Cerebral Palsy in Children, also known as infantile cerebral palsy or simply cerebral palsy, refers to a syndrome characterized by posture and movement dysfunction primarily caused by non-progressive brain damage during the immature stage of brain development within one month after birth. It is a common central nervous system disorder in childhood, with the lesion primarily located in the brain, affecting the limbs, often accompanied by intellectual disability, epilepsy, behavioral abnormalities, mental disorders, and symptoms such as vision, hearing, and language impairments.
Next, let's take a look at how traditional Chinese massage can treat cerebral palsy in children!
Traditional Chinese Massage for Cerebral Palsy in Children
The technique for treating cerebral palsy in children combines Chinese massage and manipulation, which requires a light, gentle, steady, and firm touch. Common techniques include pushing, moving, kneading, pressing, massaging, pinching, and squeezing. Human movement is achieved through the support of the skeletal system, joints as pivots, and muscle contractions and relaxations as the driving force.
The key symptoms of cerebral palsy in children are functional and postural disorders caused by motor dysfunction. Flexibly and skillfully using these techniques in treatment, the greatest advantage is that massage can relieve muscle spasms, promote local blood circulation, accelerate metabolism, regulate the function of the nervous system, and achieve pain relief, gradually relaxing the spastic limbs and gradually extending the contracted muscles, thus accelerating the recovery process during the growth and development of the affected child.
Acupoints for Treating Cerebral Palsy in Children
Press Jianjing to invigorate the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body, and this technique is often used at the beginning and end of treatment, and can also treat upper limb dysfunction.
For upper limb paralysis, use Jianliao, Quchi, Waiguan, and Hegu; for lower limb paralysis, use Huantiao, Biguan, Futu, and Zusanli; for weakness in the waist, use Shenyu and Yaoyangguan; for tension in the elbow joint, use Quchi and Hand Sanli; for foot inversion, use Kunlun; for foot eversion, use Sanyinjiao, Taixi, or Xuehai; for toe contracture, use JieXi and Shangqiu; for scissoring gait, use Yanglingquan, Juegu, etc. For intellectual disability, use Baihui, Fengchi, and Sishencong; for language impairments, use Tongli, Lianquan, Jingmen, and Yuyue, and so on.
Due to insufficient congenital endowment, most children with cerebral palsy have poor constitution, often accompanied by malnutrition, excessive sweating, and repeated upper respiratory tract infections. These factors severely affect the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment, and infections can exacerbate clinical symptoms such as spasticity, tension, or sluggishness in the limbs. The spleen and stomach are the foundation of acquired constitution, and with one point of stomach Qi comes one point of vitality. With strong spleen and stomach Qi, diseases are more likely to recover.
Prescription for health massage: Tonify the Spleen Meridian 200 times, massage the abdomen for 2-5 minutes, knead the spine 3-5 times, and pinch and rub Zusanli 50-100 times. For external pathogenic diseases and diet-induced injuries, use Jiebanzhu, Kangong, Taiyang, and Fengchi, etc.; for heat-clearing, use Qingheshui, Tuiliu, and Tuiji, etc.; for digestion, use Tui Spleen Meridian, rub Banmen, Zhongwan, and Tianchu, etc.
The above is some related information about traditional Chinese massage for treating cerebral palsy in children. Although massage cannot cure cerebral palsy in children very well, parents should also be careful and patient in treating their children, so as to better guide the improvement of their condition.
Prevention
1. During Pregnancy
Prevent rubella virus infection.
2. After Pregnancy
Undergo regular health check-ups: Pay attention to eliminating factors causing difficult delivery. If there is hypertension or diabetes, active treatment should be sought. Ensure nutrition and prevent premature birth. Avoid unnecessary medication. Choose a suitable maternity hospital based on the expected due date and be prepared for safe delivery.
3. After the Baby is Born
Pay special attention to the protection of premature babies, asphyxiated babies, and babies with severe jaundice, and provide necessary treatments such as oxygen therapy and incubators. Children with brain damage should be registered and followed up regularly for screening.
4. Encourage Breastfeeding
Administer the one-two-three vaccine, polio vaccine, rubella or tuberculosis immunization for infants.
5. Educate Parents to Identify Early Symptoms of Meningitis
Such as fever, neck stiffness, drowsiness, etc., once identified, seek timely treatment.
6. For Febrile Children
Undress them, wipe them with cold water, give them plenty of water to drink, and seek timely treatment.
7. Educate Parents to Pay Attention to Hydration for Children with Diarrhea
If the diarrhea is severe, seek medical attention promptly.
8. For Children with Delayed Motor Development, Abnormal Posture, Poor Breastfeeding, Startling and Sleeplessness, Muscles Too Soft or Too Hard
Pay attention to brain damage.
