This is to follow the large intestine and help move gas along in the best direction for getting relief. Using a light perhaps warmed vegetable oil often makes this very comforting. I enjoy coco butter. Bicycling baby's legs often results in some passing gas. Although there are many babies that have colic with little or no trapped gas, these baby's still enjoy the touch and movement, and I feel contact is crucial to some babies with colic.
Some hypertonic babies overstimulate readily.
For these infants caution is needed where touch and other stimulation are involved. This type of baby benefits from swaddling and a stable and somewhat quiet environment. When upset these infants usually need help to calm down. In cultures where babies seldom are laid down there seems little incidence of colic. Usually these babies are worn in a variety of slings or passed from one family member to another, always being held against a warm body.