Light Acupuncture at LI 4 Helpful for Infantile Colic

Chinese researchers recently conducted a study looking at the effects of light needling on the acupuncture point LI 4 for infantile colics.  Other studies have shown acupuncture to be effective for the crying aspect of colic, but the effect on the gastrointestinal aspect is yet to be fully understood.

Researchers recruited 913 infants with colic and used light needling at the acupuncture point LI 4 for 10-20 seconds bilaterally, daily for a mean of 6.2 days.  The infants parents were questioned before and after the treatments to determine the change in symptoms.  Following treatment there were significant positive reductions in an array of symptoms including bloating, bowel movement frequency and consistency, belching, and other aspects.  No side effects were reported.

While in the west specifically many parents are unaware of the multiple benefits of acupuncture for infants, these studies help to promote these benefits.  Acupuncture is often well tolerated in infants and is free of side effects.  Further studies should be done to see if acupressure at LI 4 would perform the same clinical function as light needling in infants.