Children have delicate stomachs, making them more prone to stomachaches. When a child has a stomachache, it is best to treat it with diet therapy or massage. Let's take a look at how to massage a baby's stomachache.
Massage for Promoting Digestion and Removing Stagnation
The child lies on their back, and the masseur places their slightly bent palms against the child's abdomen, starting from the middle of the Ren Channel and both sides of the Stomach Yangming Meridian. They massage and press from the upper abdomen to the lower Dantian area, using moderate pressure. The massage should be done from top to bottom, with slightly deep pressure, but not too heavy. This should be done twice a day, with 20 strokes each time.
Effects: This massage helps with digestion, promotes the movement of Qi, and strengthens the spleen and appetite. It is suitable for stomachaches caused by poor digestion, food accumulation, abdominal distension, and constipation.
Warm and Smooth Massage
The child lies on their back, and the masseur rubs their hands together before placing their right palm firmly against the child's abdomen. They use the palm to rub and rotate in a clockwise direction around the epigastric region for 40-50 circles, until a warm sensation is felt. This massage can be done 1-2 times a day.
Effects: This massage warms the yang, dispels cold, regulates Qi, activates blood circulation, and relieves pain. It is suitable for stomachaches caused by long-term spleen and stomach diseases, coldness and pain in the epigastric region, and diarrhea.
Acupressure Massage for Child's Stomachache
1. Acupoints: Zhongwan, Xiawan, Liangmen, Neiguan, Gongsun, Zusanli.
Massage method: The child lies on their back. Use the One Finger Zen technique to lightly press the upper abdomen, focusing on Zhongwan for about 5 minutes. Then, use the palm to rub the upper abdomen in a clockwise direction for 5 minutes, followed by rubbing the middle and lower abdomen for 3 minutes. Finally, press the acupoints Zhongwan, Liangmen, Xiawan, Neiguan, Gongsun, and Zusanli.
Effects: This massage regulates the spleen and stomach, activates meridians, and relieves pain. It is suitable for various types of stomachaches.
2. Acupoints: Gepu, Ganshu, Pishu, Weishu, Jiaji.
Massage method: The child lies prone, and the masseur uses rolling massage along the child's spine and both sides for 5-10 minutes. Then, press the acupoints Gepu, Ganshu, Pishu, Weishu, and the tender points on the upper back. Continue with palm pressing massage along the spine and both sides.
Effects: This massage soothes the liver and stomach, regulates Qi, and relieves pain. It is suitable for stomachaches caused by disharmony between the liver and stomach.
3. Acupoints: Zhiyang, Pishu, Weishu, Zusanli.
Massage method: Locate tender points along the Governing Vessel at Zhiyang, and press them with the thumb for 3-5 minutes. Then, use a heavy-handed technique to tap and rub the acupoints Pishu and Weishu on both sides for 5 minutes. Finally, tap Zusanli for 2-3 minutes.
Effects: This massage activates meridians, relieves pain, and is suitable for various types of stomachaches with good analgesic effect.
Massage for Child's Stomachache by Pinching the Spine
Massage method: The child lies prone, and the masseur places their palms on both sides of the spine, focusing on the large fish muscle. They massage and press from the Dazhui acupoints along the Taiyang Bladder Meridian, moving downward to the lumbar sacral region. Repeat this 10 times, until the muscles in the lower back are relaxed and without tension. Then, pinch along the sides of the spine from the sacrum to the Dazhui acupoints, repeating 10 times. Finally, the masseur uses their right palm to pat the chest, waist, and lumbar sacral region from top to bottom for 10 times. This massage can be done once a day.
Effects: This massage strengthens the spleen and stomach, improves appetite, and regulates Qi circulation. It is suitable for stomachaches, abdominal distension, and pain caused by weak spleen and stomach, chronic diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Long-term use of this method also has a preventive effect on colds, especially for preventing colds.
Dietary Care for Child's Stomachache
The diet of a child with a stomachache should be lighter than usual, and spicy, fried, fatty, and sweet foods should be avoided. This is because the digestion capacity of the stomach needs to be considered. A light diet should also be easy to digest. Note that advocating a light diet does not mean excluding meat. A completely vegetarian diet is not recommended as it is difficult to meet the nutritional needs of the body. Therefore, a combination of meat and vegetables is recommended, with a focus on digestibility. In addition, it is important to eat small meals frequently, avoiding overeating, which can cause stomach discomfort and even stomach dilation. Each meal should be consumed until 80% full. Regular and timely meals should be observed to avoid disrupting the secretion function of the stomach.
