Pediatric diarrhea can occur throughout the year, with a higher incidence in the summer and autumn. Children with weak spleen function often have difficulty in warming and transforming food, leading to improper digestion and absorption. This can cause the large intestine to lose control and result in diarrhea, known as spleen deficiency type diarrhea. Let's take a look at the massage techniques for treating pediatric spleen deficiency diarrhea.
Main Symptoms of Pediatric Spleen Deficiency Diarrhea
With prolonged diarrhea, bowel movements become loose and thin, with a pale or light yellow color. The stool does not have a foul odor and undigested grains can be found. The child may experience poor appetite, weight loss, pale complexion, and fatigue. Other symptoms include pale lips and tongue, white coating on the tongue, weak and feeble pulse, and pale red fingerprints.
Analysis of Symptoms of Pediatric Spleen Deficiency Diarrhea
With prolonged illness, the body's Qi becomes weak and unable to recover, resulting in chronic diarrhea. The weakened digestive function leads to water transforming into dampness, causing diarrhea immediately after eating and resulting in loose and pale stools that cannot fully digest grains. However, there is no presence of pathogenic heat or decay, therefore, there is no foul odor. Spleen deficiency leads to lack of appetite, while stomach weakness results in decreased food intake. The inability to effectively digest food leads to insufficient nourishment of both the physical and mental aspects, resulting in fatigue and weight loss. The appearance of the tongue, pulse, and fingerprints all indicate Qi deficiency.
Massage Prescription for Pediatric Spleen Deficiency Diarrhea
Treatment principles: Strengthen the spleen and Qi, and raise Yang to stop diarrhea.
Massage prescription: Tonify the Earth meridian of the spleen, tonify the stomach meridian and apply horizontal strokes to the abdomen. Rub Zusanli acupoint on the foot, push San Guan acupoint, soothe the Liver meridian, rub Baihui acupoint, and follow the flow of the Eight Trigrams to push along four horizontal lines. Activate the Earth element and enter the Water element, tonify the large intestine, push up along the seven sections, and rub the tail of the turtle.
Explanation of Pediatric Spleen Deficiency Diarrhea Massage Prescription
Zusanli is an important acupoint for strengthening the spleen and stomach, and it is effective in nourishing Qi and blood. San Guan helps to tonify Qi and blood, and warm and nourish the spleen and kidneys. These two acupoints are used to treat the root cause. The Liver meridian is responsible for regulating the flow of Qi and the Wood element, assisting in digestion and transformation. Baihui acupoint can lift and raise Yang Qi. Combining these acupoints with the appropriate massage techniques can achieve the dual purpose of treating both symptoms and the root cause of the condition.
Daily Care for Pediatric Diarrhea
1. For children with severe acute diarrhea, it is important to observe for signs of dehydration and acidosis. If present, provide appropriate fluid and electrolyte support to correct the imbalance.
2. Pay attention to a diet that is high in carbohydrates and protein, and low in fat for easy digestion.
3. Avoid consuming raw, cold, greasy, gas-producing, and high-fiber foods after meals to prevent stimulation of intestinal peristalsis.
