Spring is a season of temperature fluctuations, with warm days and cold nights. It is also a high season for coughing, especially for children who have lower resistance and are more prone to coughing. Many parents prefer not to use medication to relieve their children's coughs. So what are some methods to treat a child's cough? It is said that massage therapy is effective for treating coughs in children. Let's learn more about it below.
Massage therapy for children's coughs
To treat a child's cough, you can also try massage therapy:
Step 1: Position the child in a supine position, preferably with the parent standing on the right side. Open the right hand with all five fingers, using the fingertips as the focal point. Gently massage the chest along the ribs for 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Use the middle finger to massage the Renzhong acupoint on the child for 10-30 seconds. Then, hold the child's hands with the left hand and use the right thumb to rub and massage the outer side of the child's arms. If the skin becomes red, it is sufficient. You can apply some powder or oil beforehand to prevent abrasions.
Step 3: Have the child lie prone, hold the child's chest with the left hand, and massage the child's back with the palm of the right hand for a few minutes. After the skin becomes red, focus on the acupoints on both sides of the shoulder blades, and use the heel of the palm to massage the area between the shoulder blades and the spine for about 3-5 minutes.
Proper massage can relieve coughs
1. Back tapping: Infants and young children do not know how to expectorate phlegm, so they can only swallow it. When the baby starts coughing, you can gently tap the back of the baby's body with an open palm, paying attention to evenly tapping all areas. If a certain area triggers a cough when tapped, pay more attention to that area to help expel the phlegm. It is best to tap the back when the baby has just woken up or before going to bed.
2. Foot sole massage: Massaging the soles of the feet is an effective method for treating coughs. The specific method is to rub each foot 30 times, then massage each foot for 20-40 times, making sure to massage each toe. When the baby has a cough or tonsillitis, the area on both sides of the big toe root on the sole will be very painful, so massaging this area is the most effective. After the massage, give the baby plenty of warm water or saline water. Dietary therapy can also be combined for better results.
Two effective remedies for preventing "colds"
The director of the Pediatric Research Institute suggests that parents can use boiling water to steep onions and ginger, and let the child inhale the steam to effectively prevent colds. Pediatric doctors recommend the following remedies to prevent colds.
1. Nasal sniffing method: Suitable for symptoms: colds Ingredients: 60g scallion, 9g ginger Usage: Crush them and pour them into a cup of boiling water. Inhale the steam while it is hot. Several times a day. Mainly used for early stage of a child's cold.
2. Navel application method: Suitable for symptoms: cough accompanying a cold Ingredients: 6g almonds, 6g peach kernels, 6g white mustards, 3g burdock seeds, 3g borneol, 3g mint, appropriate amount of honey Usage: Grind the above ingredients into fine powder, mix with honey to form a paste, and apply the paste to the navel. Change the paste once a day, and the symptoms will improve after 5 days.
How to help children avoid colds and coughs in spring
1. Ensure that children get enough rest.
2. Encourage children to drink plenty of water. Drinking plenty of water not only helps flush out viruses and bacteria in the throat, but also helps replenish the lost fluids due to sweating during fever.
3. Keep warm. Adjust clothing according to the situation. After the child sweats, wipe off the sweat with warm water and change into clean clothes in a timely manner.
4. Maintain a balanced diet. Children with colds often lose their appetite, so parents should provide liquid or semi-liquid foods such as milk, yogurt, and congee. At the same time, encourage them to eat more fresh fruits, which can provide a large amount of vitamin C to help fight viruses.
