Otopoint treatment
Li Jin applied an auricular plaster method to treat 100 cases of poor appetite using Spleen (MA-IC), Stomach (MA-IC), Spirit Gate (MA-TF1), Nao Dian, Xia Jiao Duan, Small Intestine points (MA-SC2), and supplemented with Liver (MS-SC 5) for improved coordination between the liver and the spleen, with Er Zhong point (MA-H1) for regurgitation and hiccup, and with Heart (MA-IC) for insomnia and dreaminess. After locating the sensitive points, vaccaria seeds were applied to these otopoints. The two ears were used alternately and the treatment was performed once daily, with 10 sessions being one therapeutic course. The results indicated that of the 100 cases, 69 were resolved, 26 had improvement, and 5 were ineffective, with the effectiveness rate being 95%.(
7)
Li Xiou Fang treated 40 cases of child anorexia by external application of an herbal paste at the umbilicus. The herbs used were Cang Zhu (Atractylodis), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Lai Fu Zi (cooked Raphanus), and Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) mixed with vinegar. The paste was changed once a day. 10 days constituted one course of treatment. After 2 courses of treatment, 27 cases had significant improvement, 11 had somewhat improved, and 2 cases were ineffective. The effectiveness rate was 95%.(8)
Massage treatment
Wang Sheng Lin, et al. treated 100 cases of infantile anorexia. The maneuvers employed were rubbing the abdomen for 5 min, kneading the umbilicus for 5min, pressing and kneading along the middle of spine from top to the bottom for 5min, and rubbing and kneading the acupoint Zu San Li (ST 36) for 2 min. In addition, for severe deficiency of both the spleen and stomach, Pi Shu (BL 20) and Wei Shu (BL 21) were used for rubbing. For retention of food, the practitioner also rubbed and pushed the abdomen with yin-yang method. In the treatment of children under 3 years of age, they applied the pushing manipulation to Pitu, Sihengwen and Banmen of the hand. This treatment was performed once daily, about 15~ 20 minutes every time. Additionally, equivalent doses of carbonized Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocepgalae), Sharen (Fructus Amomi), Caoguo (Fructus Tsaoko), etc. were ground into powder, made into paste with an appropriate amount of wine, and applied to the umbilicus once daily. The results indicated that 86 cases were resolved, 11 had marked improvement, and 3 had improvement, with the total effective rate being 100%.(9)
Chen Jin Feng treated 82 cases of infantile anorexia by applying the reinforcing Spleen-Meridian method 100-300 times, kneading Zhong Wan (CV 12) about 100 ~ 200 times, rubbing abdomen 5 min, kneading along the middle spine part 3-5 cycles, and pressing and rubbing Zu San Li (ST 36) 50-100 times. In addition, for dysfunction of the spleen in transportation, he rubbed "Ban Men" 100-300 times, for deficiency of both spleen-qi and stomach-qi and Wai Lao 100-300 times, pushed "Three-Guan" (the "3 passes") 100-300 times; and for insufficiency of stomach-yin type, performed liver-heat eliminating manipulation 100-200 times. The treatment was performed once daily, with 7 days being one therapeutic course, continuously for 2 courses. In the control group, 40 patients were treated with an oral administration of Jia Ner Kou Fu Ye (a syrup for digestion) 3 times daily, continuously for 2 weeks. Findings illustrated that of the 100 and 40 cases in the treatment and control groups, 59 and 21 cases were resolved, 9 and 4 had marked improvement, 9 and 6 had some improvement, and 5 and 9 were ineffective. The total effectiveness rates were 93.9% and 77.5% respectively. There was a significant difference seen between the two groups in the effectiveness rate (P<0.01).(10)
Hu Ding Zheng applied the spine-kneading manipulation to treat 33 cases of infantile anorexia. The operator made a half-fix (by bending the index finger in a half way and extending the thumb against the patient's skin) and moved the thumb and ring finger forward, kneading and lifting the skin and muscles repeatedly. One application was performed 6 times altogether in every session of treatment. In the control group, 30 patients were asked to take Xiao Er Jian Pi Tang Jiang (child spleen-enhancing syrup) 5-10ml/day, 3 times a day. In this group, 10 sessions of treatment was considered to be one therapeutic course. After 3 courses of treatment, the results for the treatment and comparison groups were, respectively: 17 and 6 cases were resolved, 15 and 13 were improved, and 1 and 11 were ineffective. The effectiveness rates were 96.9% and 63.9%, respectively. There was a significant difference seen between both groups in their therapeutic effects (P<0.01).(11)