Acupuncture in hiccups

March 11, 2007

Hi Ann & All,

> I have often stopped hiccups by grasping the flesh firmly on the

> mid-back, just at B17 (diaphragm shu). I would simply squeeze both

> points simultaneously w/ thumb on one point and forefinger on the

> other (usually forefinger is bent so effectively squeezing b/w thumb

> and the 2 knuckles of the forefinger). I do this as hard as the person

> can tolerate until the hiccups stop. I've never used the technique on

> cases of such long duration, but perhaps it bears trying. Other ways

> of stimulating this point could of course be tried, such as needles,

> intradermal, etc. What about ding xiang, clove, the specific for

> hiccoughs? Check the MM for combos such as persimmon calyx. ann

I get hiccups easily when I bolt food or eat too fast.

A reliable and effective treatment (at table, when needles are impractical) is

to press very hard with both thumbs just under the xiphoid process of the

sternum. The point is at CV15.

Data for that point at http://www.yinyanghouse.com/acupuncturepoints/cv15

do NOT mention hiccup, but the point is very effective for that:

CV15-Jiuwei, Turtledove Tail. Precautions: No perpindicular needling in

advanced pregnancy. Point Associations: Luo Connecting Point of CV.

Actions & Effects: Luo Connecting Point of CV - upper abdomen issues,

chest tightness/oppression.

See also: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/501978_3

Common acupoints for the treatment of hiccups / diaphragmatic spasm

include:

(1) GV14 (Dazhui)

(2) PC 6 (Neiguan)

(3) CV12 (Zhongwan)

(4) ST36 (Zusanli)

(5) BL17 (Geshu)

(6) BL20 (Pishu)

(7) BL21 (Weishu)

(8) CV22 (Tiantu)

(9) LV14 (Qimen)

Also:

Tian J. Acupuncture treatment of 135 cases with hiccup. World J

Acupuncture Moxibustion. 1999;9(l):54-55. Treatment was given daily for I

to 3 days for patients with hiccups from 1-15 days. BL13, BL17, and BL21

with ST44, ST45, Ll0I and LI04 were needled, with the Ting points bled 22

or 3 drops. 131/135 cases were cured; 95 after 1 treatment, 31 after 2

treatments. ATCM discussion is given.

Shen L, Zhang C, Li Y. Treatment of hiccup by acupuncture in 30 cases of

malignant tumor patients after chemotherapies. World J Acupuncture

Moxibustion. 1999;9(2):38-40. Thirty patients with hiccup after

chemotherapy who did not respond to sedation and antispasmodic

treatment were needled at ST36 and PC06 for 15-20 minutes. Hiccup

disappeared after 1 treatment in 18 and after 2-4 treatments in 10 patients.

Best regards,

1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel: (H): +353-(0);

VOIP Number: +353-1482-7068;

Tel: (M): +353-(0)

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" Man who says it can't be done should not interrupt woman doing it " -

Chinese Proverb

March 11, 2007

Phil & All,

Several weeks ago I was reading an article on MSN about treatment tips from

doctors for particular situations. One doctor recommended a treatment for " side

stitches, " which he said are a result of diaphragmatic spasm. The treatment is

simply: breathe out as much as you can, hold the breath out for several seconds.

You will probably begin to feel the diaphragm unspasming while the breath is

out. Then relax and repeat. That's it.

The next night I happened to get a minor case of hiccups. I remembered reading

this and thought, " Hey, this is a diaphragmatic spasm, too. " So I tried it and

it worked. I felt my diaphragm unraveling while holding the first exhalation,

but I still had a hint of wanting to hiccup. After I repeated the process, the

hiccups were all gone. Since then I have told this to several people when they

had hiccups, and it has worked for everyone. Any treatment that unspasms the

diaphragm should do the trick. Of course if someone has chronic hiccups they may

need more systemic treatment to make the local treatment hold.

Thanks for the ideas.

Joseph Garner, L.Ac.

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Sunday, March 11, 2007 6:44:55 PM