Question

My daughter has been frequently hiccuping since half a year ago, especially after meals or when she’s feeling upset. Local hospital checks have not found any issues. What could be the cause of her hiccups?

Answer

Western medicine believes that hiccups are caused by the sudden contraction of the diaphragm, while traditional Chinese medicine suggests that they are due to irregular diet, weak constitution, and food retention leading to upward movement of stomach qi. It is recommended to pay attention to diet, avoid unfavorable factors, and try pressing the Tianchu acupoint (located in the depression above the sternum, below the throat, and between the clavicles) for two to three minutes.