Massage For A Child's Tummy Ache

Tummy ache is one of the commonest ailments of childhood. Little wonder when you see the quantities of food children can put away in no time at all, often without stopping to draw breath, let alone wait for anything to be digested. Although they seem to have cast iron constitutions, sometimes the average birthday party mix of lemonade, ice-cream, chocolate, sweets, crisps, cake and biscuits in one sitting has been known to cause a rebellion. More often than not, the pain starts at night, and the child cannot sleep, which makes it all seem much worse.

Massage works miracles on tummy ache. It helps soothe the pain, just the way rubbing a banged elbow or knocked knee does. The warmth, rhythm and touch of skin on skin have an almost hypnotically soothing effect on children. It is also a close, loving way to make a child feel better so that he goes back to sleep with sweet dreams. When you stroke the tummy, always use the lightest, softest, slowest touch because not only is the abdomen sensitive, but it also responds best to gentle massage. Any strokes around the navel should always be done in a clockwise direction, as this aids the digestion of food and elimination of wastes. If you child has persistent tummy aches, or the pain seems to get very much worse after three hours from the time it first appeared, seek medical advice as it may be something other than just an upset tummy.

How To Massage A Child's Tummy Ache
The secret to curing tummy ache with massage is to keep movements simple, use lots of oil and do many repetitions. Once you have finished all six steps, put a warm hot water bottle on the tummy so the heat will keep the muscles relaxed. Do not massage a child's tummy immediately after a large meal wait at least an hour and do not do this massage on anyone under the age of two. The best position for this massage is for you to sit at the child's side while he lies on a bed. If the child is very young, you may prefer to stand and bend low over him so that you can look into his eyes, sing or talk. He should lie comfortably on his back throughout, keeping his knees bent if the tummy muscles are tight or in spasm.

1. Sit at the side of the child's body. Place your right hand over the solar plexus and your left below the navel in the middle of the tummy. Make large, slow, sweeping circles in a clockwise direction around the abdomen, with the right hand moving down to the navel and the left hand moving up to the ribs. Repeat, so they do the same half-circle each, time and time again.

2. From the same start position, place one hand on top of the other, palms down, and make large clockwise circles around the abdomen - from the solar plexus, follow the ribs, then down across the groin and up the other side back to the start. Keep the movement light, rhythmic and soothing so that your hands make large, slow circles for several minutes.

3. Place your hands, palms down, over the navel with your fingers covering the solar plexus at the base of the ribs. Leave them lightly resting there for a count of six, then slide them out to the sides, down the waist and round the lower abdomen. Then lift your hands and place them back in the start position and repeat the entire stroke for several minutes.

4. Now do some side stroking. Place your hands, palms down, over one hip with your fingers tucked under the bottom. Pull one hand after the other firmly up the body toward the abdomen, using your fingers to pull the flesh up and drag it back towards the tummy. Keep the stroke smooth, light and flowing so that it is pulling up and not pressing in. After several minutes, swap to the other side.

5. Do some cross-stroking over the entire tummy. Start with the fingers of the right hand tucked down under the back and the left hand resting across the tummy, both palms down. Pull up with your right hand, while the left glides across the tummy; as they cross, the left hand pushes down and the right glides lightly over the tummy without downward pressure. Repeat for several minutes.

6. Finish off with some slow, simple cat stroking. This is a light, flowing stroke with hands palms down, one following the other from the base of the ribs down the tummy to the groin. There should be minimal pressure, and as the lower hand reaches the end of the stroke, curve the palm so only the fingertips, touch the skin. Make the stroke slower and gentler over several minutes, until you stop.