🧠 Head Massage for Children During Exam Period: Boost Memory, Focus, and Brain Vitality with TCM Acupressure

Exam time can be stressful for children, leading to tiredness, poor concentration, and even sleep disturbances. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), certain acupressure points on the head are known to stimulate brain function, calm the mind, and support better focus and memory. With gentle massage techniques, parents can help their children relax while enhancing cognitive performance naturally.

🎯 Key Acupressure Points

1. Si Shen Cong – “Four Alert Spirit Points”

• Location: A group of four points surrounding Bai Hui, located 1 cun (about a thumb’s width) anterior, posterior, and lateral to Bai Hui.

• Function:

• Enhances memory and mental clarity

• Calms hyperactivity

• Supports restful sleep

• Used in TCM to treat poor concentration and brain fatigue

2. Bai Hui  – “Hundred Meetings”

• Location: At the crown of the head, on the midline between the tops of the ears.

• Function:

• Lifts Yang and clears the mind

• Improves mental alertness

• Relieves stress and anxiety

• Balances brain Qi and blood flow

3. Tai Yang  – “Sun Point”

• Location: At the temples, in the slight depression about 1 finger-width behind the midpoint between the eye and the ear.

• Function:

• Calms the mind

• Relieves eye strain and headache

• Helps clear the head when overstimulated

4. Yin Tang  – “Hall of Impression”

• Location: Between the eyebrows.

• Function:

• Calms Shen (spirit)

• Promotes relaxation

• Aids with sleep and anxiety

5. Feng Chi  – “Wind Pool”

• Location: At the base of the skull, in the depressions between the two neck muscles.

• Function:

• Improves mental fatigue and dizziness

• Promotes circulation to the head

• Relieves neck tension from long hours of study

✋ Simple Head Massage Routine (5–10 mins)

1. Start with calming strokes:

• Use both hands to gently stroke from the forehead over the top of the head to the back (3–5 times).

• Helps calm and ground your child.

2. Stimulate Bai Hui & Si Shen Cong:

• Use your index and middle fingers to press gently on Bai Hui for 5 seconds, release, then repeat.

• Move your fingers around Bai Hui to massage all 4 Si Shen Cong points in small circular motions for 1 minute.

3. Massage Yin Tang & Tai Yang:

• Use your thumb to rub Yin Tang gently in circles.

• Then use fingertips to massage Tai Yang points on both sides in a gentle, rhythmic motion.

4. Release the neck at Feng Chi:

• Use your thumbs to press and knead both Feng Chi points for 30 seconds to relieve tension and improve blood flow to the brain.

5. Finish with calming strokes again:

• End with full-head stroking from front to back to soothe the nervous system.

🛌 When and How Often?

• Best Time: Before bedtime or before/after study sessions

• Frequency: Once daily during exam season, or 3–4 times a week as maintenance

🍵 Bonus Tips for Exam Season (TCM Perspective):

• Include brain-boosting foods: goji berries (Gou Qi Zi), walnuts (He Tao Ren), and longan (Long Yan Rou)

• Ensure balanced sleep and avoid overstimulation before bedtime

• Encourage deep breathing or gentle Qigong to settle the mind

❤️ Final Thoughts

This gentle head massage not only supports your child’s cognitive functions and memory but also creates a moment of care and bonding during a stressful time. When done regularly, it helps restore balance and promotes mental calmness—something every child needs during exams.