Although abdominal bloating and pain in children are common, they should not be overlooked. Mild symptoms can quickly resolve, but if the symptoms worsen, they can lead to serious consequences. Baby's abdominal pain may occur around the umbilicus, on one side of the abdomen, or on both sides or in the middle of the lower abdomen. Massage therapy is suitable for treating functional abdominal pain, but not abdominal pain caused by acute abdominal conditions. Let's take a look at the massage illustrations for baby's abdominal bloating and pain.
Causes of Baby's Abdominal Bloating and Pain
The causes of abdominal pain in children are complex. They are often caused by exposure to cold pathogens, food stagnation, and accumulation of heat in the stomach and intestines. Children are naturally weak in the spleen and stomach. If they are exposed to wind and cold or their qi is not smooth, qi stagnation and pain can occur. If children have improper diet, overeating, or consuming indigestible food, it can damage the spleen and stomach, leading to stagnation of food and obstruction of qi, resulting in abdominal bloating and pain. If children have heat in the intestines and stomach, heat can accumulate in the intestines, causing difficulty in bowel movements, abdominal bloating, and pain. In addition, poor emotions can lead to liver qi stagnation, causing blockage of qi flow and resulting in abdominal bloating and pain.
Symptoms of Baby's Abdominal Bloating and Pain
Cold-induced abdominal pain: The pain is like abdominal cramps, with pale complexion and cold limbs. The pain worsens in cold conditions but reduces after applying heat.
Food stagnation abdominal pain: Abdominal distention, acid regurgitation, belching, reduced abdominal pain after bowel movements, and even accompanied by vomiting.
Heat accumulation abdominal pain: Child's intestines have excessive heat, causing abdominal distention and tenderness. Bowel movements are not smooth, and there are symptoms of body heat and thirst.
Massage for Abdominal Bloating and Pain Caused by Cold Pathogens
Tonify the spleen meridian, knead Guanyuan, push San Guan, knead Zusanli for 1 minute each, clockwise abdominal massage for 2 minutes, knead Zusanli for 1 minute each, clockwise abdominal massage for 2 minutes, pinch and knead Yiwofeng 50 times, pinch the corners of the abdomen 3-5 times.
Massage explanation: Tonifying the spleen meridian, kneading Zusanli, and clockwise abdominal massage can help regulate the spleen and stomach qi. Kneading Guanyuan and pushing San Guan have the effect of warming the middle and dispelling cold. Pinching and kneading Yiwofeng and the corners of the abdomen have a good effect in relieving abdominal pain.
Massage for Abdominal Bloating and Pain Caused by Food Stagnation
Tonify the spleen meridian, knead Banmen, push the inner Bagua clockwise, knead Zhongwan, knead Tianshu, knead Zusanli for 1 minute each, clockwise abdominal massage for 2 minutes, pinch the corners of the abdomen 3-5 times.
Massage explanation: Tonifying the spleen meridian, kneading Banmen, pushing the inner Bagua clockwise, kneading Zhongwan, kneading Tianshu, clockwise abdominal massage, and kneading Zusanli can help tonify the spleen and stomach, promote digestion, and eliminate stagnation. Pinching the corners of the abdomen has a good effect in relieving abdominal pain.
Massage for Abdominal Bloating and Pain Caused by Heat Accumulation in the Intestines and Stomach
Clear the stomach meridian, clear the large intestine meridian, knead Banmen, push the inner Bagua for 1 minute each, clockwise abdominal massage, push down the seven lumbar vertebrae, knead the tailbone for 2 minutes each, and perform plucking and rubbing motion 30 times.
Massage explanation: Clearing the stomach meridian, clearing the large intestine meridian, clockwise abdominal massage, pushing down the seven lumbar vertebrae, kneading the tailbone can help clear heat, moisturize the intestines, and facilitate bowel movements. Kneading Banmen, pushing the inner Bagua, and performing plucking and rubbing motion can help regulate qi and relieve pain.
Care Tips for Baby's Abdominal Bloating and Pain
1. When a baby experiences abdominal bloating and pain, parents should first observe if there are any other symptoms. There are many diseases, such as intestinal intussusception, acute abdominal conditions, and peritonitis, which can be dangerous if not treated promptly. Therefore, if a child experiences high fever, severe vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or diarrhea, they should immediately go to the hospital for a clear diagnosis and timely treatment.
2. If there is suspicion of worms in the baby's stomach, it is important not to self-administer deworming medication. It is recommended to go to the hospital to observe if there are worm eggs in the stool and take deworming medication under the guidance of a doctor.
3. Parents should pay attention to keeping the child warm, especially the abdomen. The child should be well covered when sleeping to avoid catching a cold.
4. Children with food stagnation abdominal pain should pay attention to a light diet. Children with heat in the intestines and stomach should eat more vegetables and fruits and consume fewer fried and oily foods. It is also important to drink plenty of water.
