The pathogenesis of anorexia in children is that the spleen and stomach are unhealthy and there is a loss of harmony between them. Tui Na techniques such as kneading the Panmen, tonifying the spleen meridian, clearing the stomach meridian, moistening the abdomen, kneading the middle epigastric region and the heavenly center, and kneading the foot and the three ribs, etc. can be used to strengthen the spleen and the stomach to cure the anorexia.
Tui na therapy for anorexia is indicated for children with anorexia that is not caused by somatic diseases or other mental diseases. Anorexia can be categorized into spleen dysfunction (dysfunction of the spleen’s transportation function), spleen and stomach qi deficiency and stomach yin insufficiency (insufficient yin fluid in the stomach), and the basic treatment is to strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach.
For children with spleen dysfunction, manipulation methods that can transport the spleen and open the stomach can be added, such as transporting the internal eight trigrams, pinching the four horizontal stripes; moving the middle epigastric region, moving the abdomen in the counterclockwise direction, and dividing the abdomen into yin and yang.
For children with qi deficiency of the spleen and stomach, manipulation methods that strengthen the spleen and benefit qi can be added, such as tonifying the large intestine, pushing the three passes, kneading the outer Laogong; kneading the middle epigastric region, rubbing the abdomen in a clockwise direction, kneading the Qihai and Guanyuan; kneading the turtle’s tail and pushing the upper seven bones, etc.
For children with gastric yin deficiency, the operation methods that nourish gastric yin can be added, such as clearing the liver meridian, kneading the external laogong, kneading the upper horse, kneading the middle epigastric region, rubbing the abdomen in a clockwise direction, kneading the dantian, and rubbing the sea of blood and the Sanyinjiao.
Pediatric anorexia should be treated with tuina under the guidance of a professional physician. Parents should correct their children’s bad dietary habits, ensure that the children have enough sleep, and pay more attention to their children’s conditions. If the symptoms cannot be relieved after a long time, the children should be taken to the doctor for treatment.