Traditional Chinese Medicine promotes the use of therapeutic massage, or Tui Na, for the treatment of infants. Until the age of 10, children respond well to this gentle form of therapy. Learn about the various conditions that Tui Na can heal.
The ancient Chinese practice of therapeutic massage, or Tui Na, is a sophisticated technique that can be used to treat not only aches and pains, but also medical conditions like insomnia, hypertension, ulcers, and arthritis. Tui Na looks beyond muscular tension to stimulate the natural healing capability of our bodies. By applying pressure to specific points along the skin, the massage therapist can promote the release of neurotransmitters that help to strengthen the immune system.
Application of Pediatric Tui Na
Pediatric massage applies these same massage techniques to the development of a healthy sensation of touch in young children. Research has shown that babies and infants thrive from the touch of a loving parent. In fact, children who receive this sort of attention are healthier and gain weight properly throughout their development.
In addition to promoting healthy maturation, pediatric Tui Na can also treat a number of conditions that children suffer from. These include nausea, lack of appetite, fever, nightmares, and bed-wetting. A single massage session will last as long as 30 minutes, and should be performed as often as necessary given the nature of the child’s condition. The techniques are easy to learn and can therefore be reinforced at home between sessions with a professional.
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Clinical Evidence Supports the Use of Pediatric Tui Na
The Rehabilitation Center conducted a study under the Thai Red Cross Society to compare the effectiveness of Tui Na with that of sensory integration therapy for autistic children. Sixty children under the age of 10 served as the subjects for the study, and those who received the pediatric massage treatment showed significant improvements in anxiety, hyperactivity, and quality of sleep.
Another study conducted at the Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, China investigated pediatric Tui Na for the treatment of night crying or night terrors. Dr. Shan’s infantile Tui Na therapy was performed in this clinical setting with a 90% success rate. Only two patients out of twenty failed to improve over the course of 10 days, all others were able to sleep calmly throughout the night. The consulting doctor, Zheng Lan-feng, explained that pediatric Tui Na was able to rebalance heat in the Heart Meridian as well as correcting a deficiency of cold in the spleen that were to blame for the observed night crying.
Finally, pediatric Tui Na was identified as a promising treatment of infantile diarrhea. A team of doctors at the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine performed a case study and found the massage technique to be effective with 95.7% of the patients. Clearly, medical practice validates pediatric Tui Na as an effective therapy for a variety of conditions.
Tui Na is a Gentle Alternative to Acupuncture
Tui Na is an especially attractive option for treating children because it is so gentle and induces no unwanted side effects. Pressure points are activated without the use of needles, so the overall flow of energy can be manipulated, just as with the practice of acupuncture. A practitioner of Tui Na can identify blockages in the meridians, imbalances of Chi and blood, and use soothing massage to restore the body to a healthy and strong state.
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