Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes that children have a unique constitution that differs from adults. Their meridians are still in the developmental stage, making them more delicate and sensitive than adults, which can result in a higher risk of illness and health issues. According to TCM, babies and children under the age of six are particularly vulnerable to common health problems, such as digestive, respiratory, and sleep issues, due to weakened immune systems, poor nutrition, and immature body systems.
Spleen and Liver: Vital Organ for Qi
The Spleen and Liver organs play a crucial role in maintaining a child’s overall health and well-being, according to TCM.
The Spleen is responsible for transforming food and fluids into Qi and blood while playing a role in the immune system and children’s growth and development. At birth, the Spleen is considered immature and continues to develop throughout childhood, gradually improving its function as the digestive system matures, and the child’s diet expands. The Spleen continues to develop until around age seven, after which it is considered fully mature.
The Liver, on the other hand, is responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body, regulating emotions, and playing a role in cognitive and motor function development. At birth, the Liver is considered immature and continues to develop throughout childhood, gradually improving its function as the child’s cognitive and motor abilities develop. The Liver continues to develop until around age fourteen, after which it is considered fully mature.
To support the development of the Spleen and Liver organs during a child’s early years, it is essential to provide a healthy diet, proper sleep and rest, and a supportive environment. In TCM, Pediatric Tuina massage is also believed to be beneficial in promoting healthy organ development and the child’s overall growth and development. By addressing imbalances in the Spleen and Liver, Pediatric Tuina can help prevent and treat respiratory and digestive problems in children, promoting optimal health and wellbeing.
Pediatric Tuina: An Effective TCM Treatment for Children’s Common Problems
Pediatric Tuina is a type of TCM massage that uses various techniques to stimulate acupressure points on the child’s body to improve health and wellness. It is a safe option for children, as it does not involve bone setting, joint movement, or targeting muscles or treating sprains or strains.
Pediatric Tuina has numerous benefits, including improving the immune system, relieving pain and discomfort, and promoting overall wellness. The treatment increases resistance to diseases by treating the acupoints along the meridians and adjusting the child’s qi and blood flow to the desired level. Pediatric Tuina also has a reflective effect on related organs, such as the lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, and spleen, achieving the desired therapeutic effect.
Acupoints and meridians play a crucial role in maintaining proper qi and blood circulation and regulating Yin and Yang energy in our bodies. The gentle massage techniques used in Pediatric Tuina can stimulate the body’s natural healing process, allowing the child’s body to fight off infections and illnesses more efficiently. Pediatric Tuina can also improve circulation, enhance the digestive system, and regulate the nervous system, improving sleep quality and boosting overall wellbeing.
Benefits of pediatric Tuina
Pediatric Tuina is particularly useful for addressing common issues faced by children, such as poor eating habits, abdominal pain and discomfort, frequent flu and cough, constipation, vomiting, fever due to vaccination, frequent bedwetting, and night crying. These issues can cause significant distress for both the child and their parents, and Pediatric Tuina offers a natural, non-invasive solution to help alleviate these symptoms.
Why pediatric Tuina must be performed by TCM physician?
It is crucial to let a trained TCM physician perform Pediatric Tuina on children to ensure the treatment’s success. The physician should perform the treatment with sufficient time, patience, and care to avoid causing discomfort to the child. They must also use massage techniques that can stimulate the unique acupressure points on a baby’s body, as these points are smaller and more sensitive than adults.
In conclusion, Pediatric Tuina is a safe and effective TCM treatment for children’s common problems. It can help improve the child’s overall health and wellbeing, relieve pain and discomfort, and boost their immune system. Parents should seek the guidance of a trained TCM physician to perform the treatment, ensuring that it is performed safely and effectively for the child’s benefit.
Frequent Ask Questions
- Why children are having digestive, respiratory and sleep problem?
Children may experience digestive, respiratory, and sleep problems due to suboptimal functioning of their vital organs. Specifically, the spleen reaches full development by the age of 7, while the liver does so by the age of 14. When these organs are not functioning optimally, the body’s Qi flow becomes slower, which can often lead to various common health issues.
- How Pediatric Tuina helps children?
Pediatric Tuina involves gentle massage on the skin surface of unique acupressure points in children, promoting the flow of Qi and blood. This therapy is generally considered safe and can help children experiencing a range of health issues, including poor eating habits, abdominal discomfort, frequent flu and cough, constipation, and vomiting.
- What happens during a session?
Pediatric Tuina involves a thorough diagnosis of the child’s medical history, physical traumas, medications, past surgeries, and examine the pulse and tongue. The physician sanitizes their hands before the treatment to prevent cross-contamination and ensures the child is comfortable. During the massage, gentle strokes are used on pressure points, mainly on the hands, limbs, and back. Sessions typically last between 15-45 minutes.
- Who is suitable for pediatric Tuina?
As a guideline, Pediatric Tuina is suitable for children from 6 months old to 12 years old. - How many sessions are needed for pediatric tuina?
A continuous treatment course of minimum 5 times is advised for pediatric tuina.
