Paediatric Tui Na 小儿推拿

What it is

Hands-on massage along particular points and lines on a child's hands, arms, back and tummy. The pressure is light and the strokes are repetitive and rhythmic.

The techniques are specific to children rather than a scaled-down adult massage.

What a session is like

Short — usually a good deal shorter than an adult appointment, because a child's attention is. A parent stays in the room throughout. Younger children often sit on a parent's lap for the whole session.

Some children find it soothing and some wriggle. Both are normal, and the physician works around it rather than against it. Bringing a familiar toy or book helps.

Before the first session

Tell the physician your child's age, anything they are being seen for by a doctor, any medication or supplement they take, and any allergy. Bring a paediatrician's report if you have a recent one.

A child who is unwell with a fever is better seen by a doctor first. Say so when booking and the clinic will advise.

Afterwards

Children are often either sleepy or livelier than usual for a while. Keep them warm, offer water, and mention at the next visit how they were for the rest of that day — that is what the physician adjusts on.