7 POWERFUL ACUPRESSURE POINTS FOR KIDS

BY ROBIN RAY GREEN, L.AC. MTCM

PRESS HERE: 7 POWERFUL ACUPRESSURE POINTS FOR KIDS

WHAT IS ACUPRESSURE?

A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

BY ROBIN RAY GREEN, L. AC.

Have you ever wondered how pressing a point on your body has a healing effect? For instance, how can a point on your hand treat a headache? Or a point on your leg can treat digestive problems? Is it possible that something this simple could be powerful?

Acupressure is a healing modality that has been around for over 4,000 years! It has stood the test of time and treats a wide variety of health conditions. But, there are a few key things you need to know to get the best results with it.

While acupressure may seem strange at first, when you understand the energetic system of your body it all makes sense. What is this energetic system? It’s a foundational concept in one of the oldest forms of medicine still around today – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). One of the key concepts in TCM is the idea that we have Qi and meridians.

The word Qi (pronounced chee) can be translated in many different ways, but the most common definition is a vital force or energy that flows through our body. Qi flows within specific pathways called meridians. There are 12 main meridians that are distributed around the body internally and externally. They branch off into smaller and smaller channels, carrying Qi, or energy, to every organ, tissue, and cell in the body. It’s similar to the way arteries distribute blood to the whole body, but in the case of meridians, they carry Qi.

The meridian system could be considered an additional system in the body akin to the nervous system or the circulatory system. Just as each system comprises a vast network that covers and connects the entire body, so does the meridian system. The reason you can use a point on your hand to treat your headache is because there is a meridian that travels from the hand to the head. The most powerful points on the meridians are located below.

© 2016 ROBIN GREEN ACUPUNCTURE, INC. ACUPRESSURE | 1

PRESS HERE: 5 POWERFUL ACUPRESSURE POINTS FOR KIDS

WHAT IS ACUPRESSURE?

The advantages of using acupressure is that it is safe and effective, no special tools are required other than your hands, and you can do it anywhere.

Pain and illness are seen as blocks in the flow of Qi. According to acupressure expert Michael Reed Gach, “Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches and tension due to stress.”

Another important concept in TCM is that our health is a manifestation of flow. In order to be healthy and stay alive, our breath must flow in and out, our blood must flow in our arteries, and veins and nerve impulses must flow from synapse to synapse. In the same way, our Qi must flow unimpeded in our meridians.

If our Qi becomes congested in one area due to trauma, whether emotional or physical, it can affect the body, mind, and/or spirit, thereby leading to pain, illness, or depression. Qi can also become congested or stagnant due to poor diet, lack of sleep, stress, or any number of issues that build up over a long period of time.

Think of it this way: blockages in the flow of Qi are like a kink in a hose. If the water in the hose can no longer reach the flowers, the flowers will wilt and eventually die. To save the flowers, we must understand what’s causing the kink, then we can unkink the hose and restore the flow of the water to the flowers. Thus, restoring the flow of Qi in the meridians can resolve illness and restore health and well-being by creating balance in the body.

We can restore the flow of Qi and treat illness by stimulating the acupuncture points on the meridians. There are many ways we can do this. Acupuncture, acupressure, massage, lasers, and microcurrent are a few ways we can restore the flow of Qi and treat illness.

Disclaimer: This guide is NOT medical or nursing advice and will not take the place of advice from licensed health care professionals based on you or your child’s personal medical history. Robin Green Acupuncture, Inc. does NOT assume liability for any information contained herein. Individual results may vary.

© 2016 ROBIN GREEN ACUPUNCTURE, INC. ACUPRESSURE | 2

Yintang

LI-20 ACUPRESSURE GUIDELINES

Most Powerful Points for Kids

Each acupressure point is found by looking and feeling for what’s called “anatomical landmarks.” As you search for the point with your fingers, often you’ll sense a change in the way the muscle tissue feels, such as a knot or tightness or a dip in the muscle tissue that creates a bit of a hollow. The pictures will help guide you to find the point, then your fingers will help you find the location more specifically on your child’s body.

How to Apply Pressure by Age:

• For up to 12 months: 10 seconds
• For 1–2 years: 20 seconds
• For 2–4 years: 30 seconds
• For 5–6 years: 40 seconds
• For 6 years and up: 1 min or so

Many parents I’ve worked with are concerned that they’re doing it wrong, but you don’t have to be! Acupressure is fairly forgiving, so even if you’re not exactly on a point, you’ll usually get close enough to the meridian for the pressure to still be effective. The size of the points vary—some points are about the size of a quarter while others are around the size of a dime. While there are several acupressure techniques that can be used, I find that firm pressure or firm pressure with kneading are the easiest ways to stimulate the acupressure points on children.

Point Indications

Acupressure points treat a variety of conditions based on the meridian it is located on. Some indications are for local issues, but more often they are used for problems further along the meridian.

Start with light pressure and gradually increase, then apply firm pressure for 10 to 60 seconds, depending on the child’s age. The pressure should be firm, without causing any pain. Every child’s optimal level of pressure will be different. Some children like extremely firm pressure, while others prefer a very soft and gentle touch. In addition, each area of the body will have a different sensitivity and require different amounts of pressure. Rest assured, the amount of pressure is not related to how effective the acupressure session will be.

A C U P R E S S U R E | 3 © 2016 ROBIN GREEN ACUPUNCTURE, INC.

P-6 ACUPRESSURE GUIDELINES

Most Powerful Points for Kids

Large Intestine (LI) 4 (see page 3) is located on the top of the hand on the web of skin between the thumb and pointer finger, midway along the finger bone. LI 4 is used for headache, neck pain, nasal congestion, bloody nose, toothache, sore throat, fever, abdominal pain, febrile seizures, pain and weakness of the hand or arm.*

Pericardium (P) 6 is located two finger width (your child's fingers) from the wrist crease between the tendons. It is used for motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, cough, stomachache, hiccups, anxiety, insomnia, and pain in the wrist or arm.*

Stomach (ST) 36 is located 3 finger width (your child's fingers) below the knee cap on the outside of the lower leg. It is used to treat stomachache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, failure to thrive, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, and knee and leg pain.*

Acupressure Tools

In addition to pressure, acupressure magnets and ear seeds are also very helpful because you can apply them to the points and they’ll provide a small amount of pressure while you’re wearing them. It’s an easy way to set it and forget it. Make sure you remove the magnets or ear seeds every 24 – 48 hours and allow your skin to breathe for a while before reapplying in the same spot.

For acupressure magnets and other supplies visit www.lhasaoms.com. To get a Deluxe Kid's Ear Seed Kit visit www.earseeds.com.

Frequency of Treatment

Just holding the points for a few seconds once in a while doesn’t work well. To be effective, it’s best to use acupressure on a consistent daily basis. This means applying pressure on the points at least once daily. For acute conditions, acupressure should be applied two to four times daily. Acupressure can also be used preventatively. If you suspect your child is coming down with a cold start using the acupressure points immediately several times daily.

About the Author

Robin Ray Green is a pediatric acupuncture specialist with over a decade of clinical experience treating kids. She is a published Hay House author and her book Heal Your Child from the Inside Out was released October 18, 2016. For more support for your child's issue, be sure to visit www.robinraygreen.com. You can connect with Robin on Facebook @authorRobinRayGreen.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

A C U P R E S S U R E | 4 © 2016 ROBIN GREEN ACUPUNCTURE, INC.