Understanding Paediatric Massage

Have you heard of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Paediatric Massage? Paediatric Massage was developed 2300 years ago and has survived the test of time, helping many adorable children get better. As we know, children do not fancy bitter TCM concoction nor painful injections, Paediatric Massage is a gentle way to help children regain their health. With the increasing recognition of preventive health by parents, like yourself, this relaxing and therapeutic approach has gained popularity and is widely accepted by children of all ages. Let’s explore what it is and how it works! We will also be sharing with you simple techniques that you can perform on your child.

What is TCM Paediatric Massage?

Since ancient times, this traditional treatment method has played an important role in both disease prevention and treatment of ailments. TCM Paediatric Massage relies on principles of TCM, and techniques performed are in strict compliance with clinical diagnosis. As a child has delicate and soft skin, different massage techniques are used compared to adult Tuina Massages. Children also have unique acupoints that consist of areas and linear points. We will be sharing some straightforward techniques that can be easily picked up by you to help with your child’s general wellness as well.

 

 

Why is TCM Paediatric Massage more popular now?

Not only does it bring about great benefits, it is also a safe and efficient treatment. Paediatric Massage is not painful or harsh like Tuina massages usually done on adults – the techniques used are different due to differences in the physiology of children and adults. More importantly, physical touch plays a vital role in healing¹ and this gentle form of treatment will be able to keep children free from medical-related stress they would otherwise experience in hospitals or with taking medications. Now let us explain your children’s physiology and the basis of how this massage works in treating your child’s issues.

Understanding Children Physiology from TCM perspective

The physiology of a child is different from that of an adult in the following aspects:

1. Firstly, their internal Zang-Fu organs are delicate, especially their Lung, Spleen and Kidney, and their physiological functions have yet to fully mature. Therefore it is easier for external pathogens to enter their body and easier for their digestive system to be affected by the food they take in.
2. Secondly, due to the incomplete development of Yin and Yang in their body, there is a higher tendency to see Yin and Yang imbalances in children. Their body’s self-defenses and self-regulation mechanisms are therefore weaker. Disease progression is also fast in children, and may easily progress into more complicated forms within a short period of time. As such, a quick response is vital.
3. While the balance between Yin and Yang in children is delicate and easily upset, it has a tendency to tilt towards Yang. Children have vibrant and rapid growth and physicians in ancient times have pointed out that the body constitution of a child is full of Yang energy, like a rising sun in the morning. Hence, it is common to see “excess Yang, insufficient Yin” body constitution in a child.
4. The advantage of the children’s body is that due to the highly pure and clean state of the body, children are able to heal at a much faster rate, as long as immediate action is taken to combat the problem.

What are the benefits of TCM Paediatric Massage?

Understanding the children’s physiology, we know that children are more prone to falling sick, and once sick, the disease progresses and worsens rapidly. If the child has strong immunity, the recovery is similarly quick. Essentially, this means fast response is vital and also reflects the importance of preventive measures to strengthen the child’s immunity. TCM Paediatric Massage elicits fast response by directly stimulating related organ systems to correct the issue at hand and is also a safe long term preventive measure for your kids.

TCM Paediatric Massage can be used to treat a wide range of diseases in children. In particular, the effects of Pediatric Massage for common pediatric diseases of the respiratory system and digestive system are pronounced, making this a go-to treatment for such problems². When a child has a disease, it is usually due to disturbance in normal Qi of certain internal Zang-Fu or due to imbalances in Yin and Yang. By massaging a certain part of the child’s body, the corresponding Zang-Fu in the body will be regulated through meridians to help restore the normal flow, thereby achieving healing. Similarly, through correct massage actions, Yin and Yang imbalances can be corrected. With proper diagnosis, this massage treatment is able to target the root of the issues and capable of treating chronic conditions.

In addition to the treatment of diseases, Paediatric Massage can also be used to strengthen the health and immunity of the child, improving their body constitution and increasing the child’s resistance against diseases. Modern research has shown that Paediatric Massage has a positive effect on not only the physiological functions of the body but also the psychological functions as well, with a very strong effect on reducing anxiety in children³.

