Treatment of 27 cases of hiccup by one-finger pushing manipulation

Abstract

Hiccup is called as "Yue (retching)" and "Yue ni" in ancientry. Su Wen (《素问》) says: "Disorder of the stomach showing adverse rising of qi with hiccup". This symptom can occur alone or be seen in various diseases. TCM considers hiccup is caused generally by disharmony of middle energizer, adverse rising of stomach qi moving diaphragm, leading to inhibited activity of qi in diaphragm. The authors consider the left ascending and the right descending in transportation and transformation of qi activity in middle energizer; turbid qi belongs to yin and tends to descend, clear qi belongs to yang and tends to ascend. Turbid qi gets descending and then clear qi ascends, leading to harmony of qi activity and stop of hiccup. The therapeutic method was as follows. The patient with hiccup should stay in quiet room and was asked to drink properly warm water and swallow slowly in several times. Meanwhile, the doctor treated on the right side of patient. The order of selecting acupoints was: Shaoshang (LU 11), Shangyang (LI 1), Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Yifeng (TE 17), Cuanzhu (BL 20), Jiuwei (CV 15), Shangwan (CV 13), Zhongwan (CV 120, Jianli (CV 11), Xiawan (CV 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Yongquan (KI 1), Yinbai (SP 1) and Lidui (ST 45). The above 15 acupoints were manipulated in sequence. Pushing 6 times and digital-pressing one time was calculated as one degree. Every acupoint was manipulated for 9 degrees. The left limb was treated in reversed order of the above acupoints. Pushing 9 times and digital-pressing one time was calculated as one degree. Every acupoint was manipulated for 9 degrees. The pressing strength of manipulation was decided by local soreness, distention and pain on acupoints to the patient’s tolerance. One-finger pushing manipulation with the above method was used to treat 27 cases of hiccup. Among them, 17 cases were diaphragmatic spasm or gastrointestinal neurosis and 10 cases were gastritis, advanced stage of hepatic cirrhosis, cerebrovascular disease or uremia with hiccup. Twenty-three cases were cured, 3 cases were improved and 1 case had no effect. Case report: A male patient of 17 years old asked for treatment for sustained hiccup and deep and weak voice for 38 h caused by post-operation of hematocele in cavitas pleuralis and fracture of rib. At that time, the patient had clear mind, weak voice, wheezy phlegm in throat, a red tongue with greasy coating and a slippery pulse. Shaoshang (LU 11), Shangyang (LI 1), Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Yifeng 9TE 17), Cuanzhu (BL 20), Jiuwei (CV 15), Shangwan (CV 13), Zhongwan (CV 12), Jianli (CV 11), Xiawan (CV 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Yongquan (KI 1), Yinbai (SP 1) and Lidui (ST 45) were selected. The manipulation of reducing prior to reinforcing was given. One-finger pushing manipulation was applied on every acupoint for 9 degrees. The symptoms were alleviated after one treatment. After 6 h, another treatment was given and the patient was cured.