Ji zhi is a common syndrome of stagnation in the spleen and stomach, referring to the stagnation and non-transformation of food, and the stagnation of qi. It can be caused by accumulation or occur independently. In treatment, tuina massage can be used to regulate the condition. Let's take a look at the tuina techniques for resolving accumulation in children.
Etiology and Pathogenesis of Accumulation and Stagnation in Children
Imbalanced diet: Children often have a deficient spleen and fragile gastrointestinal system. If improper feeding leads to damage from milk, it can impair the spleen and stomach, resulting in impaired digestion and accumulation of food.
Spleen deficiency: Weak spleen and stomach, or long-term illness causing damage, leading to weak stomach unable to decompose, and weak spleen unable to transport, resulting in undigested food accumulation in the body.
Tuina Techniques for Resolving Accumulation and Stagnation from Imbalanced Diet
Main symptoms: Distension and fullness in the epigastric region, resistance to pressure, crying due to pain and distention, aversion to food, belching, acid regurgitation, or accompanied by sour and foul-smelling vomit and diarrhea, with food residue. Pain and distention temporarily relieved after vomiting or diarrhea, restless sleep at night, hot palms and soles, or excessive body heat at night, pale and yellowish complexion, red tongue with thick and greasy coating, slippery and wiry pulse, and stagnant fingerprints.
Treatment principles: Dispel accumulation and promote smooth flow of qi, invigorate the middle and regulate qi.
Tuina techniques: Tonify the spleen earth, rub Banmen, rub Pishu, rub Zusanli, calm the liver wood, regulate internal movement, stimulate the outer bagua, push four horizontal lines, rub Tianshu, clear the large intestine, clear Tianhe water, withdraw the six fu organs, rub Xiaotianxin, and separate yin and yang of the hands.
Tuina rationale: Spleen earth, Banmen, Pishu, Zusanli, and other acupoints are commonly used for spleen and stomach diseases. Stimulating these acupoints can invigorate the spleen and stomach, promote digestion, and can be used for all spleen and stomach-related conditions. The liver governs dredging and excretion, regulating the liver wood can promote excretion and aid digestion. Regulating internal movement and outer bagua, pushing four horizontal lines, and rubbing Tianshu have the functions of ascending and descending qi, dispelling accumulation, and promoting smooth flow. Accumulation of food often generates heat, so clearing Tianhe water and withdrawing the six fu organs can clear heat from accumulation. Rubbing Xiaotianxin and separating yin and yang of the hands can balance yin and yang, calm the mind, but when separating yin and yang, yin should be emphasized over yang.
Tuina Techniques for Resolving Accumulation and Stagnation in the Spleen and Stomach
Main symptoms: Aversion to food, feeling bloated after eating, abdominal pain when overeating, sometimes accompanied by sour and foul-smelling diarrhea, frequent loose stools with food residue, fatigue, pale complexion, weak pulse, and pale red fingerprints.
Treatment principles: Tonify and nourish the spleen and stomach, regulate the middle and invigorate transportation.
Tuina techniques: Tonify the spleen earth, tonify Banmen, tonify Pishu, tonify Stomach Shu, rub Zusanli, push Sanguan, calm the liver wood, tonify kidney water, rub Wailao, regulate internal transportation of the eight guas, push four horizontal lines, rub Yiwo Feng.
Tuina rationale: Spleen earth, Banmen, Pishu, Stomach Shu, and Zusanli are commonly used acupoints for spleen and stomach disorders. Regularly stimulating these acupoints can strengthen the middle and invigorate transportation, thereby strengthening the foundation of the body and promoting the transformation of qi and blood to nourish the five viscera. Sanguan is an important acupoint for invigorating the body and can warm and nourish the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach prefer warmth over cold, and spleen deficiency often manifests as cold symptoms. Therefore, combining Sanguan with tonification can have a dual effect of treating both the root and the branch. Kidney water and Wailao can tonify the fire of the Mingmen and warm the spleen earth. Regulating internal transportation of the eight guas, pushing four horizontal lines, and rubbing Yiwo Feng can warm the middle and regulate qi, harmonizing the five viscera.
Nursing Do's and Don'ts for Children with Accumulation and Stagnation
1. Breastfeeding should be on a fixed schedule and in appropriate amounts. Avoid overeating and provide fresh and clean food. Avoid overconsumption of raw and cold, greasy foods. As the baby grows older, gradually introduce appropriate complementary foods, but avoid eating a variety of foods or being picky.
2. The diet should be light and easily digestible, such as fruits, carrots, radishes, beans, egg yolks, fish, and full-fat dairy products. Avoid overeating.
