(Massage Therapy)
GENERAL EXPLANATION:
It is a condition of malnutrition caused by insufficient food intake or insufficient use of the food in children, and is related to the weak functions of the stomach and intestines improper feeding or chronic diarrhea which can cause long-term insufficiency of food intake and dysfunction of the absorption. The clinical manifestations are emaciation, anemia, retarded development, poor appetite, loose stools or constipation. Massage therapy can promote the digestive and absorptive functions of the stomach and intestines, remove the food retention, strengthen the spleen, harmonize the stomach and enhance the body constitution.
NOTES:
1. It is necessary to feed the child scientifically.
2. It is advisable not to manipulate the techniques too forcefully at the beginning of the treatment, and to manipulate the techniques gradually forcefully after the sick child is used to it.
TREATMENT:
1. Tonify the Spleen Meridian by kneading the cushion of the thumb of the sick child for 300 times.
2. Knead the thenar of the palm with the finger for 300 times.
3. Dig the creases on the palmar side of the proximal interphalangeal joints of the index, middle, ring and little fingers with the thumb nail for 3 to 5 times respectively.
4. Knead Zhongwan(RN-12) and Tianshu(ST-25) for 30 to 50 times respectively.
5. Rub the abdomen clockwise and counterclockwise for 150 times respectively.
6. Press and knead Pishu(BL-20), Weishu(BL-21) and Shenshu(BL-23) on the back.
7. Pinch the spine for 3 to 5 times.
8. Press and knead Zushanli for 30 times.
APPENDIX: Commonly-used acupoints for infantile massage.
