Some bodily functions are harmless but can be painfully awkward in the wrong setting—hiccups top that list. One moment, you’re calm, and the next, you’re spasming mid-sentence in a quiet meeting or just before a big speech. Most people have their go-to hacks—chugging water, holding their breath, or even asking a friend to startle them.
There’s a far more elegant option rooted in the body’s energy system: Qi Abode (Qi She, ST11), an acupoint near your clavicle. Beyond its ability to quickly settle hiccups, it offers additional benefits when your system goes a little haywire.
Why Qi She Matters
Qi She was first documented in the “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing” (“A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”), a foundational text in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In its name, “abode” signifies a source, and qi in Chinese can mean both “vital energy” and “air.” Positioned along the Stomach meridian, Qi She is thought to draw in Heaven Qi—a form of clean, external energy—and direct it into the meridian.
Qi She’s Practical Power
Qi She is best known in daily practice for its ability to stop stubborn hiccups, especially those that don’t respond to conventional tricks. It works by restoring the proper flow of qi in cases where the stomach energy, in TCM terms, is rebellious or moving upward. This condition can cause hiccups, nausea, acid reflux, or even vomiting.
It’s also valuable for soothing throat issues, especially when inflammation or swelling is involved. Given its position near the upper airway, Qi She is often stimulated to relieve irritation that affects breathing, swallowing, or speaking.
Modern Support: Clinical Uses in Emergency Care
While it may not yet be standard practice in hospitals, Qi She is beginning to appear in integrative care protocols.
In a clinical study involving stroke patients, doctors compared two types of acupuncture: Yuan-source point acupuncture and conventional syndrome-based needling. Qi She (ST11) was used specifically in emergency respiratory situations. When patients showed signs of respiratory failure, Qi She was stimulated. The group that received targeted acupuncture—including Qi She—had significantly better recovery rates, with a 95.48 percent effectiveness, compared to the control group at 61.03 percent. The use of Qi She in these moments wasn’t random—its proximity to the airway and its ability to regulate qi and breath made it a vital player in these interventions.
How to Locate and Stimulate Qi She
To locate the Qi She acupoint, start by identifying the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Turn your head to the side as far as possible. The long muscle running down the side of your neck is what you’re looking for. Feel for the area where this muscle connects to the collarbone. Gently palpate the region until you find a slightly sore or tender spot; this indicates that you’ve located the acupoint. Qi She is a bilateral point, meaning there is one on each side of your neck.
How to Stimulate Qi She for Maximum Effect
- For hiccups: Press firmly on one side for five to 10 seconds, release for three seconds, and repeat for one to three minutes.
- To regulate stomach qi: Massage in gentle circles using your index finger or thumb for one to three minutes on each side.
- For long-term support: Apply an herbal patch overnight.
- Advanced support: Consult a TCM professional for acupuncture or moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy with dried mugwort)—but exercise caution due to the point’s location near the airways.
Precautions
Postpone stimulating this acupoint if you have recent neck injuries or inflamed tissue in the area. Always use natural, nonirritating products for herbal patches, especially if your skin is sensitive.
Make Qi She Part of Your Preventive Routine
For issues like reflux, nausea, or chronic stomach conditions, Qi She deserves a place in your self-care routine. It acts as a preventative measure to normalize the flow of vital energy in your stomach meridian, providing long-term comfort. And when those hiccups strike, you’ll know exactly what to do—with a calm press of the finger instead of a mad dash for water or a fear-based fix.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 3 July 2025
