Childhood food retention is a common symptom in children, mainly referring to the gastrointestinal disorder caused by excessive undigested food stagnation in the stomach and intestines. It is difficult for children with food retention to express their discomfort, so parents need to be observant of their child's physical symptoms and promptly identify and treat the condition.
Symptoms of Childhood Food Retention
1. Child is easily irritable
If your child has been frequently irritable and prone to crying, it may be a sign of discomfort. This could be due to food retention, as a child's discomfort often manifests through these behaviors.
2. Child has a fever
During the cold weather, children have a lower immune system, making them more prone to fever. Parents are usually attentive to adding or removing clothing for their child, but sometimes the child still develops a fever. This can be a result of food retention leading to the fever.
3. Grinding teeth during sleep
When a child is uncomfortable, they naturally won't sleep well at night and may cry or become restless. Some children even grind their teeth during sleep, which can be a symptom of indigestion and food retention.
Massage Techniques for Childhood Food Retention
1. Spinal kneading
Location: From the tailbone to the thoracic vertebrae, knead the spine from bottom to top.
Effect: Strengthening the body, invigorating the spleen and replenishing qi.
2. Rubbing Zusanli (ST 36)
Location: Zusanli is located on the anterior outer side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the outer knee and one horizontal fingerbreadth from the anterior edge of the tibia.
Effect: Invigorating the spleen and stomach, regulating the middle burner, stopping diarrhea, and promoting bowel movements. It is commonly used to prevent and treat abdominal distension, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
3. Abdominal massage
Location: Around the navel, massage clockwise slowly.
Effect: Facilitating digestion, regulating qi, and promoting intestinal health.
Four Grinding Decoction for Food Retention
Composition: 6g of ginseng, betel nut, and agarwood, and 10g of Tiantai Wuyao.
Usage: Decoction with water. Grind the four ingredients into a concentrated powder, mix with water, boil for three to five minutes, and consume when cooled.
Efficacy and indications: Promotes qi movement, resolves stagnation, and treats liver qi stagnation. Symptoms include chest tightness, shortness of breath, distention and fullness below the heart, loss of appetite, and a wiry pulse.
Four Grinding Decoction is commonly used for liver qi stagnation combined with rebellious qi. The key diagnosis points are chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Contraindications: This formula is a strong purgative for qi movement and resolving stagnation. It should be used with caution for those with spleen deficiency and kidney deficiency presenting with chest tightness and fullness.
