How to Massage a Child with a Fever

Generally speaking, fever refers to an elevated body temperature. When a child has a fever, the following acupoints and massage techniques may be selected: Heavenly River Water (Tian He Shui), Pushing the Six Fu Organs (Tui Liu Fu), Opening the Heavenly Gate (Kai Tian Men), Pushing the坎宫 (Kan Gong), and Kneading the Sun (Rou Tai Yang). If symptoms persist, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Heavenly River Water (Tian He Shui)

The Heavenly River Water point is mainly located on the midline of the inner side of a child's forearm, along the straight line from the wrist crease to the elbow crease. During massage, the fleshy parts of the index and middle fingers can be used to gently knead the area, which helps clear internal heat, cool the blood, promote urination, and relieve irritability, thereby assisting in reducing fever.

2. Pushing the Six Fu Organs (Tui Liu Fu)

On the lateral side of the forearm near the connection between the elbow and wrist joints in children, there is a pathway leading directly to the six fu organs. During massage, the fleshy part of the thumb can be used to push from the elbow joint down the forearm toward the side of the little finger's wrist. This technique helps clear internal heat, stop sweating, and expel heat pathogens from the body.

3. Opening the Heavenly Gate (Kai Tian Men)

The Heavenly Gate acupoint is located at a point 0.5 cun directly above the midpoint of the line connecting the two eyebrows, extending upward toward the anterior hairline. During the massage, the practitioner pushes from the Yintang point (between the eyebrows) upward to the Shenting point (on the forehead). This action helps dispel wind, resolve exterior syndromes, balance yin and yang, and stimulate consciousness, aiding in fever reduction.

4. Pushing the坎宫 (Kan Gong)

During this technique, the practitioner should push from the inner end of the eyebrow outward toward the temple, continuing until a mild warmth is felt in the area. This method helps resolve exterior syndromes and reduce fever, while also promoting blood and qi circulation to assist the body in expelling heat pathogens.

5. Kneading the Sun (Rou Tai Yang)

This technique involves massaging the Taiyang acupoint to assist in reducing fever. The practitioner uses the fingertip of the thumb or middle finger to gently knead the depressions located at the back and outer sides of the child's eyebrows. This acupoint helps dispel wind and cold, improve vision, relieve headaches, and alleviate head discomfort caused by fever.

It should be noted that massage is only an auxiliary method for reducing fever and cannot completely replace medical treatment with medications. Therefore, it is recommended to promptly develop an appropriate treatment plan based on the child's specific condition to avoid delays in treatment.