Introduction
Sudden hiccups are one of the most annoying bodily reactions that disrupts your daily life. Hiccups that won’t go away even after drinking water or holding your breath. This occurs due to involuntary diaphragm spasms, and in traditional Chinese medicine, we can quickly relieve it by applying acupressure to specific acupoints to calm the nerves.
5 Effective Acupoints for Hiccups
1. Neiguan — PC6
Location: About 2 cun (3cm) above the inner wrist crease toward the elbow, in the depression between two tendons (palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis tendons)
Benefits: Relieves nervous hiccups, gastrointestinal discomfort, and stress-related spasms. Directly calms the nervous system through the pericardium meridian.
Pressure technique: Find the Neiguan point with the thumb of the opposite hand, then press for 3 seconds and rest for 2 seconds, repeating 10 times. Proceed slowly with warm hands.
2. Tiantu — CV22
Location: In the center of the front of the neck, in the hollow at the top of the breastbone (sternal notch). It’s the depression at the base of the neck above the collarbones.
Benefits: Regulates breathing to directly stabilize irregular diaphragm spasms. Quickly relieves tension in the lungs and airways.
Pressure technique: Place your index and middle fingers together on the Tiantu point, then apply gentle circular acupressure. Maintain gentle, consistent pressure without pressing too hard.
3. Geshu — BL17
Location: Below the midline of the back, 1.5 cun lateral to the point below the 7th thoracic vertebra prominence (the bone that protrudes when you lower your head)
Benefits: Stimulates the nerves directly above the diaphragm to calm spasms. It’s the most direct acupoint for relieving chest nerve tension.
Pressure technique: While lying down, place a tennis ball or acupressure tool below the Geshu point and slowly apply pressure with the weight of your back. Alternatively, have someone press with their thumb for 5 seconds and rest, repeating 10 times.
4. Shangwan — CV13
Location: On the midline of the abdomen, 5 cun (approximately 7.5cm) above the navel. It’s the midpoint between the epigastrium and navel.
Benefits: Normalizes stomach function and promotes digestion, eliminating gastric irritation, which is the root cause of hiccups.
Pressure technique: While lying down, find the Shangwan point with your thumb, press for 5 seconds, then rest for 2 seconds. Repeat 10 times while breathing slowly.
5. Zusanli — ST36
Location: 3 cun (approximately 4.5cm) below the knee, on the outer edge of the tibia (shinbone). It’s located about four finger widths below the outer knee.
Benefits: Activates whole-body energy, stabilizes the nervous system, and improves digestive function. Effective for fundamental improvement of nervous hiccups.
Pressure technique: While sitting, find Zusanli with your thumb, press firmly for 5 seconds and rest for 2 seconds, repeating 10 times.
5-Minute Self-Care Routine
Golden timing for hiccup acupressure: Starting immediately when symptoms begin is the most effective. Proceed in the following order:
Step 1 (1 minute): Acupressure on PC6 Neiguan on both hands, 10 times each
Step 2 (1 minute): CV22 Tiantu point with gentle circular motions for 30 seconds
Step 3 (2 minutes): BL17 Geshu point with deep breathing, 10 times
Step 4 (1 minute): CV13 Shangwan point, 10 gentle presses
Throughout the entire process, maintain deep, slow abdominal breathing and avoid applying excessive force to your body. Drinking warm ginger tea or lukewarm water after acupressure enhances the effect.