Library

Chi Feng Yao Tou Fa (Red Phoenix Shaking Head Method)

This technique is suitable for both cold and heat syndromes, capable of unblocking collaterals and smoothing Qi. With the child's left palm facing upward, the practitioner uses the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the left hand to gently pinch the child's elbow joint (Dou Zhou). Then, using the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the right hand, first pinch the fingertip corresponding to the Heart Meridian, shaking it upwards and outwards clockwise twenty-four times. Next, do the same for the Liver Meridian fingertip, then the Spleen Meridian fingertip, then the Lung Meridian fingertip. Finally, pinch the Kidney Meridian fingertip again, shaking it clockwise twenty-four times. For female children, shake the right hand in the same upward and outward direction, twenty-four times each. This illustrates the principle of "clockwise for males, counter-clockwise for females."

Tui Wu Jing Fa (Pushing the Five Meridians Method)

The Five Meridians refer to the five fingertips corresponding to the Zang organs: Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney. The second and third phalanges correspond to the Fu organs. The practitioner supports the back of the child's hand with the four fingers of the left hand and pinches the palm. Using the curled index finger of the right hand, push and rotate along the underside of each fingertip, pushing straight upwards. Rotating to the right constitutes the tonifying method (Bu), while rotating to the left constitutes the sedating method (Xie). One must first perform straight pushing, then assess the child's cold-heat and deficiency-excess patterns. For the Heart, Liver, and Lung fingertips, apply either tonification or sedation as needed. The thumb, corresponding to the Spleen and Stomach, should be mostly tonified; if heat is severe, slight sedation may be applied. The Kidney Meridian can be tonified or sedated, or pushed towards the finger root.

Yun Nei Ba Gua Fa (Rotating the Inner Eight Trigrams Method)

This technique treats heart heat with phlegm confusion. The practitioner holds the four fingers of the child's left hand with the left hand, palm facing up, and supports the back of the hand with the four fingers of the right hand. Use the thumb to rotate from the Qian Trigram position to the Zhen Trigram position with slightly heavier pressure. Then, rotate lightly seven times to stabilize the Po (Corporeal Soul). Next, push from the Xun Trigram to the Dui Trigram (four trigrams), rotating lightly seven times as before to calm the Hun (Ethereal Soul). Rotate from Kun to Kan seven times to reduce fever. Rotate from Gen to Li seven times to induce sweating. If there is coughing, rotate from Li to Qian seven times, then directly push through the Kan and Li palaces seven times, representing the state of Water and Fire Interacting (Shui Huo Ji Ji).

Da Ma Guo Tian He Fa (Horse Beating Across the Heavenly River Method)

This technique has a cooling nature and can eliminate heat diseases. The practitioner pinches the Zong Jing point on the child's arm with the left thumb, and flicks it with the thumb and middle fingers of the right hand, resembling the motion of playing a stringed instrument. Flick from the Tian He region across to the Qu Chi point nine times. Then, press with the right thumb on the Jian Jing, Pi Pa, and Zou Ma acupoints, five times each.
Another method involves completing the rotation at Lao Gong, curling the fingers upward, and flicking with the fingernail at the Nei Guan, Yang Chi, Jian Shi, and Tian He acupoints. This is recorded in the *An Mo Jing* (Classic of Massage).

Shi Da Shou Fa (Ten Major Hand Techniques)

This technique treats milk stagnation complicated by cold invasion. With the child's left palm facing upward, the practitioner supports it with the middle, ring, and little fingers of both hands. Place the two thumbs gently between the San Guan and Liu Fu areas. Position the left index finger near the Liu Fu side and the right index finger near the San Guan side. Perform pinching and kneading in the center and sides. Start from the Zong Jing point, rotating cyclically until reaching the edge of the Qu Chi point. Span horizontally three fingers' width, moving from bottom to top repeatedly. Three to four rotations are optimal.