinuses and move mucus down and out through the nose. Be very careful when stimulating this point for children who are below 3 years old as it is in close proximity of the eyes which has fragile thin skin of the eyelids.

5. Pericardium 6 (PC 6) – Neiguan

PC 6 is located a bit upwards from the wrist, between the two tendons of the forearm. This pressure point is very effective in relieving nausea and vomiting.

6. Stomach 36 (ST 36) – Zu San Li

Found an inch below the kneecap on the shin, ST 36 is a great point to stimulate for stomach issues. It also aids with digestion, stomach pain, and promotes regular bowel movements.

7. Spleen 6 (SP 6) – San Yin Jiao

This point is located three finger-widths above the inner ankle bone. It helps in treating digestive issues, skin disease, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, and pain in the lower body.

Let these pressure points guide you on your child’s journey through acupressure and a healthy lifestyle. Again, acupressure is an added therapy you can use. It should not replace a visit to a doctor or a TCM specialist especially if their symptoms persist.