The main purpose of massage for pediatric constipation is to promote bowel movements. Generally, the appropriate massage techniques can be chosen based on different types of constipation, including dry-heat, qi stagnation, and food stagnation. Massage can be performed once daily, preferably before bedtime. Now let's take a look at which parts of the baby's body are most effective for relieving constipation through massage.
Causes and Mechanisms of Pediatric Constipation
1. Food stagnation and negative emotions or excessive heat can affect the function of the baby's intestines, leading to constipation.
2. Irregular eating habits and food stagnation can obstruct qi circulation, preventing normal bowel movements. Eating spicy and fried foods can cause heat to accumulate in the intestines, leading to constipation.
3. After suffering from a high fever, residual heat can accumulate in the intestines, depleting fluids and resulting in dryness, making it difficult to pass stools.
4. Emotional distress and tension can cause liver qi stagnation, affecting the intestines and leading to abnormal bowel movements.
5. Some children may have weak constitutions or have been ill for a long time, resulting in weak spleen and stomach functions, making it difficult to push stools out.
Massage for Constipation with Intestinal Heat or Food Stagnation
If the child's constipation is caused by intestinal heat or food stagnation, parents can choose the following massage techniques: clear the large intestine, stimulate the six fu organs, follow the movement of the eight trigrams, massage the biceps yangchi acupoint, and rub the costal arch for 1 minute each; massage the navel and tianshu acupoint for 1 minute each; clockwise abdominal massage, plucking and rubbing, stimulate the seven lumbar vertebrae, and rub the coccyx for 2 minutes each.
Massage techniques explained: Following the movement of the eight trigrams, abdominal massage, plucking and rubbing, and massage of the zu san li acupoint can help promote qi circulation and aid digestion. Clearing the large intestine, stimulating the six fu organs, massaging the biceps yangchi acupoint, stimulating the seven lumbar vertebrae, massaging the tianshu acupoint, and rubbing the coccyx can help clear intestinal heat and promote bowel movements.
Massage for Constipation with Weak Constitution
If the child's constipation is caused by a weak constitution, parents can choose the following massage techniques: nourish the spleen meridian, clear the large intestine, and clockwise abdominal massage for 2 minutes each; massage the biceps yangchi acupoint, stimulate the three guan acupoints, massage the upper horse acupoint and kidney shu acupoint, massage the zu san li acupoint, and rub the navel and coccyx for 1 minute each; knead the spine 5 times.
Massage techniques explained: Nourishing the spleen meridian, stimulating the three guan acupoints, massaging the upper horse acupoint, kidney shu acupoint, and kneading the spine can help nourish the spleen, lungs, and kidneys, strengthen the body, and promote the circulation of qi and blood. Clearing the large intestine, massaging the biceps yangchi acupoint, and rubbing the navel can help promote bowel movements.
Different Symptoms of Baby Constipation
Due to different causes of constipation, babies may show various symptoms in addition to constipation itself:
1. If the baby has a history of overeating or consuming indigestible food and experiences difficulty in passing stools, along with a feeling of fullness and belching or hiccups, sour and foul taste in the mouth, and thick and greasy tongue coating, it is often food stagnation constipation.
2. If the baby has dry-heat constipation due to accumulation of heat in the stomach and intestines, symptoms may include dry and difficult-to-pass stools, abdominal distention, bad breath, and even vomiting, with a red tongue, yellow or dry tongue coating.
3. If the baby frequently gets angry and experiences qi stagnation constipation, there may also be chest tightness, feeling of breathlessness, frequent sighing or belching, and abdominal pain.
4. When constipation is caused by weak spleen and stomach functions, the baby may have difficulty in passing stools, but the stools are not dry or hard. The abdominal distention is not severe, and the baby tends to sweat a lot, feel short of breath, and become tired after exercise or passing stools.
Care Tips for Baby Constipation
Since constipation is closely related to diet and bowel habits, parents should help their children develop regular bowel habits and healthy eating habits. It is best to cultivate a habit of daily bowel movements at a fixed time. When there is an urge to defecate, it is advisable to do so immediately and avoid holding it in.
A healthy and regular diet is crucial for preventing and treating constipation in children. Parents should pay attention to a balanced diet for their children and avoid giving them overly refined foods. For babies with constipation, it is recommended to include a small amount of coarse grains in their diet and give them more fruits with dietary fiber, as well as leafy vegetables and root vegetables.
For babies with food stagnation, it is advisable to start with light and soft foods, eat more fruits, drink more water, and consider taking honey water to relieve constipation.
