Acupressure as an Option to Treat Common Childhood Concerns

Acupressure is a gentle, non-invasive form of acupuncture, during which a gentle pressure using a finger or thumb is used to stimulate one or more "acupuncture points." Acupuncture points, in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, are found along meridians, and various points are used to exert different balancing influences on the body. The balancing and opposing forces of yin and yang are considered in the assessment and treatment of any condition. For example, some colds and flus are more "yang" or hot in their nature – with high fevers, red cheeks and sweating, whereas others are more "yin," with chills, shivering and paleness. For a yang condition, an individual would want to support the yin aspects of the body.

Although acupressure is derived from the practice of acupuncture, and there are trained acupuncturists throughout Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, there are a number of gentle and safe acupressure tips that you can employ for your infant or child.

For example, there is a combination of four points used in acupressure or acupuncture called the "four gates." Each hand and foot has one of these points called Large Intestine 4 and Liver 3 (see illustration 1 & 2). By providing acupressure, gently but firmly massaging these points, you calm your child's nervous system, and can help decrease the effects of motion sickness, hyperactivity, insomnia and headaches.

Kidney 3 and Kidney 7 (illustration 3) can be used to treat bed wetting in children, and Stomach 36 can be used for an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, and colic.

There are many different books that provide guidelines about bodywork, manual therapy, and acupressure for parents and children. My personal favourite provides a wonderful review of how to incorporate acupressure at home to alleviate various health concerns, and provides a number of illustrative pictures so that parents can learn the basics, and provide some relief for their children immediately. Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child is a book of common childhood illnesses and their treatment options that has been a collaborative effort between a Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist, a Medical Doctor, and a Nurse.