Acupuncture Can Relieve Postoperative Hiccups
Postoperative hiccups are common in surgical patients. Some experience repeated episodes, causing great discomfort; others react severely, even rupturing surgical incisions. Associate Professor Zhao Ningxia from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, has effectively relieved such patients using acupuncture.
Hiccups, commonly known as burping, are medically termed diaphragmatic spasm, and in TCM, called “stomach qi reversal.” Occasional hiccups are normal physiological phenomena, but persistent hiccups or uncontrollable hiccups after surgery indicate pathological conditions.
In the past two years, Zhao Ningxia has treated 110 postoperative hiccup patients: 63 males, 47 females; ages ranging from 20 to 70. Among them, 50 underwent gastric surgery, 58 had hepatobiliary surgery, and 2 had intestinal surgery. Using TCM methods to descend rebellious qi and stop vomiting, combined with ear acupoint seed pressing, she achieved satisfactory results in all cases. Patients experienced reduced pain and smoother recovery. Reports indicate this method is also effective for other functional hiccups.