Intussusception is a condition characterized by intermittent abdominal pain caused by intense contraction of the smooth muscles of the intestinal wall. It is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain in children, occurring from infancy to school age. Massage techniques can be used to relieve the pain. Let's take a look at how to massage for intussusception in children.
Key Points for Diagnosing Intussusception in Children
1. Healthy children suddenly experience intermittent abdominal pain, which comes and goes and occurs repeatedly.
2. The severity of abdominal pain can vary. When the pain is severe, the child may cry, roll, sweat, and have a pale face. The lower limbs are curled up, the feet are cold, and the hands are clenched. During an episode, the entire abdominal skin is sensitive to touch, the abdominal muscles are tense, and sometimes spastic intestinal segments can be felt. During the interval between episodes, the abdomen is soft, not bloated, without tenderness or abdominal rigidity.
3. Some children with indigestion may have a distended abdomen that improves after passing gas from the rectum, but the pain soon recurs.
4. Typical intussusception mostly occurs in the small intestine, with the pain centered around the navel. There may be vomiting. In smaller children, intussusception can occur in the stomach and pylorus, with pain mainly below the xiphoid process and prominent vomiting. The child may have poor spirits after a light abdominal pain following a meal, but their spirits immediately improve after vomiting. In a few older children, intussusception can occur in the hepatic or splenic flexure of the colon, with pain mainly in the left hypochondrium. Occasionally, spasms of the sigmoid colon can be seen, with pain in the left lower abdomen, less vomiting, and easily palpable spastic colon.
Common Massage Techniques for Intussusception in Children
1. Strengthen the spleen meridian 100 times: The parent uses their thumb to rotate and push on the distal phalanx of the child's thumb.
2. Rub Xiaotianxin acupoint 100 times: The parent uses their thumb or middle finger to make circular rubbing motions on the Xiaotianxin acupoint, which is located at the depression between the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and the index finger.
3. Rub Yiwo Feng acupoint 100 times: The parent uses their thumb to rub the Yiwo Feng acupoint, which is located at the central depression on the back side of the child's wrist, where the transverse crease is located.
4. Rub Wailaogong acupoint for 1 minute: The parent uses their thumb to rotate and rub the Wailaogong acupoint, which is located in the center of the back of the hand.
5. Massage the abdomen for 2 minutes: The parent uses the palm or the index, middle, and ring fingers to gently massage the child's abdomen in a clockwise direction.
6. Hold the corners of the abdomen 5 times: The parent uses their thumbs and index fingers to pinch the corners of the child's abdomen 5 times.
Massage Techniques for Differentiation and Treatment of Intussusception in Children
1. Cold type: Strengthen the spleen meridian, rub Wailaogong acupoint, stimulate Sanguan acupoint, massage the abdomen, knead and rub Yiwo Feng acupoint, hold the corners of the abdomen.
2. Deficiency-cold type: Strengthen the spleen and kidney meridians, stimulate Sanguan acupoint, rub Wailaogong acupoint, rub Zhongwan acupoint, rub the navel, and massage Zusanli acupoint.
Precautions for Nursing Children with Intussusception
1. Proper feeding: Infants should be breastfed in appropriate amounts, avoiding overfeeding. Children with indigestion should have reduced milk intake or reduced sugar content in the milk. Avoid feeding the child large amounts of cold food.
2. Remove triggers: Treat upper respiratory infections and intestinal parasitic diseases in a timely manner to prevent the onset of intussusception.
3. Observe the condition: Observe the relief, severity, and duration of the child's abdominal pain episodes. If the intussusception is secondary to an upper respiratory infection, observe for corresponding symptoms such as fever and treat promptly. Observe for symptoms such as vomiting and bloody stools to prevent the development of intestinal obstruction.
4. Place the child in a warm environment to promote recovery during sleep.
