Parents who have babies at home know that many parents will learn to massage their babies after six months to help them grow. So what are the benefits of this magical spine massage therapy for babies? What are the precautions?
What is spine massage therapy?
Spine massage therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment method that uses the thumbs and index fingers of both hands to knead and twist the skin surface of the baby's back. Spine massage therapy can stimulate the autonomic nerves and ganglia of the human body, improve the body's immune function through complex neural and humoral factors, and regulate the visceral activity in a comprehensive and bidirectional manner, thereby preventing and treating various diseases.
The effects of spine massage on babies
1. Strengthening the spleen and stomach
Babies with weak spleen and stomach are prone to gastrointestinal diseases and do not know when they are hungry or full. If they eat too much high-energy foods such as fried foods, sweet foods, and high-protein foods, their spleen and stomach function can be affected, leading to stagnation, loss of appetite, and even indigestion and diarrhea. These spleen and stomach diseases can be treated with spine massage therapy.
2. Improving intelligence
Baby spine massage therapy can not only prevent and treat diseases, but also improve the child's intelligence to a certain extent. Spine massage can improve the function of the child's internal organs, prevent qi and blood deficiency, and promote the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body, indirectly improving the child's intelligence.
3. Enhancing immunity
Babies with lung diseases often have recurrent colds and coughs. Western medicine refers to this as immune deficiency, while traditional Chinese medicine believes it is due to weak defense against external pathogens and imbalances between yin and yang. Spine massage therapy can regulate yin and yang, strengthen the spleen and harmonize the lungs, thereby improving immunity and reducing respiratory infections.
4. Enhancing physical fitness
Baby massage therapy improves children's physical fitness and enhances their immune system by using acupressure, adjusting the organs, and dredging the meridians. Especially when the temperature suddenly drops, if the massage is applied properly, it can have a good health effect on children who are cold, have diarrhea, or have poor appetite.
5. Promoting sleep
Nighttime crying and sleep disturbances can be regulated through spine massage therapy. When the spleen and stomach function normally, the child will not experience bloating, abdominal pain, or a sense of fullness in the stomach, and will naturally be able to sleep peacefully.
6. Preventing enuresis and excessive sweating
Spine massage stimulates the autonomic nerves and ganglia on both sides of the spine, which can prevent enuresis and excessive sweating.
Precautions for massaging babies' spines
1. Babies should not be massaged on an empty stomach, and immediate massage after a meal should be avoided. Rest for 2 hours before massaging.
2. Spine massage therapy is suitable for babies aged six months to around seven years old. Babies younger than this age have delicate skin and can easily cause skin damage if the pressure is not controlled properly. Older children have thicker back muscles, which makes it difficult to lift them and affects the effectiveness of the acupressure.
3. Spine massage therapy should not be performed on babies with skin damage, abscesses, or skin diseases. It should be used with caution in babies with high fever, heart disease, or bleeding tendencies.
4. Spine massage therapy is more effective when performed in the morning after waking up or in the evening before bedtime. The entire back should be exposed, and efforts should be made to keep the back flat, straight, and the muscles relaxed.
5. Each session of spine massage should not be too long, preferably 3 to 5 minutes.
6. The indoor temperature should be moderate during the massage, the masseur's nails should be smooth, the hands should be warm, and the techniques should be gentle and agile. The force and speed should be even, and the massage should not be interrupted.
7. Spine massage therapy is suitable for babies aged six months to around seven years old. Babies younger than this age have delicate skin and can easily cause skin damage if the pressure is not controlled properly. Babies must be able to flip over and lie prone on their own before receiving spine massage therapy. Forcing a baby to lie prone when they are too young can cause unnecessary twisting injuries and even suffocation during the massage.
