Pediatric hiccup is often sporadic and generally resolves on its own without treatment. However, if hiccups persist and show signs of worsening, parents may choose to seek traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) examination. TCM uses massage techniques on meridians and acupoints to regulate the body. Let's take a look at how TCM massage can help with pediatric hiccups.
Causes and Mechanism of Pediatric Hiccups
The occurrence of hiccups is mainly due to the upward movement of gastric qi. The stomach is located in the middle burner and connects to the chest. It should descend smoothly. However, improper diet, excessive consumption of cold or spicy food, emotional stress, prolonged liver fire due to anger, deficiency of spleen yang, phlegm obstruction, or stomach yin being scorched by heat can all cause the stomach qi to not descend properly, resulting in hiccups.
Basic TCM Massage Techniques for Pediatric Hiccups
Treatment principle: Harmonize the middle, descend the rebellious qi, and stop the hiccups.
Acupoints: Quepen, Tanzhong, Zhongwan, Piyu, Geyu, and Geyu.
Massage techniques:
1. The child lies supine, and the massager sits on the right side. Start by kneading the Quepen and Tanzhong acupoints for about 2 minutes, then massage the abdomen clockwise for about 10 minutes, focusing on the Zhongwan acupoint.
2. The child lies prone, and the massager sits on the right side. Use the finger zen technique to treat the bladder meridian on the back, from top to bottom, three times, focusing on the Geyu, Piyu, and Geyu acupoints for about 5 minutes.
3. Knead the Geyu, Piyu, and Geyu acupoints, using the degree of sourness and distension as a guide. Finally, rub both sides of the ribs to produce a warm sensation.
Differentiation and Addition/Subtraction TCM Massage Techniques for Pediatric Hiccups
Cold and Coolness in the Stomach
Symptoms: Slow and forceful hiccups, discomfort in the epigastric region, alleviated by warmth and aggravated by cold, reduced appetite, no thirst, white and moist tongue coating, slow and weak pulse.
Treatment principle: Warm the middle and dispel coldness.
Massage techniques: Extend the time of abdominal massage, add massage of Qihai acupoint, apply vibratory technique to the Zhongwan region, and rub the bladder meridian on both sides of the back, using warmth as a guide.
Heat and Dryness in the Stomach
Symptoms: Loud and forceful hiccups, continuously and forcefully expelled, foul breath, restlessness, thirst, red face, yellow tongue coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Clear heat and move the bowels.
Massage techniques: Add massage of Tian Shu, Da Heng, and Fu Jie acupoints to clear heat, knead the Large Intestine Yu, Ba Liao, and Zusanli acupoints, using sourness and distension as a guide.
Qi Stagnation and Phlegm Obstruction
Symptoms: Continuous hiccups, distention and oppression in the chest and hypochondrium, often triggered by depression and anger, slightly relieved by emotional relaxation, occasional nausea, poor appetite, dizziness, thin and greasy tongue coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Descend qi and transform phlegm.
Massage techniques: Add massage of Zhongfu, Yunmen, Tanzhong, Zhangmen, and Qimen acupoints, knead the Lung Yu and Liver Yu acupoints for half a minute each, press Neiguan, Zusanli, Fenglong acupoints, using sourness and distension as a guide, half a minute for each acupoint.
Deficiency of Vital Qi
Symptoms: Low and weak hiccups, inability to sustain the hiccup sound, cold hands and feet, reduced appetite, fatigue, pale complexion, pale tongue with white coating, weak and feeble pulse.
Treatment principle: Warm and tonify the spleen and stomach, harmonize the middle, and descend the rebellious qi.
Massage techniques: Extend the time of abdominal massage, add massage of Qihai and Guanyuan acupoints, apply vibratory technique to Qihai and Guanyuan acupoints to produce a warm sensation, apply rubbing technique to the bladder meridian and Du meridian on the back, add rubbing of Guanyuan Yu, Qihai Yu, Shenyu, and Mingmen acupoints, using warmth as a guide.
Nursing Care for Pediatric Hiccups
1. Avoid consuming stimulating foods such as raw, cold, and spicy food.
2. Pay attention to keeping warm and avoid cold stimulation.
3. Maintain emotional stability. Children who are feeling down are more prone to hiccups, so parents must provide a warm and joyful living environment for their children.
