Chronic enteritis refers to chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestines. Clinical manifestations include long-term chronic or recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion. Severe cases may have mucus or watery stools. In addition to medication, massage can also be used as an adjuvant therapy for chronic enteritis. So, where should we massage for chronic enteritis?
Diagnosis of Chronic Enteritis
Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Type: Symptoms include loose or watery stools, prolonged and recurrent, inability to digest grains, poor appetite, discomfort after eating, increased bowel movements after consuming greasy food, pale complexion, fatigue, pale tongue coating, and weak pulse.
Liver Qi Invading the Spleen Type: Symptoms include distension and fullness in the chest and ribs, belching, reduced appetite, abdominal pain and diarrhea when feeling depressed, irritated, or emotionally stressed, pale red tongue, and wiry pulse.
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency Type: Symptoms include pain around the navel, diarrhea after bowel sounds, pressing sensation after diarrhea, cold limbs, sore and weak waist and knees, pale tongue coating, and deep and thin pulse.
Acupressure for Chronic Enteritis
Colon Shu
Spread out your fingers and press on the colon shu point with the tip of your thumb. Use the other four fingers to support both sides of the waist and massage for 5 minutes each, until a sour and swollen feeling is felt.
Location of Colon Shu: On the waist, 1.5 inches below the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebrae.
Tianshu Point
The patient lies supine, and the masseur presses firmly on the patient's tianshu point, making circular movements for 2 minutes each, until a sour and swollen feeling is felt.
Location of Tianshu Point: In the middle of the abdomen, 2 inches above the navel.
Stomach Shu
The patient lies supine, and the masseur massages the stomach shu point on both sides of the patient's spine with force for 1 minute, and then rubs up and down repeatedly 5 times until the patient's skin turns red.
Location of Stomach Shu: On the back, 1.5 inches beside the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra.
Full Body Massage for Chronic Enteritis
1. The masseur spreads out their fingers and presses on the patient's colon shu and small intestine shu points with the tip of their thumb. The other four fingers support the patient's waist on both sides. Massage each point for 5 minutes until a sour and swollen feeling is felt.
2. The patient lies supine, and the masseur presses on the patient's tianshu, daju, guanyuan, sanyinjiao, fuliu, and zusanli points with force, making circular movements for 2 minutes each, until a sour and swollen feeling is felt.
3. The patient lies prone, and the masseur massages the liver shu, gallbladder shu, spleen shu, and stomach shu points on both sides of the patient's spine with force for 1 minute. Then rub up and down repeatedly 5 times until the patient's skin turns red.
Hand, Foot, and Ear Massage for Chronic Enteritis
1. Use the thumb pad to knead the stomach and intestinal reflex zones on the palm for 5 minutes, with slightly heavier pressure, 3 times a day.
2. Locate the reflex zones of the stomach and duodenum on the sole of the foot, and knead them separately with the thumb pad for 1 minute each. Apply enough pressure to feel a sour and swollen sensation in the massage area.
3. Locate the reflex zones of the gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, ureter, and bladder on the sole of the foot. Also knead them separately with the thumb pad for 3-4 minutes, with moderate pressure.
Care and Taboo for Chronic Enteritis
1. Pay attention to a balance between work and rest, and avoid excessive fatigue. Patients with acute outbreaks, acute attacks, or severe chronic conditions should rest in bed.
2. Pay attention to clothing and maintain appropriate warmth. Engage in moderate physical exercise to enhance physical fitness.
3. Generally, eat soft, easily digestible, nutritious, and calorie-rich foods. Eat small, frequent meals and supplement with various vitamins. Avoid raw, cold, greasy, and high-fiber foods.
4. Pay attention to food hygiene and avoid intestinal infections that may exacerbate the condition. Avoid smoking, alcohol, spicy foods, milk, and dairy products.
5. Maintain a cheerful mood, avoid mental stimulation, and relieve various mental pressures.
