Rickets is a common chronic nutritional deficiency disease in infants and young children, mostly seen in children under 3 years old, often associated with inadequate sun exposure. In medicine, it is also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this disease is mainly caused by inadequate congenital endowment, postnatal feeding imbalance, and weakness of the spleen and stomach. So, in traditional Chinese medical treatment, is infant rickets massage effective?
Is Infant Rickets Massage Effective?
Infant rickets massage has a certain therapeutic effect.
Infant rickets, commonly known as "soft bone disease," is a chronic nutritional deficiency disease mainly affecting bone growth and muscle development. It is more common in children under 3 years old. The prevention and treatment of rickets mainly focus on calcium supplementation and vitamin D supplementation. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the spleen governs muscles and the kidneys govern bones. Massage related acupoints can help tonify the spleen and kidneys, and alleviate infant rickets. The following massage techniques are mainly used for infant rickets.
Tonify Spleen Meridian 100-300 Times
Location: The spiral surface of the thumb tip.
Procedure: The parent uses their thumb to rotate and massage the spiral surface of the child's thumb, until there is a localized sore and swollen sensation.
Tonify Kidney Meridian 100-300 Times
Location: The spiral surface of the little finger tip.
Procedure: The parent straightens the child's little finger and massages the spiral surface from its base to the fingertip, 100-300 times.
Massage Xiaotianxin Point for 1-3 Minutes
Location: The depression at the junction of the palm and the base of the little finger.
Procedure: The parent uses their thumb or middle finger to rotate and massage the Xiaotianxin point in a circular motion for 1-3 minutes.
Pinch the Spine 5 Times
Location: A straight line from Dazhui to the end of the tailbone.
Procedure: The parent uses their index and middle fingers, with the thumb below, to pinch and knead from the child's tailbone to the Dazhui acupoint. After kneading 3 times alternately, gently lift the fingers upward once.
Massage Zusanli Point for 1-3 Minutes
Location: About four fingers below the outer eye of the lower knee (using the child's hand as a reference), on the outer side of the shinbone.
Procedure: The parent bends the child's legs slightly and uses the thumb to knead and massage the Zusanli point. Stop when there is a localized sore and swollen sensation.
Massage Baihui Point for 1-3 Minutes
Location: The intersection point of the midline of the head and the line connecting the tips of both ears.
Procedure: The parent supports the child's head with one hand and uses the thumb to massage the Baihui point.
Press and Massage Sanyinjiao Point
Location: On the inner side of the lower leg, 3 inches above the inner ankle, behind the medial edge of the shinbone.
Procedure: Press and massage the Sanyinjiao point with the pad of the index finger, pressing twice and massaging three times, for 1 minute.
Care and Taboos for Infant Rickets
1. If this disease can be treated with massage in the early stages, it can enhance the physique, increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by the small intestine mucosa, and improve symptoms.
2. Pay attention to maternal health care. Outdoor activities are recommended for pregnant women, and children should be exposed to more sunlight.
3. Infants should be primarily breastfed. If breast milk is insufficient, appropriate nutritional supplements should be added. Ensure the infant's nutrition, especially the intake of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin D.
4. Do not make infants sit, stand, and walk prematurely or excessively, and pay attention to the correct posture for sitting and walking.