Learning simple paediatric massage techniques

As mentioned, there are 3 internal organs in the children where Qi deficiency is more prominent, with Spleen being one of the aforementioned organs. The Spleen is responsible for the intake, processing and distribution of nutrients from food, in the form of Essence, that is essential to our body’s function. Deficiency of Spleen-qi in children can result in weaker digestion, causing symptoms such as diarrhoea, poor appetite, indigestion and bloated stomach.

Knowing how important the Spleen is in helping children absorb sufficient nutrients to strengthen their body and grow well, let’s see how you can help your child strengthen their Spleen with simple techniques, specifically in combating the issue of indigestion. The following techniques should be done on the left hand/leg. It can be done 2-3 times a day when your child is suffering from indigestion.

1) 补脾经 Nourishing the Spleen Meridian Location: On the side of thumb away from the other fingers. Action: Brush downwards from the tip of the thumb towards the root of the thumb. Frequency: 120 – 280 times.
2) 清胃经 or 清大肠经 Clearing the Stomach Meridian Location: Base of the palm, below the thumb Action: Brush upwards from the base of the palm towards the root of the thumb Frequency: 120 – 280 times
3) 揉板门 Knead Ban Men Location: Fleshy part between thumb and base of the palm Action: Knead in a circular motion towards the palm Frequency: 100 – 500 times
4) 顺运内八卦 Clockwise motion of Ba Gua Location: Palm Action: Move in a clockwise circular motion on the palm Frequency: 100 – 300 times
5) 揉掐四横缝 Knead and pinch the 4 horizontal seam Location: Finger joint closer to the palm on the 4 longer fingers Action: Using the thumb, knead and pinch the joint area Frequency: 10 times
6) 揉足三里 Massaging Zu San Li Location: Below the knee, on the outer side of the leg Action: Using the thumb, knead the Zu San Li area Frequency: 40 – 50 times
7) 分腹阴阳 Separating the Yin Yang of the stomach Location: On the abdominal area just below the ribs Action: Pull thumb outwards gently from both sides, right below the ribs Frequency: 100 – 300 times
8) 捏脊 Rolling on the spine Location: On the spine, at the back Action: Using both fingers from both hands to pinch the flesh over the spine, roll from the bottom up towards the neck Frequency: 3 – 6 times

 

Indications and restrictions

Paediatric Massage is suitable for children 12 years old and below and can be used to help treat a wide range of diseases in children. It is however not suitable for those with infectious diseases, such as chickenpox and hand-foot-mouth disease, or for fractures and open wounds, cancer and bleeding disorders.

As much as Paediatric Massage is a safe therapeutic approach, a proper diagnosis is recommended before proceeding with massages. Head on down to Oriental Remedies clinics to receive proper diagnosis and allow our physicians to provide that healing touch your child needs to get better. Please contact us at +65 8742 2163 for a personalized consultation.

 

Article by
Hannie Hong (Oriental Remedies Group, Singapore), also a registered therapist certified by the Lymphology Association of Asia

Note: all words in Italics mentioned henceforth refer to the TCM organ system and not the anatomical organs/terms referenced in western medicine.

References:

1. Goleman, D. (1988, February 02). The Experience of Touch: Research Points to a Critical Role. Retrieved January 30, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/02/science/the-experience-of-touch-research-points-to-a-critical-role.html
2. Pediatric Tui Na Treats a Variety of Childhood Ailments. (2019, January 08). Retrieved January 25, 2019, from https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2015/01/19/pediatric-tui-na-treats-variety-childhood-ailments
3. Beider S, Mahrer NE, Gold J.I.(December 2007). Pediatric Massage Therapy: An Overview for Clinicians. Pediatric Clinics of North America,54(6), 1025-1041. Retrieved January 26, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18061789.
4. 东, 廖 品. (2016). 小儿的生理病理特点. In 小儿推拿学(2nd ed., pp. 20-22). 北京: 人民卫生出版社.
5. 小儿推拿师教你用脾经、肺经、大肠经给孩子治病！. (2017, October 06). Retrieved from http://www.sohu.com/a/196543781_99918052
6. 宝宝积食不用怕，这些推拿方法赶紧学！. (n.d.). Retrieved January 25, 2019, from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/JRmBGk7-uEuSporxK7g-uw